Grace had always been strong-willed. As the chairwoman of Walton Corporation—and a woman at that—she had to contend with board members who were nothing short of predators. It wasn’t hard to imagine how difficult it had been for her to survive in that world, but she had never spoken of it to Aurora. The only thing she ever emphasized was that Aurora had to inherit the company, to stand on her own as soon as possible. In Aurora’s memories, her mother had always been strict, relentless in her pursuit of perfection. This was the first time she had ever uttered an apology.

Grace watched Aurora remain silent, a hint of unease creeping in. She lowered her gaze, long lashes veiling the disappointment in her eyes.

Thinking back, she had indeed been too harsh. Why had she not stopped to ask questions before taking Julian’s side? Between her own daughter and an outsider, how had she chosen to believe someone else? In that moment, Grace realized just how deeply she had misunderstood Aurora.

“I never blamed you,” Aurora said, lifting her lips into a soft smile, her eyes curving. “Mom, I know how hard it’s been for you. You fought your way to the top alone. I never resented you for your strictness—I understand why.”

Grace’s lips parted slightly, surprise flickering in her gaze. Aurora was stunning, and in that moment, her resemblance to Grace was striking—the same sharp features, the same unyielding strength. When Aurora looked ruthless, she was almost a mirror image of Grace in the business world: fierce, decisive, unstoppable.

For the first time, Grace saw a reflection of her younger self in her daughter. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Slowly, she stepped forward, but before she could reach her, Aurora had already closed the distance. She looked at her mother with quiet curiosity. But before she could say a word, Grace pulled her into a firm embrace, resting her head gently against Aurora’s shoulder.

“…I was wrong before,” Grace said. “You understand me—that means more than you know.”

Aurora’s body stiffened slightly. She wasn’t used to such intimate gestures with her mother. Most of the time, she handled things on her own. At best, Grace would give her a pat on the head. Any real closeness between them had become rare ever since she grew up. Sensing the shift in her mother’s attitude, Aurora hesitated for a moment before finally raising her arms to return the embrace.

“Mom, I’ll make sure to learn the company affairs properly,” she said, keeping the rest of her thoughts to herself. She would work hard—not just to meet expectations, but to lighten her mother’s burden. Aurora had never been the sentimental type. She wasn’t one to say overly affectionate words. Even this much was already pushing the limits of what felt natural to her. She would need time to adjust. Actions spoke louder than words. She preferred proving herself through what she did rather than making promises she might not yet be able to keep.

Grace pulled back, studying her daughter’s cool, composed features before smiling. “Aurora, if you have time, bring your husband home so I can meet him.”

Aurora frowned slightly, looking uncomfortable. Her gaze flickered, avoiding direct eye contact. “Why?”

Grace immediately picked up on her reluctance but didn’t press the matter. “What do you mean ‘why’? You’re married now. What’s so strange about bringing your husband home for a meal?”

Hearing that, Aurora had no real excuse to refuse. After all, Grace was right. She and Lucas were legally married. Having dinner at her family home wasn’t unreasonable. After a brief moment of contemplation, she finally relented.

“Alright, Mom. When there’s a chance, I’ll bring him over.”