Tina had left, and Aurora felt as if a piece of her heart had been carved out. She had just been basking in the joy of Tina’s presence, yet Tina had left so quickly. Aurora wiped her tears away, her eyes red as she returned to the living room, where Genevieve and Magnus were arguing furiously.
“Magnus, do you even have a conscience? I’ve been with you for so many years, and she’s already married. Do you still hope she’ll change her mind?”
Genevieve accused, tears streaming down her face.
“What I want and with whom I spend my time is my business, not yours. You’ve schemed for years, deceiving me, driving Victoria away. How can there be such a cold and cruel woman in the world? We were once a happy family, and it’s all because of you-you ruined everything!”
A few days ago, even after learning about Genevieve’s past actions, he hadn’t scolded her excessively. However, today, upon seeing John Walsh, he knew he would never be associated with her again. He had hurt her so deeply in the past that he wouldn’t have forgiven himself; it was only logical that she remarried after all these years. No amount of regret could change the past now. All he hoped for was Victoria’s happiness, though the thought agonized him.
He now understood how Victoria must have felt those years ago, waiting at the door day and night with Aurora. It was all because of Genevieve-she destroyed everything beautiful!
“Blame me?”
Genevieve chuckled bitterly.
“Yes, the first night we met, you were drunk. Nothing happened between us. I already knew I was pregnant with Paul’s child, and I used that child to get close to you. You were deceived, yes. But didn’t you willingly engage with me after that? I know you felt guilty towards Victoria, even secretly had a vasectomy to avoid having more children with me.
Magnus, there were so many misunderstandings between us. I’m sorry for what I did, but how well have you treated me? Your father always opposed our marriage. If you really cared about me, if I really mattered as much to you as Victoria, you would have found a way to legitimize our relationship. Your guilt towards Victoria made it impossible for you to accept me as your wife. You had me move in here and treated our children well out of a sense of duty.”
“On the surface, you appear loyal and faithful, but in reality, you are the most heartless. You’ve never truly had me in your heart; you were with me out of obligation! After all these years without a formal status, and our children unrecognized, I hoped one day you would truly love me. Twenty years have passed, and I’ve given everything for you, only to end up like this. Magnus, you are the most selfish one!”
Genevieve’s words were like a dagger to Magnus’s heart. Both were no fools; Magnus knew very well what she thought of him. She just never wanted to admit that she lost to Victoria, who remained the true victor in the Montgomery family. But the real winner was always Victoria, who had lived in Magnus’s heart forever, never fading away.
Only today did she finally voice everything, feeling much relieved.
“Yes, I admit I never loved you, but I had to take responsibility because you bore my child. Haven’t I done enough over the years? I cared for our children, loved our family, and provided whatever you wanted. I’ve fulfilled my duties as both a father and a husband.
What have you done? You lurked in the shadows like maggots, bullying my daughter, framing her, scheming, even abusing her. My own daughter nearly died at your hands-fortunately, Aurora was lucky enough to survive. I should applaud you, Genevieve, you fraudster.”
The grievances between you and me could fill days and nights of endless talk, but at this point, I no longer care to dissect who was right or wrong. All I hope for now is to never see your disgusting face again! Even if I end up alone for the rest of my life, I will never get back together with you!”
Magnus declared righteously, his words leaving Genevieve pale, filled with frustration yet helpless!
“Do you think I care to be with you? I can live just as well without you!”
Genevieve finally realized, knowing there was no possibility left between her and Magnus.
“Mom, don’t say that. We didn’t come here to fight,” Ivy quickly tugged at Genevieve’s sleeve, trying to stop her from speaking angrily, lest they truly lose all hope.
Aurora entered, eyes reddened, “It was you, you took my mother away, and now I can never see her again.”
She was uninterested in the past conflicts between Genevieve and Magnus or what Genevieve had done before. To her, family was what mattered most. Her eyes, filled with hatred, stepped toward Genevieve.
“Years ago, you drove my mother away, leaving me alone. And today, when I finally found her again, why did you drive her away?”
Aurora’s mind was consumed with anger. She felt that the despicable woman before her was the cause of all her losses, including her mother.
Aurora’s gaze was terrifying, making Genevieve step back in fear. The Aurora before her now was even more frightening than the sly, smiling one of the past; her face was overtly filled with rage.
“What are you going to do?”
she stammered.
“I want you to give my mother back to me.”
Aurora kicked at Genevieve, who had lived a sheltered life, unaccustomed to such rough treatment. The kick knocked her to the ground. Ivy hurried over, “Aurora, have you lost your mind? Mom, are you alright?”
“Yes, I’ve gone mad. Why do you have a mother, and I don’t? My mother was so gentle.”
Aurora’s head tilted, her eyes full of hatred, her presence chilling.
The person standing before them was Aurora, yet not. This version of her sent shivers down the spine. Aurora clasped her hands, cracking her knuckles ominously, “Since I lost my mother, it’s only fair you lose yours too,” she said with a sinister smile.
Magnus was stunned; Aurora reminded him of Victoria. Years ago, Victoria had changed under a great distress, her demeanor turning cold and unapproachable.
“What are you babbling about?”
Ivy met Aurora’s eyes, feeling a deep fear.
“You’ll see soon enough if I’m babbling,” Aurora sneered, grabbing Genevieve by the collar and lifting her effortlessly. Who knew a woman could possess such strength? Her face showed no strain, as if this act was as simple as eating or sleeping.
“Genevieve, you should never have touched my mother. I only have one mother, and you drove her away. Where am I supposed to find another? Don’t you know how pitiful it is to be without a mother?”
Aurora spoke with a childlike expression, her head tilted and smiling, yet the look was eerie and frightening.
In the next second, she casually threw Genevieve onto the cold tiled floor, the impact evidently painful.
“Ahh!!!”
Genevieve screamed in agony.
Yet Aurora didn’t intend to stop; she advanced towards her, “My mother, you lost her for me, now you owe me a mother…”
“How terrifying!”