But so what?


    Right now, Grace’s affection belonged to her.


    In this house, if someone wanted to rise or simply have more attention, the power to decide always rested with Grace.


    That was exactly why Tessa had gone further than Aurora–she had seen and understood


    more.


    Grace might be in good health now, focused onpleting projects, but that alone didn’t mean much.


    Winning her over was what truly mattered.


    As for everything else, Tessa knew when to hold her tongue.


    She understood the importance of timing.


    With a soft smile, she said, “Thank you, Mom. Your cooking is amazing. When I was overseas, I missed these meals so much.”


    Hearing such praise from the daughter she adored, Grace beamed with joy.


    She added more food to Tessa’s te, her eyes crinkling with delight. “If you like it, eat as much as you want. Next time, I’ll make more for you.”


    “Okay, I knew you were the best, Mom.”


    The two of them shared a warm moment,pletely forgetting about Aurora, who had just walked out alone.


    Standing off to the side, Arnold couldn’t shake the unease in his chest.


    Hadn’t those two gone a bit too far?


    Especially Grace–Aurora was her own daughter.


    How could she treat her like that?


    They were enjoying a cozy meal, while Aurora hae home full of hope, only to be met with cold indifference.


    Arnold took a deep breath, frustration pressing in his throat.


    He wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.


    He was, after all, just the butler.


    +25 BCNUS


    One wrong sentence, and he might not have a ce in this house anymore.


    He’dsted this long for a reason.


    He knew how to keep quiet and read the room.


    He knew exactly which things could be spoken and which things couldn’t.


    Arnold pressed his lips together, then stepped quietly to the side, bowing his head slightly.


    He couldn’t bear to keep watching the mother and daughter dine so cheerfully.


    They were so full of joy–but what about Aurora, who had just left?


    What was she feeling now?


    As for Aurora, she felt utterly ridiculous the moment she stepped out of the house.


    She hadn’t expected that after lying in a hospital bed for over a month, after being the victim, the ones who had harmed her would still be sitting with her mother,ughing and eating like nothing had happened.


    Had her mother ever truly loved her?


    Or had the dream always been right? Was she just a pawn all along?


    It felt as if every bit of hatred her mother had ever harbored toward her father had been poured onto her.


    And yet hadn’t Grace once said that the grudges of the previous generation had nothing to do with her?


    Then what did this mean now?


    A cold, bitter smile tugged at Aurora’s lips.


    She couldn’t stop reying the scene she had just walked in on.


    Stepping into that living room, she’d looked like a fool and an outsider crashing a picture- perfect family, only to ruin the moment.


    She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box.


    It was a gift she’d prepared for her mother.


    The bracelet Grace always wore had been on her wrist for years.


    Aurora thought it was time to give her a new one


    After all, with Tessa no longer around, Grace must’ve felt lonely, and Aurora had nned to visit her more often.