Chapter 130

Daniel lowered his eyes. He’d thought about this, over and over.
But no matter how he turned it in his mind, there was no better way.
He couldn’t just stand by and watch her draw that line between them.
There would be time for them in the future, plenty of it, he told himself. He believed, with enough patience, he could win her heart back.
“All you need to do today is acknowledge Eleanor,” Daniel said quietly.
Mr. Hogan Chambers studied Daniel for a long moment, his cloudy eyes tinged
with a trace of regret. He remembered himself as a young man.
Back then, he too had been so certain she would forgive him, so sure there would be a future for the two of them.
But in the end, time wore him down and he compromised.
He’d regretted it for years since.
Half an hour later, Mr. Chambers emerged from the lounge, leaning heavily on Daniel’s arm.
He surveyed the crowd, eyes sharp as ever, before settling on a girl standing quietly at the back. His voice was cool, almost detached, as he made the announcement: “The one I recognize as Aurora is… Eleanor.”
A smile lit up Eleanor’s face. Lifting her dress slightly, she stepped out from
behind the crowd, making her way forward with quiet confidence.
Mrs. Chambers tightened her grip on her wine glass, whispering in disbelief, “How can it be her?”
The old man had clearly said Aurora’s name that day. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
Suddenly, she glanced at her son, her thoughts racing back to the half hour Daniel and the old man had spent together in the lounge.
So this was Daniel’s doing.
A wave of frustration washed over Mrs. Chambers. She could see now just how determined her son was not to divorce.
Eleanor came to stand at Mr. Chambers’ side, her voice soft and respectful as she greeted him. “Grandfather.”
Mr. Chambers nodded with little emotion, then gestured to the butler, who presented a small velvet box. Inside lay a jade bracelet worth a fortune.
“This is your welcome gift. Take it.”
Eleanor’s delight was unmistakable as she accepted the box, her thanks ringing clear as a bell. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
Mr. Chambers waved her off, slipping his hand onto the butler’s arm as he left. He’d been cordial, yes, but distant.
Eleanor couldn’t quite place the feeling. She made her way over to Daniel. “Dan.”
He was the one who’d told her to come, and only after arriving did she realize Mr. Chambers planned to recognize an Aurora. By then, she’d already guessed Daniel’s intention.
She understood it was his way of making amends, a consolation for Samuel’s absence.
People whispered all sorts of things behind her back, but she accepted it with grace.
Daniel met her gaze, his eyes lingering on her face. He lifted his arm.
Eleanor slipped hers through his without hesitation.
Every eye in the room was on them now.
Daniel’s voice cut through the low murmur of the crowd: “From today, Eleanor is the Chambers family’s daughter-my sister. No one is to mistreat her.”
Such a bold declaration was his way of protecting her, of putting an end to the rumors once and for all.
Eleanor clung to his arm, tears glimmering in her eyes. She whispered, “Daniel.”
He reached up and gently patted her head, a rare, tender smile at the corner of his mouth. “Sister.”
Mrs. Chambers took a leisurely sip of her wine. She couldn’t tell whether Aurora still hoped to remain Daniel’s wife, or if she was content with being the Chambers family’s daughter. Either way, she was sure Aurora was furious and disappointed
now.
So be it let them make a scene.
Once Daniel grew tired of it, he’d divorce her anyway.
Aurora sat alone in her room for a long time, her makeup ruined, her expression haggard.
She hadn’t shown up at the reception. She didn’t know if Mr. Chambers would change his mind and refuse to help her get the divorce papers.
She wondered if her grandmother would be worried.
Lost in thought, she was startled by the sudden click of the door.
Daniel was back.
Aurora immediately stood, her gaze icy as she brushed past him, lifting her dress
as she moved toward the door.
The hem of her dress swept across Daniel’s shoes.
He caught her wrist.
“It’s over,” Daniel said quietly.