Chapter 2

David instantly let go of me, his panicked expression making it look as though I were the seducing mistress.

Noah and Carter rushed over, like two weak nestlings.

"Boo-hoo, Mom, if you didn't come back, we were going to be beaten to death."

Daisy held them, lodging a heartbroken accusation.

"David, you promised you would never let the children suffer a single grievance. How could you break your word?!"

Even past thirty, Daisy still gave off an innocent and charming impression.

The love between the two of them back then had been intense and spectacular. One was a famous, wealthy heir in Meyruelle, and the other was a sports model.

Everyone had shipped them, but Daisy broke up with him to pursue her career.

David then married me. When kneeling to propose, his eyes sparkled.

"Aurora, you are the one who let me know what the taste of home is."

And I believed him.

However, later, we attended a banquet when a killer raised a gun and fired in our direction.

His instinctive reaction was to pounce on Daisy, who was not far away.

While I lay in a pool of blood, what stood out was his single-minded courage to protect the person in his arms.

That day, I bled a lot.

But what flowed even more were my tears.

David remained silent for a while. When he turned his head toward me, I knew my fate.

"Aurora, say you're sorry."

Perhaps I would've argued my case in the past. Now, though, I only wanted to smooth things over and leave.

Without hesitation, I calmly said to Daisy, "I'm sorry. It is all my fault, so let me return this home to you."

As the words fell, a deathly silence filled the room.

David, who rarely showed emotion, paled for the first time.

Only before he could speak, Daisy's tears flowed down.

"Aurora, are you mocking me? I've already given up the position to you. What are you still putting on an act for? You're breaking my heart!"

Seeing her cry, the younger son, Carter, gave me a vicious push.

Wearing six-centimeter high heels, my foot twisted, and I fell to the ground.

An excruciating pain immediately spread from my ankle.

Carter froze for an instant, then let out a snort. "So fake."

Noah also looked at me for only two seconds before comforting Daisy.

"Mom, don't cry. We'll avenge you."

My heart ached as if pricked by needles. Watching this scene, I couldn't help but remember seven years ago.

Daisy had given the two children a hurried glance, then driven away with her lover.

The boys cried tragically, shouting after her car.

"Mom, Mom, don't go! Please don't go!"

My heart broke as I watched, and I chased after her for them. I lost my slippers along the way, leaving both my feet bloody from the friction.

In the end, completely exhausted, I collapsed to the ground.

The two little ones threw themselves onto me, crying so hard that they couldn't catch their breath.

"We won't chase her anymore. I don't want her ever again. From now on, you're our mom."

I shed tears back then, thinking my sincerity was finally met.

However, three years later, Daisy returned after her race results were a complete mess.

With just one excuse, the two children easily accepted her back, viewing me as a mortal enemy.

Ten years of hard work could not compare to a mention of a hidden plight from her mouth.

My body suddenly left the ground. David brought an ice pack to apply to my ankle.

"Aurora, why must you be so sharp-tongued? Wouldn't it pass if you just endured it a little?"

My fingertips trembled slightly. I thought he was caring for me, but the next second, reality shattered my delusion.

"How can you go back to the banquet like this? When others see you limping, they'll think I mistreated you."

I lowered my eyes and said calmly, "Then I won't go."

Going would only mean being a laughingstock to everyone.

Every person who met me would say, "Mrs. Thompson is so lucky! To have two such handsome sons!"

As soon as they turned around, they would mockingly say, "What's she so proud about? She's just a stepmother. Eventually, she will be driven out."

Daisy, who was secretly rejoicing, had tears in her eyes instead.

"Is it because of me? Aurora, I have never thought of replacing you. You don't have to hint at me in such a roundabout way."

Saying that, she let go of the two children, turned around, and walked outward.

Noah and Carter panicked instantly, the childhood fear of being abandoned sweeping over them once more.

They blocked Daisy, then stared at me with hatred, shouting, "You witch! What right do you have to drive her away? She is our mom!"

David roared furiously at them. "Shut up! Who taught you to talk like that?!"

Then he looked toward me again.

"Since you are injured, stay at your bedroom and rest."

However, the emotion in his eyes wasn't pity or concern for me, but the joy of being able to spend time with Daisy.