Chapter 1026

Carol frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“He’s already like that–what could he possibly say? You’re just imagining things.”

Seeing her reaction, Albert knew she had no idea.

In the end, he simply shook his head.

“Alright, then. It’s nothing.”

Carol was about to press further when Albert cut her off with a slow, deliberate nod.

“Don’t worry. Our son’s not going down that easily. There’s got to be another way. There always is…”

Albert had returned to his usual calm and steady self.

Clearly, he truly believed in Julian.

Carol didn’t understand, but as a housewife, she simply followed along.

Since her husband was out there fighting for their future, all she could do was hold down the fort.

Whether what Albert said was true or not, she wanted to believe it.

After all, he was their only son.

Grace and Tessa left together, sitting side by side in the car with their arms linked.

Tessa rested her head gently on her mother’s shoulder.

In a soft voice, she said, “Mom… it’s all going to be over soon, right?”

Hearing those words made Grace’s heart ache even more.

She lifted her arm, wrapping it tighter around Tessa’s shoulders.

“Silly girl, of course it’s over.”

Her voice carried warmth and sorrow. “I know you’ve been through a lot.

“But don’t worry. As long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone hurt you again. No matter what happens, you can always come to me.”

Tessa nodded with emotion in her eyes. “I know, Mom.”

Looking at the gentle, obedient Tessa beside her, Grace felt a wave of comfort settle in her chest.

But no matter how calm she appeared, Aurora’s face surfaced in her mind.

She hadn’t visited her, but just hearing the butler’s descriptions was enough to break her heart.

Her once radiant and driven daughter… had really spent a month broken in that hospital bed?

But if Tessa truly had a hand in what happened–what then?

Grace closed her eyes, unsure how to even begin asking.

She already knew what answer she’d get.

Of course it wouldn’t be her.

Or, it wasn’t intentional. Or maybe Julian had manipulated her.

The thought made her heart sink.

Why was it that even when she knew better, she still chose to protect Tessa?

She understood everything, yet still covered for her–what was she really trying to preserve?

Grace felt a sharp pang in her chest.

She was drifting further and further from the woman she used to be.

But she’d already made her choice, and there was no turning back now.

She had to see it through.

Grace leaned in and whispered in Tessa’s ear, “Tessa, my sweet girl… you must never betray me.”

Tessa blinked, a little caught off guard.

She didn’t understand why her mother would say something like that so suddenly.

Still, she smiled sweetly. “Mom, of course not. I’ll always be on your side.

“I’ll always be your good girl. Don’t overthink things, okay?”

Hearing that, Grace’s inner turmoil eased.

Yes, this daughter she’d raised since birth had always been so warm and caring–what was there to doubt?

And yet…

Something still felt off.

She couldn’t say exactly what it was. Just that it left her uneasy.

Chapter 1027