Aurora easily spotted the woman in the black trench coat and large sunglasses. John Walsh stood by her side, making lively conversation, though she seemed barely interested, her mind elsewhere. Suddenly, as she looked in Aurora’s direction, Aurora quickly hid behind a pillar, knowing that appearing now would only repeat the outcome of yesterday, adding nothing but mutual sorrow.
“Master, the check-in is complete; we can board now,” Erica said, holding the tickets.
John escorted her to the security checkpoint and hugged her lightly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon to join you.”
“Take good care of her,” Tina said with a thick nasal voice. If she had removed her sunglasses, her dark circles from a sleepless night filled with memories of past grudges would be visible.
“I will. It’s about time. Go check in, don’t miss your flight,” John released her.
“Okay.”
Tina walked towards the security lane, feeling as though someone was watching her. She turned back after a few steps, scanning the airport. Only a few leisurely travelers dragging their suitcases were in sight. Erica, sensing her unease, paused and asked, “Master, what are you looking at?”
“Nothing, let’s go,” Tina withdrew her gaze.
Aurora cautiously peeked from behind the pillar, watching the group leave. She wondered, “Mom, what has happened over these years to change you so much?”
“Why not go and see her off?”
Julian, having parked the car, caught up and noticed Aurora hadn’t shown herself. Wasn’t she concerned about Tina?
“It would only cause trouble for both of us. Since nothing can change the outcome and it would only bring us sadness, why should I bother going out?”
Aurora shook her head in resignation.
Julian understood her feelings and embraced her gently.
“Little Bunny, sometimes I wish you weren’t so sensible. Wouldn’t it be nice if you were a bit more willful like Ivy?”
Aurora just gave a bitter smile.
“If I really became that capricious, you might find me troublesome and start to dislike me.”
“As long as it’s you, no matter what you become, I will always like you because you are such a good girl,” Julian gently caressed her cheek.
“Julian, let’s go back,” Aurora suggested.
“Not sad anymore?”
Julian saw her mood stabilizing.
Aurora shook her head, “We have to accept it. Knowing that Mom is still alive is the greatest happiness. Although I don’t know why she refuses to acknowledge she is my mom, I can feel her suffering. Julian, you are so capable, could you help me find out what identity my mom really has and why she had to do this?”
It was hard for Julian to refuse Aurora’s requests, except this one. He thought of the unfinished totem on her back that morning.
“Aurora, have you ever considered one thing?”
Julian hesitated before speaking.
Aurora looked puzzled, “What is it, Julian?”
“Just as you said, she couldn’t possibly not love you. So, what could make a mother treat her own daughter as a stranger? Unless her actions were to protect you. She has never explained, preferring to be misunderstood as an irresponsible mother, leaving her daughter to fend for herself all these years. The only explanation is that she did it to protect you, to keep your life on track, to let you forget her, even if it meant being misunderstood. If you forcefully pursue this investigation, it might disrupt the path she arranged for you and break her plans. Moreover, the weight of the truth might be too much for you, turning your life upside down.”
Julian, as an observer, could see things more deeply and also loved Aurora deeply, understanding her mother’s psychological struggles.
Upon hearing Julian’s words, Aurora fell into deep contemplation.
“Could the truth really turn my life upside down?”
she murmured to herself. Julian was right-Tina had clearly been in pain yesterday, and under such circumstances, she had refused even a hug.
“Yes, your mother has painstakingly crafted the life you now have. Would you really not mind if meddling in her world changed your current path?”
Julian reminded her.
He had felt uneasy ever since he learned that her mother was part of the R family-a family shrouded in mystery. Although he did not know the specifics, his intuition told him that Aurora should not get involved.
Otherwise, why would her mother act so coldly, pretending not to recognize her own daughter if not to protect her? It was no good deed for Aurora to get involved in something her mother was already handling in such a way.
Previously, he had discovered something unsettling: why had Tina and John Walsh been together for so many years without ever having children?
Robert had diagnosed Aurora with uterine damage, caused by medications fed to her when she was very young. Initially, Julian thought Genevieve, out of sheer malice, was responsible.
However, after further investigation into the R family, he changed his mind. Genevieve indeed despised Aurora, viewing her as a threat. She would have eliminated Aurora, no doubt, but her method would surely be one that resulted in Aurora’s death, settling everything once and for all.
If it was merely about preventing Aurora from having children, it wouldn’t make much sense to Genevieve. Why would she bother with chronic medication when she could simply poison Aurora and be done with it?
Julian was certain that Genevieve was not the one who drugged Aurora. So who else close to her could have done it?
Magnus had no reason to do such a thing; he had always been a fool, kept in the dark. Julian had overlooked someone.
Victoria, Aurora’s biological mother. Robert had mentioned that the drugs were administered when Aurora was very young, at a time when she was completely unaware.
No one would suspect her own mother at first. Julian had been misled, thinking that depriving Aurora of motherhood was a cruel act only a vicious woman like Genevieve could commit. But now, he dared not think that way. What if the drugs were not meant to harm her, but to save her?
Why had Victoria faked her death and left, ignoring Aurora for so many years, even pretending to be a stranger when they met again?
All of it was strange indeed, so much so that another oddity seemed normal.
Julian didn’t know her reasons, but it at least proved one thing: Victoria was protecting Aurora in her way.
If she was going to such lengths for Aurora, wouldn’t investigating the matter go against her intentions?
Julian didn’t want to ask what kind of family Aurora was born into; he only ever wanted her and nothing else.
Even if they never had children, it didn’t matter. He wanted Aurora and nothing to disrupt their life together.
“Julian, what are you thinking about?”
Aurora noticed Julian’s furrowed brow, unsure of his thoughts.
“It’s nothing. Have you thought this through?”
Julian gathered his thoughts.
Aurora shook her head, “I haven’t decided. I always feel like this matter is shrouded in fog, just like you said. Can I really bear the cost of the truth?”
“Besides not acknowledging she is your mother, everything else about her is fine. I mean, maybe it’s best not to disrupt anything and just live our lives peacefully,” he reassured.
Hearing this, Julian felt somewhat relieved, knowing that ignorance was sometimes the best approach.
“Alright, I won’t think about it for now. My mother’s status is noble now; perhaps she is living happily,” Aurora considered, possibly overthinking things.
“Yes, that’s right. You haven’t even had breakfast; let’s go eat,” Julian said, cheerfully leading her away.