Chapter 86

Of course Aurora was hoping Mr. Winters would come back home, but now even Daniel had learned to use his grandmother as leverage against her.
She honestly had no idea how she’d handle things when the time came.
All she could do was take it one day at a time.
After lunch with Aurora, Una said her goodbyes and left.
Aurora wandered back to her room and slept through most of the afternoon.
When Daniel returned and didn’t see Aurora downstairs, he asked a maid, learned she was in the bedroom, and went straight up.
The curtains were open, and the golden light of sunset poured in through the windows, spilling across the bed in a warm, gentle glow.
Daniel leaned down and kissed the corner of his wife’s mouth, then deepened the kiss.
Aurora stirred, her breath caught in her throat as she woke.
Her sleep-filled eyes quickly cleared.
She shoved him away, her brows pinched in irritation.
Daniel didn’t mind; he just ruffled her hair and told her to get changed for dinner.
“I’m not hungry,” she replied coolly.
Daniel began unbuttoning his shirt, entirely unfazed. “Fine, if you’re not eating, we’ll find something else to do.”
Aurora shot upright in bed, furious. She glared at him, her voice trembling with anger: “I told you-I can’t have children.”
Her eyes shimmered with tears, and within seconds they spilled over, streaking down her cheeks.
“The miscarriage during the storm did real damage. If you don’t believe me, ask Dr. Temple.”
Daniel looked unconvinced. “You’ve been recovering for months. You should be better by now.”
He rubbed his forehead in frustration. Losing their child had left him guilt-ridden, and lately he’d been trying to make amends, to repair what was left between them.
But Aurora wouldn’t accept it.
The loss of the baby-and Eleanor-had become her private torment, something she couldn’t move past.
His patience ran out. With a sigh, he peeled off his shirt and pulled her into his
arms.
For two days, he barely let her go, heedless of her protests. By the time Aurora finally woke, the sun was high in the sky.
She was startled awake by a splash of cold water.
Blinking, she found herself staring into the furious face of Mrs. Chambers.
A stack of papers smacked her in the face.
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That morning, Mrs. Chambers had been feeling unwell and had gone to the hospital. On a whim, she’d stopped by the OB-GYN department, asking about Aurora’s condition. What she learned instead was Aurora’s infertility.
Aurora stared at the papers on the bed. The words “unable to conceive” seemed to burn a hole in her chest.
Mrs. Chambers looked like she wanted to rip her heart out.
She yanked the blanket away without a thought for decency.
Aurora was left in a camisole nightdress, her bare skin marked with the evidence of a man’s touch.
Mrs. Chambers pressed a trembling hand to her chest, breathing hard, her voice venomous as she spat out her words.
“You little tramp.”
She slapped Aurora, hard.
Aurora immediately pushed back. Mrs. Chambers lost her balance and stumbled to the floor.
“You dare lay a hand on me?” she screeched, scrambling up and grabbing at Aurora, trying to claw at her.
Aurora held herself back at first, but Mrs. Chambers only grew more vicious. Finally, Aurora lost her temper and fought back.
In the end, Mrs. Chambers fainted dead away.
Daniel rushed to the hospital room.
Mrs. Chambers burst into tears, launching straight into her complaint. “Look at the wife you picked! First she hits you, now she attacks me! I’m calling the police.”
She seemed certain Daniel would take her side.
But Daniel’s face was cold. “You were the one who started it.”
The housekeeper had already told him everything.
He hadn’t come to check on Mrs. Chambers’ injuries—he was here to deliver a warning.
“Have I not made myself clear? You are not to go to North Manor again.”
Mrs. Chambers let go of his sleeve, her eyes filling with wounded disbelief.
“You’re defending that little whore? I’m your mother!”
She was practically hysterical, her voice rising.
Daniel’s tone was icy. “She’s my wife. And if you can’t show some respect, I won’t hesitate to cut off your cards.”
Mrs. Chambers fell silent at once.
But her defiance soon returned.
“Aurora was never even pregnant.”
Daniel’s expression didn’t flicker. “I know.”
He’d said it in passing, just to shut people up.
Mrs. Chambers stared at him, stunned. “You knew she couldn’t have children?”
Daniel’s steps faltered as he turned to leave. He stiffened, his face a mask. “What did you just say?”