It seemed Lucas had gotten up quite early. He probably didn’t sleep much during that second round of jest.

After finishing breakfast, Aurora headed straight to the office. She didn’t linger at home, her mind still preoccupied with the company. On the way, she sent a quick message to Grace, asking if she had been discharged. Aurora knew her mother well, but even so, she had no idea when exactly Grace would be out of the hospital. It didn’t hurt to check.

Grace was resting at home when she saw the message and paused for a moment before replying, “I’m fine. I’ve been discharged. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Aurora didn’t see the reply right away—she was driving.

It wasn’t until she arrived at the office that she glanced at her phone and saw the message. Reading Grace’s reply, Aurora felt a quiet sense of confirmation. She had already suspected her mother would insist on going home as soon as she could, but she hadn’t known exactly when. It turned out, Grace had moved faster than expected. Aurora tapped out a reply on her phone. “Mom, make sure you get plenty of rest. Don’t worry about the company, I’ve got it covered.”

Grace smiled warmly at her daughter’s message. There really were blessings to having grown-up children. She could feel those blessings now—Aurora had grown into someone who knew how to care for her family. All the years of raising her, of teaching and guiding, suddenly, they all felt worth it. In that moment, Grace couldn’t help but admit she was truly happy. She had once believed Aurora was still too young, always in need of protection. She’d feared letting her face the world alone. But now, she realized how narrow her thinking had been. She should’ve let go long ago, let her children step out and embrace the vast world on their own.

Aurora was far stronger than Grace had imagined. That thought alone made the smile on Grace’s face grow wider, warmer, more genuine. Just then, Tessa came downstairs and happened to catch sight of that smile. She froze, taken aback. How long had it been since she last saw her mother smile like that?

Chapter 445

Between Grace’s illness and everything else, the two of them had barely spoken in recent weeks. But now, looking at her from the stairs, it seemed like her mother was just as content without her, as if her presence or absence made no difference. Tessa didn’t know how to make sense of the feelings welling up inside her. Logically, she should be happy to see her mother in good spirits. But knowing that this joy had nothing to do with her stung. Sometimes, Tessa truly felt like she was a contradiction in human form.

And yet, despite all her confusion and poor health, Grace had never once given up on her. In fact, she had only given her more time and attention. Tessa could feel that. Deep down, she knew. Still, it didn’t ease the bitterness. Why was Aurora allowed into the company so easily, while she had worked so hard and still couldn’t even get a foot in the door? The resentment twisted inside her, leaving a taste she couldn’t name, let alone swallow.

There were moments when all she wanted to do was run. Sometimes, she even thought—Wouldn’t it be better if Aurora were the only daughter? If there wasn’t a sick one like her around just to make Aurora shine brighter?

Tessa didn’t understand why things were the way they were, and truthfully, she didn’t want to think about it anymore. She turned, ready to head back upstairs, but then Grace’s voice called out gently, “Tessa?”