Chapter 138

Aurora barely spared Eleanor a glance, her voice cold. “Don’t make me sick.”
She made her way across the room and sat down without another word.
Monica shot Aurora a venomous glare, then turned to comfort Eleanor. “You’re Dan’s sister now. Don’t let it get to you. Some people could never compare to you, and who knows when they’ll be tossed out for good.”
Her words dripped with bitterness.
Everyone knew Monica had a thing for Daniel, and the Chambers family had always hoped she’d become his wife. But Daniel refused to divorce.
After all, Aurora was just the woman he’d married on a whim.
Clearly, she must’ve used some cheap tricks to keep him interested.
Aurora didn’t care about their drama. She was only here out of duty-as Mrs. Chambers, nothing more.
Soon, more people trickled in.
Daniel arrived last, looking a bit pale, deep in conversation with someone at his side.
Eleanor jumped up, all smiles. “Dan!”
He reached out and ruffled her hair, his expression softening with affection.
Anyone with half a brain could see how much he doted on his little sister.
Someone joked, “Makes me wish I had a little sister to spoil, too.”
Eleanor hugged Daniel’s arm and stuck out her tongue playfully. “Good luck finding one as cute as me!”
“Jealous,” someone grumbled good-naturedly.
“Dan, your wife’s here,” another voice called from the crowd.
The laughter died instantly.
Daniel looked over at Aurora.
She sat quietly in the corner, calm and unmoved by the commotion.
“Aurora.” He strode over. “When did you get here?”
She pressed her lips together, answering coolly, “About ten minutes ago.”
Daniel wanted to say something to explain the jokes perhaps but the words felt pointless. In the end, he sat down beside her and took her cold hand in his.
Aurora lowered her gaze, suppressing a wave of revulsion. After all, that hand had just been running through Eleanor’s hair.
But she was Mrs. Chambers now, and appearances had to be kept.
The room buzzed with chatter until the private suite door swung open.
A tall man stood in the doorway. The golden light spilled over his sharp features, casting his face in striking relief.
Aurora saw him and instantly shot to her feet, composure slipping for the briefest moment as she whispered his name.
“Louis Winters.”
There was a tremor in her voice, laced with sorrow.
Daniel’s heart skipped. His grip on her hand tightened reflexively.
He felt her fingertips trembling in his grasp.
He stood up, moving to stand protectively at her side. His voice was low. “When did you get back?”
Louis looked tired as he found a seat. “Just got off the plane.”
Daniel nodded, almost forcibly guiding his wife back into her chair.
He caught the flush in her eyes, and a sharp pang twisted in his chest, thoughts racing.
He and Louis barely knew each other—just acquaintances, really—until Louis went abroad.
Abroad…
Suddenly, Daniel realized: Louis had been gone for three years.
He unconsciously tightened his hold, tension coiling through his body.
Midway through the gathering, Louis answered a call, spoke briefly to their host, then raised his glass. “Something’s come up at home. I need to head out. Enjoy the rest of the night, everyone.”
He left quickly.
Aurora dropped her gaze and murmured to Daniel, “I need to use the restroom.”
Without waiting for a response, she slipped out.
Daniel stared at his hand, still half-curled as if holding hers, and felt a hollow ache settle in his chest.
Outside, Aurora hurried after Louis.