Sometimes, even Emma seemed a little jealous.
She pouted slightly. “Dad, howe I didn’t know you were this close with Tessa? Am I, your daughter, getting pushed aside
now?”
Hearing that, Tessa and Nichs exchanged a quick nce, both feeling a jolt of unease.
They clearly hadn’t expected Emma to say something like that.
After all, the three of them used to get along quite well, and everything had felt pretty harmonious.
So, when Emma asked that, it genuinely caught them off guard.
Even Tessa hadn’t expected it, especially after all they’d gone through together as kids,
There was even that whole thing about the watch.
And now, just because Nichs had bought her a few things, Emma was acting this petty?
Tessa’s expression soured.
She hadn’t expected Emma to forget everything so easily.
Back then, she was calling her “bestie” so sweetly.
Now she was turning cold without warning?
Tessa found itughable.
Nichs finally snapped out of it and chuckled as he wrapped an arm around Emma’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, how could you think that? I just appreciate this youngdy, that’s all.”
“Is that really all?”
Emma narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting back and forth between Tessa and Nichs.
At first, she hadn’t thought much of it.
But now, she couldn’t help but feel that maybe the rtionship between those two was just a little too close.
How had she not noticed it before?
Tessa smiled and said, “Emma, we basically grew up together, so finding out that Mr. Lee is actually your dad–it really took me by surprise.
“I honestly never saw iting. But after the shock, I felt nothing but joy.”
Her smile deepened. “Because I think this is truly fate, something never imagined, but it feels meant to be.”
Seeing how thrilled Tessa looked, Emma began to second–guess herself.
They’d known each other since they were young, and Tessa knew her dad too.
Was this really something to be so happy about?
Nichs followed up smoothly, picking up on Tessa’s cue. “Actually, what Tessa said is true. I just found it all so unexpected, like a twist of fate. That’s what made it so special.
“Otherwise, would <b>I </b>care this much if it were someone else?”
Emma<b>, </b>being rather simple–minded to begin with, had only asked out of a moment of jealousy.
But now that she’d figured it out, everything was fine again.
They were still friends after all.
“Alright, I get it now, Dad.”
Emma turned to Tessa with an earnest expression. “I’m sorry, Tessa. I shouldn’t have doubted you. I owe you an apology.”
Seeing Emma look so sincere, Tessa and Nichs exchanged a slightly embarrassed nce.
Tessa was the first to break the awkwardness, pulling Emma into aside hug. “Come <b>on</b>, we’ve been good friends for years. What’s there to apologize for? Besides, I’m already honored to know both of you!”
Hearing that, Emma beamed with happiness.
The two girls linked arms and continued shopping cheerfully.
As for Nichs, he had to admit that he was genuinely impressed with Tessa.
In the past, whenever he tried to find a stepmother for Emma, she always reacted strongly and t–out refused.
But now, with someone closer to her age<b>, </b>things were surprisingly different.
They even had a lot inmon.
It seemed Nichs was genuinely considering keeping Tessa around for the long haul.
Still, since Emma was so fond of her right now, it was better to leave that decision forter.
There was still time.
As long as Tessa remained useful to him, there was no way they’d part ways.
If Aurora ever found out about this, she’d probablyugh out loud.
Of course, he was a businessman. They never make a move unless there was something in it for them.
Everyone knew that unspoken truth.
No one was hoping for kindness or sincerity here.
It was all about leverage.
And the only reason Tessa was willing to be with Nichs was because what he could offer far outweighed anything the Waltons ever could.
That was exactly why she stuck to him so willingly.
Otherwise, knowing Tessa’s personality, Aurora was certain there was no
without a good reason.
There had to be something in it for her.
No one was that na?ve.
They were all adults–no one pretended otherwise.
Everyone knew the game.
way she’d be following around some older man
Aurora, though, found it ridiculous.
A high schooler, getting involved with her ssmate’s da
What kind of power did this man really hold? Was h
How had she never heard of him before?
dad?
truly that influential?
And how did Tessa find out about him?
Just thinking about all of it made Aurora feel like her head was about to explode,
She didn’t even know what was happening to her anymore.
In that moment, Aurora felt with startling rity that it was as if a part of her memory had been stripped away.
But what exactly was it?
<b>She </b>couldn’t figure it out.
After all this time, after reading through so many versions, she still didn’t understand what she was truly here for.
Or maybe–was the universe trying to send her a message?
Aurora clutched her head, the pain nearly splitting her skull<b>, </bpletely lost on what it was she even wanted.
Just then, the thoughts in her mind began to drift like smoke, and the floor beneath her feet started to sway.
Only then did her vision sharpen again.
She opened her eyes and looked around.
It turned out, she was once again back in that strange, teleportation–like passage.
So where was it taking her this time?
Aurora was starting to feel a flicker of anticipation.
But more than that, it was curiosity toward the unknown that stirred inside her.
Where would she end up next?
The question made her heart beat faster with intrigue.
Still, her mind kept drifting back to Nichs.
And his daughter, Emma.
Once she woke up, she would definitely investigate all of it thoroughly–just
And how had Tessa even met him?
Could it really have been through Emma?
But no, that couldn’t be it.
Tessa and Nichs clearly knew each other before the Emma
connection
exactly was this man?
y.
BEMERKE WATERt Tessa found out Nichs
was Emma’s
father there a flicker of surprise on her face.
That alone told Aurora one thing for sure–Tessa had definitely met Nichs long before any of that came to light.
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