Aurora had work at thepany the next day.


    With her mother out ofmission, she needed to put in even more effort.


    Someone had to hold things together.


    Otherwise, she’d never feel at <b>ease</b>.


    Lucas sat beside her, pulled a few shrimp into her bowl, and started peeling them one by one.


    “Eat more. The dishes actually look pretty decent.”


    Aurora picked up a slice of pork and ced it on his te.


    “You eat too. You don’t have to fuss over me the whole time”


    Back <b>and </b>forth they went–him tending to her, her returning the gesture.


    The whole scene was tender and full of warmth.


    Meanwhile, just beyond the door, Wendy stood hidden, peeking through the narrow gap.


    Those dishes were all made by her helper, Susan Cooke.


    She had never done anything to the food.


    Her little dinner setup wasn’t meant to harm them–just to mark the beginning of their end.


    Because this was going to be theirst meal together.


    And it had to mean something, especially since she had made it happen<b>. </b>


    That <b>was </b>what made it special.


    Watching the two of them eating so happily, Wendy actually felt a strange sense of satisfaction.


    “Go on, enjoy your <b>dinner </b>while you can,” she muttered with a twisted smile.


    “Because it’s thest one you’ll be having together. From now on, Lucas will be eating with me.”


    The thought made her lips curl further, her smile growing eerily bright.


    Yes, this was their farewell dinner.


    And just like that, Wendy convinced herself she was being considerate.


    After all, she had thought of Aurora’s feelings, hadn’t she?


    Over the past two days, Keh had been messaging her too, asking if she needed help.


    If she did, he was ready to fly back immediately from <b>overseas</b>.


    After all, she was his only sister. It was only natural for him to worry.


    On top of everything, Keh had been growing increasingly uneasy about Lucas‘ attitude toward his sistertely.


    He was genuinely worried that if Lucas ever got truly fed up, he might just walk away from the whole situation.


    And then what? What would happen to his sister left alone in Ravenshore?


    His parents could easily pull his position back at any moment.


    Just the thought of it made Keh even more determined to keep checking in on <b>Wendy</b>.


    +25 <b>BONUS </b>


    At first, Wendy still managed to answer his messages patiently, insisting she could handle everything on her own.


    But Keh never quite believed her.


    He kept asking, again and again, if she was really doing okay by herself in Ravenshore.


    After hearing it one too many times, Wendy started to get annoyed.


    She even found herself growing increasingly irritated just looking at her brother’s name on the screen.


    And so, she simply blocked him.


    Once the time <b>was </b>right–once she and Lucas were finally together–she would unblock Keh.


    Until then, she didn’t see the need to exin anything.


    She was an adult now. What exactly was he so worried about?


    The whole back–and–forth was exhausting and pointless.


    Keh had been about to send another message when the screen shed with a red exmation mark


    He stared at it for a long moment, stunned.


    Then his face darkened.


    His temper red in an <b>instant</b>.


    He hurled the phone to the floor, and it shattered into pieces.


    How perfect.


    Apparently, the Shaws family had produced a woman with some “real backbone.”


    His own sister had the guts to block him.


    All this time–she was the first person who’d ever dared treat him like this.


    So that was it.


    His precious sister had gone abroad ande back with a whole new sense of self.


    Brave enough to go toe–to–toe with him now.


    “Alright, Wendy. You’ve got nerve.”