Chapter 2
tered through branches of the towering treescraiting a vodi gelides (the arden of Conwford Manor. Stacy resed on a white wicker chair
Ies Crawtimi. Moss. Miroua has amivel, a servant softly announced, fireaking the spirt aja
nunyard, caressing the lawn and flowers the world could disturb her tranquility,
immersed in her abiernoon tea,
then tea, hed her heal, her gar lingering an Aurora for hurrly a second before dismissing her with a erutiliskam, as if she were nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust. Her eyes shifted away with a subtle twitch, as though she couldn’t stand tu look at something si simplenant for long-
Mrs. Crawford‘ the serv
murmured, uncertain, offering an awkward smile in the tense alr
Take her to the back quarters, Stary said lazily, waving her hand as if she were wanting away a nuisance.
“But, maam, that’s where the servants live. Miss Aurora is… The servant hesitated, glancing nervously at Aurora, knowing all too well how out of line this order was
stacy placed her teacup down with deliberate slowness, her tone icy but leaving no room for argument. “Maura just won her piano competition. We need to build her a music room. Grifin’s growing up, and he’ll need his own study. Where exactly am I supposed to find space for someone… unimportant?
The servants lips parted slightly as though she wanted to protest further, but in this manor, defying Stacys decisions was unheard of. She hat Tuck her words, her unrave evident.
For Auto
the scene from her past life played out like a twisted deja vu–Stacy’s cold voice, the half–hearted excuse, and the unter indifference she was being cast aside to the nonsy back quarters again, just like before.
The rooms in the back quarters were narrow and dim, filled with the clamor of servants and the persistent hum of activity, far from ideal. But young Aurora had never complamed. Compared to the run–down, moldy old house in the countryside where rats would scurry over her feet at night, this place had felt like a dream to her
Even though she knew the rest of the Crawford family resided in the main house, their rooms far grander and more opulent than her own, she had convinced herself to feel grateful
But now? She was no longer that juive little girl who quietly accepted whatever scraps fate tossed her way. This manor, her mother’s home, had Deci overrun by their greedy outsiden. The Crawfords—they never saw her as family, and frankly, they didn’t deserve to be hers.
Aurora svojce cut through the like a blade, cold and sharp with a hint of mockery. “Stacy, if 1 reimeniber correctly, Crawford Manor belonged to my mouter. Now that she’s prair, the lacuse is legally mine, but it a bit absurd that you’re living in my home and trying to shove me into the back
lacy’s faucatiffened, her ung facade cracking. She hadn’t expected Aurora to know the truth, and the once Luty glim in her eyes hardened.
nurt Mary finally mapped seming her dessert aside with a sharp datter. She whipped her head around to glare at Aurora, her eyes with indignation. “This entire unor belongs to your father. As his wife, I have every right to decide where you stay. If you don’t like it,
k to that miseraldde little bowel in the countryside”
Hier wards were a thinly sealed ttural In Stary’s mind, Aurora should have been Lalling over herself in gratitude for even being allowed back into Her Jacouly fold. And she felt that of Aurora haik any sense, slie’d be groveling for favor so that she wouldn’t he kicked back to her old miserable life.
the smart move for Aurura was in Hatter and appease, or risk losing any semblance of a comfortable life. The idea that Aurora might dely her ut makra move to rlain hier ziglaful place was laughable to Stacy.
Aurora, pleasr, dont upori Mix Crawford” the servant whispered urgently. raid that Aurora might push Stacy too far and truly be thrown
Aurora’s lips ruled suis a show knowing smile. Is it really numseme? How about we ask my father, then After all, I could reclaim this entire estat
at Aurora’s conbdent tone: A small tremor of fear ran through her, though she quickly suppressed it. Of course, she knew the Farid fanaly’a duty little ar t:She knew exactly how they’d riser o power. But the confidence in Aurora’s voice was unexpected, and sleeply inculing for Stacy
be so cocky. Im gonna tell Jason how insufferable and arrogant this little brat is, Stacy thought histerly,
Aurora said with a dismissive wave. Il Bod my own room Without waiting for Stacy’s reaction, Aurora walked toward the main
warul corned every inch of flur place. The servant, dearly flustered, buried after her, ternlied Aurora might get lost.
creet floor, the best room belonged to Maura. The door was open, revealing a lavishly decorated space. Plush carpets covered the floor,
umpthe furniture to the sun allest ornament–peckrid of wrabili and canelul curation. This was a room that screamed
L
5.53 PM
Chapter 2:
This is Miss Crawford’s room, the servant whispered, her voice tinged with awe
Aurora shot her a glance and corrected her coolly. “From now on, call her Miss Maura. The Cranford family don’t have just one Miss Crawford
Aurora’s gaze wasn’t harsh, but it was chilling enough to send a shiver down the serv through her. The servant quickly nodded in agreement.
