There was another important reason. At that thought, Grace’s hand around Tessa’s shoulder unconsciously tightened.

Tessa looked up at her, puzzled. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Grace didn’t answer. She just lowered her head and stared at the face that bore no resemblance to her own. Her heart felt uncertain and conflicted, but she quickly caught herself and shook her head with a smile. “Nothing, Mom’s just a little tired.”

Tessa responded sweetly, “Then go rest, Mom. I’ve got class tomorrow, too—let’s both get some sleep.”

“Alright, you’re right. We should rest early.”

Grace rubbed her brow, unable to hold back the fatigue. It had been a long, exhausting day. It felt like she’d just fought a battle. However, she still couldn’t tell whether she’d won or lost. The only thing she could say with certainty was that she didn’t hate Aurora. It was just… Grace lowered her gaze.

She simply didn’t know how to face her, especially when looking at that face that mirrored her own so closely—she didn’t even know what to say. Just by looking at that face, she knew Aurora was her own flesh and blood. How could she possibly be cruel to her? But every time she remembered that Aurora was the child she had with that man, a wave of resistance rose in her chest. She didn’t want to face it.

Grace knew all too well that treating Aurora this way was completely unfair, but she just couldn’t get past that inner hurdle. There was nothing she could do.

Tessa watched the struggle on Grace’s face and found it fascinating. What was Grace really thinking now? Was she starting to regret not comforting Aurora earlier? But Aurora’s heart had already been shattered. The moment she asked that question, it was clear that she was still longing for her mother’s love. Unfortunately, Grace hesitated. And in that moment, even a second of hesitation meant she didn’t truly value Aurora. Now, it was too late to regret it.

How could someone as sharp as Aurora not see that Grace had wanted to make up for it, but hesitated? Sometimes, once something was missed, it was lost forever, just like a shattered mirror—no matter how one tried to patch up the cracks, in the end, it was still broken.

Tessa walked Grace to her room, then returned to her own to rest. But the moment she lay down, she couldn’t hold back her joy. As long as Aurora was upset, she felt happy. In truth, even Tessa didn’t know why she always had to target Aurora. It just felt like a natural instinct. Maybe it was simply because Aurora had inherited Grace’s beauty. That face was so enviable and easy to resent. Over time, anyone would grow bitter seeing it. After all, in the eyes of others, they were biological sisters, and if that was the case, there would always be comparisons. Tessa had no intention of being the one who came up short.

So, the only way to win was to completely claim Grace’s love. That way, at least she’d have something to hold up as her own. She wasn’t stupid—Tessa knew exactly how to use her strengths, like her frail health—that was something she could always turn to her advantage. And Grace, considering her health, would inevitably give her more attention.