"I’m just worried my sister might take it the wrong way," Tessa said softly. "I don’t even know if she wants anyone to know about it."

Grace’s expression hardened. "I’m her mother. So, what if I know?"

"I know, I know," Tessa quickly soothed. "I just mean… if I’m aware of it too, then if she ever brings it up, I’ll know what to say."

Seeing the sincerity in her daughter’s face, Grace hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to tell the truth. "Actually, I’ve already spoken to her. I told her everything."

"What?"

Tessa shot up from the sofa, panic flashing across her face. "Then she’ll think I’m the one who told you! It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything."

"Tessa, why are you panicking?" Grace frowned. "I’m Aurora’s mother. Don’t I have the right to know who my son-in-law really is?"

"Mom, that’s not what I meant," Tessa said quickly, her voice trembling with guilt. "It’s just… it would’ve been better if she told you herself. Now that I’ve let it slip, won’t she think I was meddling?"

Grace finally understood what her daughter was worried about.

“It’s alright,” she said gently. “You don’t have to worry about that. Aurora didn’t say anything. She didn’t even react.”

"Really?" Tessa blinked, disbelief flickering in her eyes. It was as if she couldn’t believe Aurora would stay so calm.

"You can trust me," Grace said. "We met yesterday at the café."

Tessa feigned surprise. "Oh, so you’ve already seen her."

"I’m her mother. Is there something wrong with meeting my own daughter?"

"No, of course not," Tessa said with a lowered gaze, her tone soft but cautious. "I was just curious. Did you only talk about the banquet?"

Inside, though, she was seething. "Why is this woman so sensitive? Can’t I ask a simple question anymore? Am I not her daughter too? As expected, the moment Aurora has power and influence, everyone flocks to her and I stop mattering altogether."

Tessa had long since seen her mother for who she really was. She understood her far too well—clear as day, like looking into a mirror.

Grace understood what Tessa was really getting at. She chose her words carefully, glossing over most of what had happened the previous day.

"I just told her that when she has time, she should bring Lucas home for dinner. After all, they’re both family. Inviting them for a family meal shouldn’t be a problem."

"Of course not," Tessa replied with a bright, eager smile. "I’d be thrilled if my sister and brother-in-law came back. I actually have a lot of things I’d like to ask her about."

"That’s good," Grace said with a faint nod. "You can learn from your sister, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself."

"Don’t worry, Mom. I know my limits," Tessa answered cheerfully.

Her smile looked warm and pleasant, but who could tell how much of it was real and how much was pretense?

Standing off to the side, Arnold watched the exchange, an uneasy feeling creeping up his spine. Was Tessa really being so kind toward Aurora? If that were true, then what had all those smiles been before—just a mask, or something far more calculating? Lost in thought, Arnold happened to look up and met Tessa’s gaze directly.