Chapter 148

Louis’s voice was gentle. “Thank you for your trouble.”
Aurora felt nothing but embarrassment. Only after she left the hospital room did she let out a heavy sigh.
How did things end up like this?
But there was no time to dwell on regrets. She made her way to the Quinns’ house.
She could have asked her grandmother to help, but Grandma Grace was getting
on in years. Aurora didn’t want to put her through any more stress.
After all, Payne’s illness-no one knew if he would recover.
If he didn’t, Grandma Grace would be devastated all over again.
The Quinn residence.
Jordan and Mrs. Quinn were both home. When they heard Aurora’s story, their shock was palpable.
Jordan’s reaction was immediate—he slammed his glass down, shattering it, and berated Aurora for her lack of shame.
“An unwed mother, at twenty years old, no less,” he spat.
Mrs. Quinn was merciless. “You’re a disgrace to the family. I thought that being raised by your grandmother, you’d have learned something about dignity and self- respect. But look at you
“No wonder Daniel suddenly agreed to marry into the Cooper family. Now it all makes sense—you’ve brought shame on us with your scandal.”
“How utterly humiliating.”
Aurora listened quietly, enduring their accusations for Payne’s sake.
At last, she spoke. “Say what you want about me, I’ll take it. But Payne is your grandson. He’s sick. I’m asking for your help.”
“Grandson? We don’t acknowledge him,” Jordan sneered with thinly veiled disgust.
He called for the housekeeper to throw Aurora out.
Gritting her teeth, Aurora tried one last plea. “Grandma-”
“Don’t you dare tell your grandmother!” Mrs. Quinn snapped, as if reading her mind.
Aurora fell silent. Mrs. Quinn really did know her too well. In truth, Aurora would never drag Grandma Grace into this mess.
She was forced outside.
No amount of pleading or humility made any difference.
Mr. and Mrs. Quinn refused to see her.
Just as she was about to leave, the housekeeper came hurrying out with a message.
“The lady says, if you’re willing to kneel outside the door all night and reflect on your mistakes, she might consider visiting the hospital.”
Aurora stopped in her tracks.
The chance was slim, but she couldn’t let it go.
She looked up at the second-floor window, where a shadow moved behind the curtains.
She knew that was Eleanor. This had to be her idea.
Still, it was the Quinns she needed-she had no choice.
So Aurora knelt in front of the door, back straight, refusing to waver.
Upstairs.
Mrs. Quinn felt deeply satisfied. She had long since lost any affection for Aurora; all that remained was resentment. Fınd the newest release on.net
Resentment that Aurora had been so cold and unyielding, that she’d sent Mrs. Quinn’s only son away overseas.
Now, it was Aurora’s turn to suffer.
Eleanor lingered nearby, equally pleased.
“So Aurora really does have a child?” she asked, only mildly surprised.
Monica had already told her as much.
She just hadn’t expected Aurora to kneel so obediently for her child’s sake. “Shameless,” Mrs. Quinn muttered under her breath. “She must have picked that up from that old witch Grace. A widow for decades-did she really stay so pure?”
“Otherwise, why else would she have seduced Mr. Hogan Chambers? Like mother, like daughter.”
She had never liked Grandma Grace, and her words were sharp and venomous.
Eleanor’s feelings were no softer. She resented how blatantly Grandma Grace played favorites.
“Let her kneel,” she said coolly, pulling the curtains shut.
Aurora, I told you-one day, I’d bring him home and drive you out of this house. And finally, that day was almost here.
Mrs. Quinn patted Eleanor’s shoulder. “Stay out of this. Even if Daniel asks, you know nothing.”
“And who knows if Daniel still cares for her. Either way, it’s best to be cautious.”
“Yes, Mom. I understand.”