Chapter 44

Alison and Aurora had always clashed. Whenever possible, Alison would taunt Aurora. Aurora, however, having enjoyed a pleasant breakfast, was in good spirits and merely smirked, casually replying, "Maybe."

Alison, enraged by Aurora's indifference, stamped her foot and muttered, "She's just an unwanted orphan. What's she so smug about? She'll get what's coming to her."

Returning to Class A, Alison planned to tease Aurora by asking Maura if she’d been expelled. To her surprise, the morning study bell rang, and Maura was still absent. Maura never missed class, so Alison, sensing something was amiss, called Maura, but her phone was off.

Alison rushed to the office and asked their homeroom teacher, Ms. Bates, "Ms. Bates, where's Maura? Did she request leave?" Alison knew Maura would have mentioned any absence to her.

Ms. Bates, aware of Alison and Maura's closeness, adjusted her glasses and said, "Mr. Crawford called. Maura's sick and in the hospital."

Alison frowned. "Sick? She was just discharged! Is Aurora cursing her?" Maura had always been healthy, and Alison couldn't help but notice Maura's two hospitalizations since Aurora's return.

Remembering Aurora's previous insult to her in front of Frank, Ms. Bates's disdain showed. Impulsively, she blurted, "That Aurora… who knows what kind of virus she's carrying?"

Alison agreed. "She probably infected Maura with something." She vowed to thoroughly "cleanse" Aurora at the first opportunity.

Meanwhile, Aurora, unaware of the gossip, taught her Class F students. Their bet with Class A remained a strong motivator, even days later. Erik had even hired a tutor, much to his parents' delight.

After school, Margaret lingered, and seeing no Crawford family car, happily linked arms with Aurora, attempting to persuade her into her car. "Come on, Rory. Ride with me."

Aurora deftly withdrew her arm. "I'll take a taxi."

She had previously ridden with the Crawfords to avoid Stacy’s schemes and borrowed the McLeans' car when necessary. With Maura hospitalized and unlikely to cause trouble, Aurora declined Margaret's offer.

Margaret, about to protest, was halted by Aurora's declaration: "If you don't leave now, I'm not shopping with you tomorrow." Tomorrow was their planned outing.

Margaret, pouting, got into the car, gazing at Aurora with pleading eyes. "Rory, call me first thing! I'll be up really early."

Aurora hummed in response and, as usual, hailed a taxi back to Crawford Manor. With Maura hospitalized and Stacy and Jaxon visiting her, the manor was unusually quiet. Sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating the vibrant, blooming garden.

Aurora settled under a sun umbrella, sighing contentedly. A drink and cake were within reach; the sweet treat melted deliciously in her mouth.

"Who knew Stacy could enjoy herself at home," she murmured, savoring a large piece of cake, eyes closed.

At dinner, Emma mentioned Maura's illness. "Ms. Crawford, Maura's sick. Aren't you going to the hospital?"

Aurora continued eating calmly. "I just got out of school. Can't I relax?" She mused that Maura probably wouldn't want to see her.

Emma urged, "Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have been at the hospital since last night. You really should check on Maura." The manor's tension was palpable.

Aurora calmly replied, "If she's sick, she should see a doctor. I'm not one."

Emma's response was interrupted by the elevator arriving. Stacy emerged, furious. "Aurora, you dare come back?"

Stacy lunged at Aurora, but Aurora caught her hand. Stacy tried again, but Aurora intercepted that hand as well, coldly saying, "Who do you think you are, hitting me?" She then shoved Stacy backward into the dining table.

"You bitch!" Stacy raged. The sight of Aurora, healthy and seemingly unconcerned while Maura lay ill, fueled her fury.

Jaxon, entering, saw Aurora shoving Stacy and exploded. "She's your mother! How dare you?"

Aurora, showing no remorse, replied, "A stepmother doesn't deserve to be called my mother."

Stacy, overjoyed at this, wept dramatically, clinging to Jaxon. She claimed she’d been kind to Aurora, showering her with expensive clothes, more than Maura had ever received. She insisted Aurora had always been treated equally to Maura, implying her generosity was unparalleled.