Chapter 429

Mom was right. If he kept forcing himself, wasn’t he just trapping himself in a corner?

It would be a waste of time and utterly meaningless.

Once Leonard came to that realization, a genuine smile slowly returned to his face.

“Mom, I understand now. I’ll work through it. I won’t keep doing this to myself.”

Jasmine looked at the smile on his face, unsure how much of it was real.

But right now, she chose to believe every word he said.

After all, he was no longer a child. He needed to have his own thoughts and make his own choices.

If he could come to terms with it on his own and eventually walk out of it, that too would be a kind of healing.

“Alright. No matter what decision you make, your dad and I will always support you. We’re behind you, always.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Leonard looked deeply moved. In the end, he reached out and pulled Jasmine into a tight hug.

Nora tilted her head to glance at the two of them, a slight hint of curiosity in her eyes.

But before long, her attention drifted back to the television.

Between the emotional hug and the colorful screen, it was clear which one had more appeal to her.

The warmth and laughter filled the room–while over at the hospital, the atmosphere in the ward had shifted.

When Lucas stepped inside, he could immediately sense something subtle between Aurora and Grace.

It wasn’t quite as warm as it had been before.

In fact, Lucas even thought it felt less harmonious than when he had left earlier.

Though he found it strange, he didn’t voice his thoughts outright.

After all, what if nothing had actually happened between the two of them?

If he spoke up rashly, wouldn’t that make him the one responsible for stirring up trouble between mother and daughter?

Aurora noticed Lucas’s return and glanced behind him.

“Why are you alone? Where’s Leonard?”

Lucas paused briefly but quickly replied, “He had something to take care of, so he left first.”

“Aurora, I brought pork hocks and soup for Mom."

“Mr. Knight also got seafood bisque; he was a bit disappointed he couldn’t come with me.”

Grace shook her head. “It’s fine. If he had something to take care of, let him handle it. There’s nothing urgent on my end.

“Besides, I’m already awake, aren’t I? It’s not such a big deal.”

Lucas chuckled and began placing everything neatly on the table.

Chapter 420

“Mom, don’t be so polite. These are all to help you recover. As long as you’re healthy, Aurora won’t have to worry so much.”

Hearing that, Grace instinctively glanced at Aurora.

And in that moment, Aurora’s expression was sincere but edged with awkwardness.

She nudged Lucas lightly and gave him a look, signaling him to stop talking.

Why bring this up now of all times?

Things between her and Grace had already been a little tense ever since what happened with Tessa.

Now, with Lucas’s remarks on top of it, Aurora only felt more uncomfortable.

The moment their eyes met, she couldn’t help but feel awkward all over again.

Grace cleared her throat and called out to her,

“Aurora, come eat. Lucas brought a lot–I definitely can’t finish all this on my own."

Lucas chimed in, “Right, I got some for you too.”

Aurora had wanted to decline, but seeing the two pairs of earnest eyes staring back at her, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.

“Alright, I’ll get a bit.”

But Lucas had already thoughtfully handed her a filled plate.