“Miss Maura’s still at school, the servant
want began.
preparing to p
to guide Aurora away
Her eyes, so cold and piercing, seemed to see right
could say more. Aurora strode toward the room
“She doesn’t like people going into her room, the servant blurted out, worried. The last thing she wanted was for Maura to come home and find out Aurora had taken a liking to her space–it would surely cause a scene,
Aurora caught on immediately, a small, amused smile playing at her lips. “Relax. I’m not interested in hand–me–downs.”
With that she turned and walked confidently down the corridor, straight to the far end. The room at the very end of the hall was large but sat in the path of the setting sun. Discrming people would find it too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and consider it unsuitable for a bedroom. But Aurora didn’t care about such things.
By the time Maura returned in the evening, she made a beeline for Aurora’s room. Maura, dressed to perfection, flounced in with her usual flair. Her delicate pink dress paired with custom leather shoes, and even her backpack was a limited–edition designer piece. She looked like a princess straight out of a royal ball.
In her exaggerated, sugary sweet voice, she called out, “Aurora”
“Ever heard of knocking before entering someone else’s room! Aurora didn’t even let her finish. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. Her lips curled into a mocking smile as she watched Maura’s eager attempt to show off “Look who’s here my dear stepsister.”
Maura’s face went pale at the words. She followed Aurora’s voice and spotted her lounging by the window, her fanless skin glowing in the golden evening light With her long legs crossed casually, not even her shabby clothes could hide her natural grace and beauty.
Maura’s brow furrowed in frustration. ‘How can a country bumpkin like her look this good? she thought bitterly.
As Maura’s eyes flicked over the sparse furniture in the empty room, a glint of satisfaction and smugness flashed across her face. She was clearly pleased with the setup.
“I was
to meet you, so I rushed in. Next time, I’ll knock, promise,” she said, flashing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
is just eager to meet you,
After a pause, she added. “You came back in such a hurry. We didn’t get much time to prepare your room. Maybe you should pop by my room and see if you need anything We can always send someone to buy whatever you’re missing”
Maura’s words dripped with sugar–coated condescension. She wanted Aurora to know, loud and clear, who the real princess of the Crawford family was. Even if Aurora had returned, nothing was about to change in Maura’s world.
Aurora, ever composed, didn’t take the bait. “Simple is better, she replied, her voice steady. “Too much stuff can clutter one’s mind. Makes it harder to know one’s place”
The jab hit home, though Maura wasn’t sure if Aurora was talking about her or herself. Either way. it stung.
“Dad’s home. You
But Maura quickly regained her composure, a sweet smile curling her lips as she thought of what was about to happen next. “D might want to get yourself ready and come down for dinner”
“Sure, Aurora responded, her tone cool and indifferent. She waved a hand dismissively, signaling Maura to leave.
Fuming inade, Maura narrowed her eyes. This wasn’t how she’d imagined things would be going. As the family’s most cherished daughter, she had expected Aurora to fawn over her, maybe even scramble to win her favor. But Aurora’s icy demeanor and calm defiance left Maura feeling like she
as the que trying too hard.
Seciling, she made sure to slam the door a little too lund on her way
and then stormed downstairs, her expression one of exaggerated hurt.
When Aurora finally descended the staircase, the Crawford family was already seated at the grand dining table, perfectly aligned like a picture-
rfect jour and. The crystal chandelier overhead cast shimmering light onto the polished marble floors, and the warmth of their smiles gleamed
Jikai, Stary, andMaura looked like the v very image of a harmonious family. The only one missing was Griffin Crawford, who had been sent to stay
randdinother for a few days.
Aurora, in her worn tent clothes and dragging slippers, took her time coming down the steps. Each soft lootfall seemed to echo through the hall, disrupting the cheerful chatter ifun filled the dining room moments before. The easy laughter evaporated into awkward silence as they turned to
Canching the dia ker of comfort on their
„Aurora raiseil an eyebrow, a sly grim tugging at her lips.
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5:53 PM ·
Chapter 2
Maura was the first to break the tension, standing up and walking over, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Aurora, come sit. We’ve been waiting for you.”
She reached out, as if to take Aurora’s hand in a warm, sisterly gesture, but then, catching sight of Aurora’s tattered clothes, she recoiled ever so slightly, pulling her hand back as if it had been burned
