Chapter 29
It was a busy Saturday morning at the private hospital with people coming and going. Aurora walked straight up to the reception desk and asked the receptionist. “Hi, can you tell me how to get to the inpatient department?
The nurse at the desk noticed the flowers in her hand, paused for a moment, and then gave her directions with a chuckle
Aurora nodded and said, “Thank you!
Just then, a middle–aged man walked by while talking loudly on his phone. His voice was rough, and his words attracted Aurora’s attention. “Relax, I’ve got it all sorted. It’s just a little girl, no big deal. You really underestimated me
Aurora was the last one to step into the elevator. She turned around and stood still as the doors closed. When the door opened again, she had arrived on the floor where Maura stayed.
There was a nurse’s station nearby. Aurora, still holding the flowers, walked over to ask which room Maura was in.
“And you are?” The nurse didn’t recognize Aurora and asked a bit more cautiously.
Aurora stroked the flowers in her arms and replied. “I’m her sister, just here to check on her.
Suddenly, the click of the phone’s camera shutter broke the moment. Aurora glanced over and spotted a middle–aged man snapping a picture of
“Uh, I just thought you were pretty and, uh, took a quick shot. The man hadn’t expected his camera sound to give him away, Caught in the act, he plastered on a sheepish grin. Without another word, he quickly turned the corner and disappeared from sight
Aurora watched him leave, her suspicions growing. She thought, “What’s going on? Why does his face seem so familiar? Have I seen him somewhere before She stood there for a moment, lost in thoughts. Finally, it hit her. She hadn’t seen him in this life, so the man might have appeared in her previous life. Her eyes narrowed as she gripped the flowers a little tighter.
After a long pause, she composed herself and smoothed her expression before knocking on the door of Maura’s ward.
“It’s your” Stacy’s smile instantly vanished the moment she saw Aurora standing in the doorway. Without hesitation, she moved to close the door.
Ban Aurora stopped it with one hand, catching a glimpse of Jaxon sitting by Maura’s bedside: They were chatting, both of them smiling.
“Dad, Stacy. I’m just here to see Maura” Aurora put on her best wounded expression, mimicking Maura’s typical behavior perfectly. “I know Maura’s your real daughter, Dad, but she’s still my sister. Now that she’s had this accident, can’t I at least come to check on her?”
People passing by the ward heard Aurora’s words and glanced over, curiosity piqued,
Stacy shot her a glare full of anger, silently cursed her under her breath, and said, “Come in then”
Aurora walked in with a sweet smile, her eyes sweeping over the windowsill lined with bouquets and fruit baskets. Clearly, Maura’s popularity at schinol hadn’t taken a lut.
Aurora didn’t expect one little incident to knock Maura down for good. No need to rush–she had plenty of time.
“Maura, how are you feeling?” Aurora said while making her way to the windowsill and casually tossing the best–looking bouquet from the vase into the trash. She then replaced it with the chrysanthemums she’d bought from the roadside flower shop
Maura’s face went a shade paler, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. She thought bitterly, Chrysanthemunge! Those are flowers for the dead Who brings those to a hospital visit? Aurora is just cursing me!
Stacy, who had just closed the door, saw the chrysanthemums in the vase and immediately exploded with anger. “Aurora, what the hell are you doing! Are you trying to curse Maura!
my life ju
jumping into that
Aurora stood still and gently adjusted the flower petals. “Stacy, if I really didn’t want Maura to be okay, why would I risk my pool to save her!”
1 knew it! Aurora claimed the title of my savior. I really regret thanking her yesterday. Maura muttered inwardly. Even though she’d anticipated this, hearing Aurora say it out loud still made Maura’s eyes sting with tears.
Her eyelashes trembled, and her hands clenched so tightly that her nails turned white. Forcing a smile, she said, “Mom, don’t be mad at Aurora. I’ve been in the hospital since yesterday, and all I’ve been wanting is to see her. I’m just happy she’s here.”
“Why bring chrysanthemums heret Have some decency,” Jason’s voice was sharp as he scolded Aurora. He was already annoyed that Aurora hadn’t come sooner. “Why are you only showing up now? Maura’s been waiting for you all day.”
Throughout the morning. Maura’s classmates had trickled in to visit her, but not Aurora. Every time someone asked about Aurora, Jaxon had had to
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Chapter 29
find an excuse to conceal his embarrassment.
Stacy gave a mocking snort and said, “Clearly, Maura doesn’t matter to her. Her sister’s in the hospital, and she doesn’t even bother to visit. Honey, looks like we can’t count on Aurora in the future if anything happens to us.”
That last remark was a thinly veiled jab, calling Aurora cold–hearted.
Aurora didn’t care about Stacy’s opinion about her. She wasn’t here to check on Maura anyway, so she said sarcastically, “I don’t have a mom hovering over me like Maura does, staying up all night to keep an eye on her.
“I had a splitting headache last night, and thank goodness Emma brought me some meds, or 1 might’ve ended up in the hospital with Maura.”
Jaxon raised his eyebrows, and he caught the hidden meaning behind her words.
“It was so chaotic yesterday, with Maura’s condition being so serious. I couldn’t check on you right away” Jaxon waved her over from the sofa, trying. to play the loving father. “How’s your headache now!”
Aurora didn’t move, not interested in playing along with his linle drama “Dad, you treat Maura so well. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she’s your real daughter.”
The room went uncomfortably silent as all three faces showed signs of unease. A warning bell rang in Aurora’s mind, and she thought, ‘Could 1 have hit a nerve”
Her eyes shifted between Maura and Jaxon. The more she studied their features, the more she noticed the similarities.
“Could I have stumbled on something? Maybe it’s time to get a paternity test done, Aurora mused.
“What nonsense are you spouting Stacy forced a laugh, trying to break Aurora’s gaze. For the first time, she moved closer to Aurora with a fake and gentle smile.
**Maura grew up with your dad. They’ve had over ten years to build that bond. Of course, he treats her like his own. But don’t worry, you’re still his
number one
Having said that, Stacy left Jaxon no choice but to show some favoritism to prove that Aurora was the daughter he truly cared about.”
Jaxon opened his wallet, pulled out a bank card, and placed it in Aurora’s hand. He parted her on her hand affectionately and said, “You’re my biological daughter. I’d never neglect you, you know! Look how skinny you’ve gotten. Are you being picky with your food! Take this and buy yourself something nice to eat
Aurora felt a slight thrill–she hadn’t expected such an unexpected windfall. Her face lit up as she accepted the card with a wide smile. Maura was living in such a luxurious room, and it was obvious that Jaxon had clearly spared no expense on her. Aurora felt entirely justified to take the bank card.
“Thanks, Dad” With the card in hand, Aurora didn’t hold back a smile.
Stacy, on the other hand, was glaring at the bank card so hard that her eyes w palms. She complained in her mind, Aurora’s nothing but a bastard. What right does she have to take that money? We’ve been more than generous
were practically glued to it, her fingers digging harsh lines into her to let her eat at the table“:
Just as Stacy’s smile was about to crack, the sudden ringing g of a phone saved her from losing he composure.
