Chapter 411

Grace's quiet sobs pulled everyone back to reality. Aurora lowered her head slightly, her voice laced with disbelief. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Both of you are my children. Of course, I feel heartache," Grace said softly, a trace of sorrow in her tone. "I watched her grow up. Now she says she's leaving, just like that—how could I not be upset?"

Seeing her mother so full of guilt and sadness, Aurora felt a wave of discomfort. Even if things between her and Tessa had grown tense, all of this would reach her father's ears anyway. That thought stirred a quiet defiance in her.

After all, she'd hidden it so well back then, only for it all to unravel when she'd fallen down that slope. Looking at it now, she supposed she finally understood the reason.

Grace glanced at Lucas, then at Leonard, a bit embarrassed. "You've all stayed with me for so long. If it's too much, maybe you should go home first."

Leonard had just opened his mouth to respond, but before he could refuse, Lucas's reply stunned everyone. "Mom, staying with you isn't a waste of time. It's something we, as the younger generation, genuinely want. Besides, I'm more than happy to be here with you."

He spoke so eloquently that everyone was caught off guard. Even Aurora hadn't realized just how composed and poised Lucas could be.

"Alright then, Mom, we'll spend the night here. It'll be easier to take care of you this way."

But Grace shook her head firmly. "I've got a caregiver here. There's no need for you all to stay. Go home now. You can't afford to fall behind at work."

"But…" Aurora barely got the word out before Grace cut her off.

"No buts. Just go back. I'll be fine on my own. Besides, isn't Jason still here?"

Grace had never been one to trouble her children. What happened with Tessa earlier had already shaken her quite a bit. Now, she was starting to think carefully about the next step. And besides, she couldn't keep making impulsive decisions like this. From now on, she needed to plan things out properly.

Even so, Aurora still didn't want to leave. "How about this, I'll stay with you a little longer. I'll go home later tonight. I don't have anything urgent to do anyway."

As she spoke, she poured herself a cup of warm water and texted Megan, letting her know she wouldn't be able to make it for their shopping trip that evening. They'd have to reschedule.

Chapter 41

Once the message was sent, Aurora finally felt a sense of relief. That lingering weight in her chest had eased.

When she stepped back into the room, Aurora paused. Luci and Leonard were sitting too close. Their easy banter and the way they leaned toward each other gave off a strange sense of familiarity that caught her off guard. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about the scene unsettled her. Even running it through her mind again felt oddly disorienting.

She said nothing, but inwardly, her mood had shifted. No matter what else, just based on looks alone, Lucas was definitely at the top. Lucas and Leonard exchanged a glance—and both could see the same disgust in the other's eyes.

Leonard was the first to speak up. "Aurora, you know what kind of person I am. Don't you?"

"I don't know anymore. Don't ask me." Aurora dodged the question and leaned against Grace. This time, she truly felt it.