“After so many years, is this how I brought her up?”

Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Who knows? Either way, from now on she definitely won’t be getting that much allowance. If we don’t dock her for three months, she’ll never learn her lesson.”

“Don’t worry, honey, I know that,” Robert promised seriously.

But Eleanor shot him a glare. “I’m talking about you too. Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been secretly slipping her money. This time, I’m not just controlling her, I’m controlling you as well.”

Robert immediately pulled a long face. “Ah, me too? No, please.”

Eleanor firmly pulled her hand away, her face showing no trace of hesitation. “There’s no room for discussion this time.”

“Alright then.” Robert felt wronged, but in his heart he blamed Megan for all of it.

Outside the door, Megan sneezed. She rubbed her nose, a bad feeling creeping over her. She waited at the door for a while longer, but when she realized her parents still weren’t opening it, she finally gave up.

Clearly, this time they had made up their minds not to give her any allowance. Sticking around would be pointless. Megan had already decided—she would never treat Lucas well again. Why was he so petty? He was the one who caused all this, and when it all came to light, he shoved every bit of blame onto her. She only wanted to help Aurora, and even now Megan still didn’t understand—what exactly had she done wrong?

Meanwhile, Aurora returned home and still chose to sleep in a separate room from Lucas. It had only been a day, and even though Aurora had seen his determination to make amends, that didn’t mean she was ready to forgive him—not after he had deceived her for so long. When they got home, Aurora went straight toward the guest room. Even when she saw the anticipation in Lucas’ eyes, it didn’t matter—it did nothing to shake her decision to sleep in a separate room.

After all, that was how things had started between them anyway.

At that, disappointment flickered in Lucas’ gaze.

Forget it, it was his fault to begin with. He should be the one working harder to make things right. Still, he couldn’t help but speak. “If anything happens, call me right away. I know you’re angry, but I hope you’ll give me a chance to make it up to you.”

Aurora, holding the flowers, paused when she heard his words. “Thanks. The flowers are beautiful today.”

Hearing that, Lucas couldn’t help but lift the corners of his lips. He knew Aurora was giving him a chance. And he had to seize it tightly. After deceiving her for so long, even having this one chance was already more than he deserved.

Lucas returned to his room with a faint smile. But when he looked at the empty space, his heart couldn’t help but ache. He already missed the days when Aurora slept beside him. Even so, this was still a good sign—Aurora was willing to give him a chance, and Desmond’s advice was working. Hopefully tomorrow, Desmond would give him an even better plan.

Meanwhile, as Aurora carried the ice-blue roses back to her room, her mind was filled with the image of Lucas’ earnest expression.