She cleared her throat and finally began repeating the words she had carefully prepared.


    “Mom, don’t be upset. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that I didn’t know how to start.”


    Grace immediately sat up straighter, her back rigid, and her tone now tight with barely restrained frustration.


    What was wrong with Tessa?


    All this time and still not a single coherent sentence?


    Grace hadpletely run out of patience. “If you’re not going to speak, I’m hanging up.”


    “Wait, Mom!”


    Tessa quickly jumped in, watching her timing.


    <b>25 </b>BUNUS


    “Mom, I was so worried about Aurora, and I didn’t know what else to do. That’s why I slipped out and came overseas without telling anyone.”


    Gracetched onto the inconsistency in her words. “And how exactly did you know what country she’s in?”


    Tessa’s heart skipped a beat.


    Of course, Grace would catch that.


    She was sharp as ever, quick to pick up the w, and even quicker to throw it back.


    But Tessa didn’t panic.


    She shifted gears smoothly.


    “Mom, with how fast information and travel work these days, if <b>I </b>really want to find someone, I can. You know that.


    “Besides, I genuinely was worried something might’ve happened to her. Isn’t finding her as soon as possible the best thing?”


    Hearing that, Grace didn’t press further.


    She knew all too well that her daughter was clever and sly like a fox


    Given enough time in conversation<b>, </b>most would find themselves led precisely where she intended, often without even realizing <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    That was what made her dangerous.


    Still, Grace didn’t have the energy to untangle all that right now.


    “Fine. So, what you’re saying is–you know Aurora’s current condition, right?”


    That was all she cared about now.


    She didn’t want to chase down half–truths or deal with maniption.


    It had been too long since she’dst seen Aurora.


    And more than anything, all Grace felt now was guilt.


    Ever since Tessa was a child, her delicate health had consumed so much of Grace’s care and attention that Aurora was inevitably left in the shadows.


    Grace had always been aware of that.


    But what could she do? Both daughters were her flesh and blood.


    She couldn’t just stand by and watch the weaker one wither.


    So, in the end, it was the healthier child, Aurora, who bore the weight of that imbnce.


    If Megan knew about this<b>, </b>she wouldn’t hesitate to confront Grace


    What kind of logic was that?


    Just because Aurora had a strong constitution, she deserved to be overlooked?


    And it wasn’t like Aurora hadn’t contributed.


    She’d given so much to thepany, quietly carrying far more than anyone realized.


    Why should she be the one forced to make all the sacrifices?


    And if Grace had truly failed her–who would step in to make it right?


    Thankfully, Megan didn’t know.


    Because if she did, there was no way she’d be standing on Grace’s side.


    At that moment, Megan was still caught in her own internal struggle, unsure how to even begin exining Aurora’s condition to Grace.


    It wasn’t just bad, it was frightening.


    They’de all the way overseas, and Aurora still hadn’t woken up.


    Megan was genuinely terrified of what that might mean.


    Meanwhile, Tessa was still on the phone, rying the fact that Aurora remained unconscious.


    “So that punk Lucas wouldn’t let you see her?” Grace asked.


    Tessa nodded. “Exactly. And Mom, I can’t shake the feeling that my brother–inw is hiding something from us, including Aurora.”


    That caught Grace’s attention. “And how did you know about this?


    A


    <b>2/3 </b>