Grace’s attitude toward her had changed drastically, so much <b>so </b>that it felt like she was facing an entirely
“different persont
This time, Aurora was determined not to let the opportunity slip away.
She had to hold on tight and make sure things didn’t end up the way they had before.
Grace nced at Aurora, who now seemed a little more obedient than before.
There were things she wanted to <b>say</b>, but the words stuck in her throat.
Some things and people were best left to be changed by time.
But the matter with Tessa….
Just as she opened her mouth, Grace noticed Lucas and Leopard standing nearby.
Her gaze dimmed, and in the end, she <b>said </b>nothing.
After all, there were outsiders in the room.
Tessa was the daughter she had raised from childhood.
No matter what had happened, she didn’t want to discuss such things in front of others. What if it affected Aurora’s emotions<b>? </b>
Aurora caught on quickly, following her mother’s line of sight toward Lucas and Leonard.
Lucas and Leonard exchanged a nce–Aurora’s meaning was clear.
Lucas felt a stab of difort.
They were family, weren’t they<b>? </b><b>So </b>why did it suddenly feel like he was the outsider? If anyone should be asked to leave, it should’ve been Leonard.
But Lucas had the sense to read the room.
He spoke up first. “Now that Mom’s awake, you should spend some time with her. Mr. Knight and I will head out and see if we can find something light for her to eat.”
“Okay, Get something gentle on the stomach.”
Lucas <b>gave </b><b>a </b><b>small </b>nod in acknowledgment<b>, </b>and the two of them left together.
For <b>once</b>, Leonard caught on without needing it spelled out.
He didn’t argue or make a scene.
It wasn’t until they stepped outside that he gave Lucas <b>a </b><b>sideways </b>nce, his tone tinged with amusement. Didn’t expect you to be so perceptive.”
Lucas simply smiled without replying.
Leonard rolled his eyes. “Clearly, your mother–inw just thought you were the unnecessary <b>one</b>.”
“You say that,” Lucas said with a shrug. “But you’re not exactly essential here either, are you?”
“I only stepped in because I thought it’d be rude for a guest like you to be asked to leave alone. So, I <b>came </b>with you, out of courtesy.”
Chapter 412.
Leonard opened his mouth, then closed it again.
He couldn’t argue. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, tacas had a point.
Lucas had a ring and a title he was officially part of the family.
Leonard, on the other hand, had nothing
Left with no choice, Leonard followed Lucas reluctantly toward the cafeteria.
Back inside the hospital room.
After the two men had left, Aurora turned to Grace with a gentle smile. “Mom, they’re gone now. If there’s something you want to <b>say</b>, you can tell me directly.”
Grace looked slightly surprised. “You picked up on that?”
Aurora smiled knowingly. “Of course. I’m not that clueless
“And besides, I figured you wanted to have a private chat<b>, </b>probably not something to share while they were around.”
Grace’s expression softened with quiet relief.
But the moment she thought of Tessa, her mood shifted again.
“It’s nothing serious,” she said after a pause<b>. </b>“I just wanted to talk to you about your sister.”
Aurora’s hand paused mid–slice, the apple peel curling into herp.
Her smile froze.
“What is it you want to say, Mom?”
Seeing her daughter’s enthusiasm fade, <b>Grace </b>hesitated.
Maybe she shouldn’t bring up something so disheartening
But if she didn’t say it, would the rift between her daughters ever heal?
Grace didn’t want things to stay this way. She was getting older. In the years toe, all she had were her two daughters–leaning on each other.
Chapter