Aurora couldn’t help but laugh. “You really are impressive. You can spin lies out of thin air without even blinking.”

She gave a mocking shrug. “If this were a contest for talking nonsense, I’d happily admit defeat. You win.”

Tessa froze, completely speechless, her words caught in her throat.

Grace glanced between them, her head pounding. How had her daughters turned into this, like sworn enemies instead of family? In her mind, they were supposed to work together, one running the business, the other managing the home, helping Walton Corporation grow stronger. But now, all they did was fight, bicker, and tear each other apart.

Not wanting to watch them clash any longer, Grace abruptly changed the subject. “Aurora, why did you come back today?” Lucas wasn’t with her, which only made Grace more puzzled.

Aurora’s lips curved into a cold smile. Of course, that question again. Even her own mother sounded just like Tessa. So, what, now that she was married, this house wasn’t her home anymore?

“So if I’m here, it must mean I have a reason, right?” she asked evenly. “If I didn’t, would that mean I’m not welcome in my own family’s house?”

Grace shifted uncomfortably under her daughter’s steady gaze. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just… you’re married now. It’s better to let us know ahead of time when you plan to come.” Grace turned to Tessa and said, “Just like your sister mentioned, if you’d told us ahead of time, I could’ve had the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes to welcome you home.”

Aurora inwardly rolled her eyes. Talking to someone as self-serving as her mother was nothing but a waste of time and energy. She knew exactly what kind of person Grace was—it had nothing to do with care or affection. The so-called warm welcome was nothing more than empty words. Thinking it over, Aurora realized her mother was only trying to placate her, like feeding her a sugar-coated lie.

“That’s not necessary,” Aurora said flatly. “The dishes you arrange probably wouldn’t be the ones I like anyway.”

Grace paused, speechless. “Do we really have to talk to each other like this?”

Aurora gave a sharp, humorless laugh. “I’ve said it before. This situation between us isn’t something I wanted. You’re the one who made it this way.”

Grace was about to respond, but Aurora raised her hand to stop her. “I didn’t come back today to waste my breath arguing. I came to talk about something important.”

The moment she said that, Tessa’s stomach tightened. Something about Aurora’s tone made her uneasy, as if trouble was about to come crashing down.