Hearing Grace call her name instantly dissolved all the bitterness and resentment in Tessa’s heart.

She turned around and saw the tears welling in Grace’s eye and couldn’t hold back her own tears either.

“Mom…”

“Oh, my sweet Tessa, what are you standing there for? Come here already,” Grace said, waving at her to hurry over, not to just stand outside like a fool.

“You saw me and didn’t even say hello. What’s going on? Are you not planning to acknowledge me as your mother anymore?”

Tessa shook her head in a panic. “Of course not, Mom. No matter how much of a mess I’ve made, I still know exactly whose daughter I am.

“I was the one who was out of line before. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Tessa had always thought this was between her and Aurora, not Grace. Her love and respect for Grace had never wavered.

In fact, when Grace was ill, she had been even more worried than Aurora was. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed to the hospital the moment she heard. It was because she truly cared for and respected Grace that she did all those things.

Grace was surprised by what Tessa said, but more than that she was deeply touched. She never expected that both her daughters could be so understanding. In this life, she felt she’d been blessed.

“Alright, as long as you’re not upset with me.”

Grace paused, remembering how stern and distant she’d sounded when talking to Tessa the other day. In truth, she’d been quite shocked. She always thought the two girls got along well until that day, when Tessa shattered the illusion. Only then did she realize how much had been hidden beneath the surface.

Tessa looked at her mother with a playful pout. “Mom, what are you even talking about? I might get mad at someone, but never you.

“Don’t you know what kind of person I am by now?”

Grace gently patted the top of Tessa’s head, nodding with deep affirmation. “That’s right. It’s because I believe in my daughter that I can stand by her. That’s how I know how truly outstanding you are. But…”

The sudden shift made Tessa tense up. They had just been wrapped in warm praise, yet Grace suddenly changed the tone.

“Tessa, in my whole life, I’ve never asked for much.”

She held Tessa’s hand tightly. “But I want you to remember this–no matter what happens, never turn against your sister.

Chapter 440

“The two of you are the most important people in each other’s lives. You’re the ones who can truly rely on one another. As for me, I’m just a passerby. In your lives, I’m merely a passenger.”

Hearing that, Tessa felt something was off. What was Grace really trying to say? Why bring up something like this out of nowhere?

She looked at her mother in confusion. “Mom, you’re still young. Why are you suddenly talking about things like health? All of us are going to stay by your side, especially. Wherever you go, I’m going too!”

Tessa looked every bit the textbook mama’s girl–never going anywhere without checking with Grace first. Even when faced with two paths, she had to ask Grace which one to take.

She had no choice but to ask, “Mom, why are you saying all this now? Did Aurora put you up to it?”