Chapter 64

“No way.” Fiona’s voice trembled with anxiety. “Eleanor can’t go. She isn’t cut out for that kind of hardship.”
Grandma Grace slapped the edge of her quilt, raising her voice. “Aurora’s lived with me for twenty years, and none of you ever thought she was suffering. But now, if Eleanor goes, suddenly it’s too much to bear?”
She grew more indignant, her outrage building with every word. “What, did Aurora commit some terrible crime in a past life to deserve parents as cold-hearted as you two?”
Eleanor buried her face in Fiona’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Jordan’s expression darkened. “Mom, we’re family. Can’t we talk this through?”
No one bothered to comfort the elderly woman; instead, they only stoked the flames.
Aurora quietly stepped forward, gently rubbing her grandmother’s back to calm her.
“Don’t get worked up, Grandma. Your health comes first.”
She didn’t look at anyone else.
Feeling Aurora’s care, Grandma Grace turned her fury back on Jordan.
“I said from the start that Aurora shouldn’t marry Daniel, but you waited for me to land in the hospital, then used my condition to force her hand. And you have the nerve to talk about family? When have you ever treated Aurora like she was truly one of you?”
Jordan looked guilty and kept silent. After all, it was true-three years ago, he’d manipulated Aurora into the arranged marriage by threatening her with Grandma’s health.
Fiona bristled. “She stayed with you in the countryside, but we sent money every month! It’s not like we neglected her. How can you say such hurtful things?”
Grandma Grace snorted. “You fool. You send your own child away, and the one you keep at home, you can’t even raise properly. At this rate, the Quinn family will fall to ruin in your hands.”
Fiona’s temper flared. “I” she started, ready to snap back.
“Out.” Aurora straightened, her face cold and unyielding as she stared her mother down.
There was no hint of respect-just a blunt dismissal.
Fiona shrieked with outrage. “Aurora, I’m your mother!”
Aurora let out a sharp laugh. “If you don’t leave, I’ll post about Eleanor skipping out on her engagement for the whole world to see.”
“Aurora” Jordan’s face went stiff, preparing to scold her.
“And you,” Aurora cut in, her eyes cold, “If you don’t leave, I’ll tell Mrs. Chambers what you did to Daniel after the wedding.”
The room went dead silent.
Jordan and Fiona gathered Eleanor and stormed out in fury. They knew Aurora meant every word; she’d never cared about saving face for the family.
Grandma Grace, still fuming, grumbled, “I wasn’t even finished giving them a piece of my mind.”
Aurora broke into a laugh; as long as Grandma had the energy to scold, she’d be just fine.
“You’re as sharp as ever, Grandma. But let’s take a break now, okay?”
The heavy air in the room finally dissipated.
Grandma Grace said, “I meant what I said earlier. I’m planning to take Eleanor back to the old house for a while.”
Despite the big house in the city and servants on call, Grandma Grace never felt comfortable here. She’d only stayed for Aurora’s sake, not wanting her granddaughter to be alone and defenseless.
Now, she wanted to take Eleanor away and give Aurora a chance to breathe.
“You want to go back?” Aurora leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder, her voice soft. “I want to go back too.”
The three years she’d spent in Fairvale had been the hardest of her life.
Out in the hallway, Eleanor clung to Fiona, crying quietly.
“Grandma’s so unfair,” she sniffled. “She always picks Aurora over me.”
Fiona’s heart ached at her daughter’s tears. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
She nudged her husband sharply. “Do something!” Follow current novels on
But Jordan just shrugged. “Mom’s just talking. Don’t take it so seriously.”
“And what if she means it?”
“We’re already looking to sell the old house,” Jordan said dismissively. “Why would we go back there now?”