LOGINMegan let out a smug snort.“So what? No matter what, I’m sleeping with Aurora tonight.”She clung to Aurora’s arm, refusing to let go.Only then did Aurora suddenly understand.Before Megan said anything, she had been wondering why Lucas seemed so uncharacteristically accommodating today.Now it all clicked.Things clearly weren’t as simple as she’d thought.“And where would Mrs. Quinn sleep, then?”Lucas asked lightly, as if the question were casual.Caught in the middle, Eleanor looked awkward, her expression tightening.Just as Megan was about to speak, Eleanor covered her mouth.“Lucas, don’t listen to her nonsense. I’ll sleep with her tonight. We’re already troubling you enough. Everything else we’ll sort out ourselves.”“Then we’ll do as Mrs. Quinn says,” Lucas replied, every bit the courteous host.That only made Megan angrier.For the first time, she truly felt that Lucas was a full-fledged schemer.His words and actions weren’t that different from before; there was just somet
Eleanor was truly at a loss.She cast a pleading look toward Lucas, as if asking for help.After all, having her daughter insist on staying like this really wasn’t ideal.And Lucas wasn’t known for having a good temper—what if something annoyed him and he lost his patience?Just thinking about that felt like a looming disaster.Yet Lucas agreed without hesitation.“It’s fine, Mrs. Quinn. If she wants to stay, then let her stay. You can stay as well.”Those words left both Eleanor and Megan stunned.Lucas had never been this easygoing.It was as if he had turned into a completely different person.Both the mother and daughter exchanged a look, sensing that something was off.The Lucas they knew would never be this accommodating.He always had his own way of doing things, and whatever others said usually went in one ear and out the other.The two of them couldn’t help feeling puzzled.Had Lucas really changed?But at a moment like this, no one dared dig deeper.Even Aurora felt something
But once Eleanor realized that Aurora was deliberately covering for the Quinn family, her heart only grew heavier.No matter what, this was a matter within their own family.Yet Aurora hadn’t made an issue of it at all.She had even gone out of her way to accommodate their shortcomings.Eleanor knew her daughter’s blunt, carefree temperament better than anyone.Aurora’s willingness to protect the Quinn family’s dignity was clearly done for Megan’s sake.How could Eleanor not understand that?Once she fully grasped it, the discomfort in her chest deepened.It was obvious now that her husband had truly gone too far this time.Not only had Aurora not taken offense, she had even generously helped smooth things over.Eleanor let out a quiet sigh and followed Aurora’s lead.“That’s right. I wasn’t feeling very well today, but I still wanted to host Aurora. I didn’t expect my cooking to have declined so much, so I came over specially to apologize to the child.”Although Lucas still felt a tra
Eleanor tried to steer the conversation away.She let out an awkward laugh, the unease written plainly across her well-kept face.She had originally thought that if only Aurora and her daughter were here, she could still lean on her status as an elder.But with Lucas present, she barely dared to say a word.Playing the emotional card might work with Aurora, but Lucas was a different matter entirely.He wouldn’t give anyone face.It didn’t matter who it was; if he wanted someone gone, he’d have them shown out without hesitation.The moment Eleanor realized that, embarrassment washed over her, followed closely by fear.If Lucas learned how Aurora had been treated at their house, Eleanor doubted she’d be able to leave the Carter home unscathed.When Megan realized her cousin had come out as well, her heart sank.She knew better than anyone how fiercely Lucas protected Aurora.Now that her mother had shown up like this, and Lucas was notoriously suspicious, there was no way he wouldn’t ove
No matter what, Eleanor had helped her many times before.Aurora carefully remembered all those things.They might not have seemed like much to Megan, but Aurora had never liked owing anyone anything.Seeing how close the two were, Eleanor finally felt at ease.When Aurora led her daughter back to her side, Eleanor felt a deep sense of relief.She spoke with genuine sincerity.“Good girl.”Those words were directed at Megan.“Aurora, my child has truly put you through a lot. Thank you for always looking after her.”There was a trace of embarrassment on Eleanor’s face.“As for what her father said, I hope you won’t take it to heart. And even if you did, we would accept it. Don’t worry, I can see clearly what kind of person you are to my child. I’ll go back and have a proper talk with her father.”Her expression was filled with guilt.Even though the words hadn’t come from her mouth, Eleanor still felt responsible.After all, he was her husband.As the saying goes, they shared both the c
She truly felt that Aurora carried a unique kind of charisma.It was the sort of presence that quietly drew people in.Once someone was attracted, they would inevitably be influenced by that distinct warmth and steadiness.It was almost instinctive—something people naturally responded to.At this point, Eleanor finally apologized to Aurora in earnest.“Aurora, the main reason I came today was to apologize to you.”“Mrs. Quinn, I really didn’t take it to heart. Megan already talked to me about it several times before.”As she said this, Aurora couldn’t help letting out a soft sigh.“I’m starting to wonder whether you all never really saw me as a friend or family, and have always been keeping a distance.”At that, Megan was the first to object.She widened her eyes and instinctively stepped in front of Eleanor.“Mom, don’t say anything yet. Let me talk to Aurora for a moment.”After throwing out those words, Megan pulled Aurora aside.Eleanor was left standing where she was, at a loss.O
Even though Grace was a bit more indulgent with Tessa, she wouldn’t let her get away with everything.Soon, Grace’s tone grew firmer. "Since Lucas has done this, there must be a reason. You don’t need to worry so much."Tessa’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Julian.She never expected Gr
If she were the one lying in that hospital bed, would Julian treat her the same way?Tessa didn’t know why, but even without living through it, she was certain the answer was no.And maybe that was why her envy and resentment toward Aurora ran so deep.Why did everything seem to fall into Aurora’s l
Just as they were about to hang up, Tessa suddenly heard a muffled whimper from Julian’s side, followed by a loud thud, like something hitting the floor.She paused. "What was that? What’s going on over there?"A second later, her tone turned cold. "Where are you right now?"She couldn’t explain it,
"How so?"Joseph stopped in his tracks, looking at the speaker with genuine curiosity."Well, your smile today is a lot brighter than usual."Seeing that he didn’t take offense, everyone relaxed a little."Is that so?"He even reached up to touch his face, as if checking the smile himself.The momen







