“Besides, I couldn’t bear to treat you that way, so even if she’s your mother, she has no right to.”

Aurora’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t expected him to say something like that.

In the world she grew up in, everyone valued propriety. No matter the situation, status and hierarchy came first. Who would ever dare to speak so recklessly, the way Lucas just had?

In her circle, a parent’s attitude carried enormous weight. Most people there had built their lives entirely on their parents’ backing. To abandon her inheritance the way she had was nearly unheard of.

“Do you really mean that?” Aurora asked in disbelief.

Lucas pulled back just enough to look her squarely in the eyes, his expression deadly serious. “Look into my eyes. Do I look like I’m joking? In my world, you are always the most important. No one is allowed to hurt you, not even me.”

His gaze was so clear and steady it felt like it cut right through her, leaving her nowhere to hide.

In those eyes, Aurora saw herself reflected – eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

So there really was someone who loved her this openly, without hesitation. Someone willing to embrace every part of her, the good and the bad. Something even her own mother had never given her.

The realization left her reeling.

Lucas noticed the tears glistening in her eyes and grew anxious. “What’s this? Why are you crying?”

He lifted his long, pale fingers and gently brushed the tears from the corners of her eyes.

For that moment, the world seemed to fall utterly silent. It was as if only the two of them existed in the courtyard.

“Wow, how sweet!”

A woman’s voice, tinged with barely restrained excitement, rang out nearby. Just from the sound, Aurora knew instantly who it was.

And in an instant, the tender atmosphere shattered. Aurora pulled back, the smile fading from her face, helplessly putting some distance between them.

Lucas’ expression, however, had gone dark.

Both of them turned toward the sound of the voice. Only then did they realize–Megan and Ian hadn’t gone far at all.

The two had been hiding beneath a tree, quietly watching everything unfold. Every gesture, every word between Aurora and Lucas had fallen right into their eyes.

The thought made Aurora’s vision go black with frustration. She’d thought she had hidden things well, only for Megan to betray her like this.

Aurora strode toward her. Only then did Megan realize they’d been caught. She tugged at Ian, ready to flee.

But Ian didn’t budge, sighing helplessly. “Miss Megan, it’s too late. They’ve already seen us.”

“Ugh, how could this happen?” Megan tilted her head back in exaggerated despair. She hadn’t expected their guard to be so sharp. Suddenly they were discovered, and she wasn’t ready for it at all.

Aurora stopped in front of her, lips curved in a half-smile. “Megan, did you have fun watching in that corner?”

Megan scratched her head, awkwardness written all over her face. “It’s…fine, I guess. Fine.”

Then, with a loud huff, she blurted out, “Oh, come on! You two are so slow. If it were me, I’d have kissed eight hundred times by now. And you? Still nothing?”

She shook her head dramatically, sighing. “Honestly, what a bore.”

“Megan!”