“Miss Aurora, do you dare to make a bet with me? If he truly loves you, and you love him just as deeply, then even after you forget him, if you two can still find your way back to each other, I’ll break the rules for you. And I will fulfill my duty and never interfere with you again. How about it?” Bramwell Elderstone’s voice was calm, but his words carried a weight that hung heavily in the air.
Aurora’s expression didn’t falter. “You’re still insisting on making me take the FT2 injection?”
“Yes, please forgive me. It’s my duty. I’m also curious to see just how profound the love you speak of truly is.” Bramwell’s deep-set eyes glimmered with a hidden intent, as though his mind had wandered to something else.
Aurora fell silent. Forgetting Julian would be so unfair to him. He had just found himself again-how could she do this to him? And what about her mother? Her mother was lying weak in a hospital bed, and Aurora had finally seen the truth about the R family-a heartless, manipulative clan that cared only about its own interests.
“Miss Aurora, have you made up your mind? Or are you hesitating because you lack confidence in your love?” Bramwell pressed on, his voice sharp.
“You don’t need to use reverse psychology on me. I’ll take the bet. If I can fall in love with him again after losing all my memories, you’ll never interfere again?”
“Yes. I’ll step aside entirely. And if you can prove the greatness of love, I will destroy the FT2 formula.”
“I also want to rewrite the family rules. Is that acceptable?”
“If you can overturn them, you’ll have the right to set new ones,” Bramwell replied with a faint smile. Although his tone was professional, it was clear he didn’t personally believe this was a good idea.
“Fine. I agree to the bet. You won’t go back on your word, will you?” Aurora’s gaze was steady as she confronted him.
“Miss Aurora, what kind of man do you think I am? Everything I do is for the benefit of the family. If your choices lead to a brighter future for us, I will support you in everything.”
“Alright. I’ll prove everything to you. Love and family can coexist. Nothing can defeat our love.”
“Miss Aurora, I’m glad to see your resolve. I’ve read your file-you’re a capable person. I believe you’ll be a suitable leader for the family. Let’s begin.” Bramwell’s tone grew urgent, as though he couldn’t wait any longer.
“Grandpa Bramwell, I have a request,” Aurora said suddenly.
“What is it?”
“I want to see him one last time. Give me three days. I’ll come back to you after that. If I have to leave, shouldn’t I at least say goodbye?” Her voice softened as she thought of Julian, who was likely already frantically searching for her.
She felt a pang of guilt. She was going to hurt him again.
“Fine. I trust you, Miss Aurora. You won’t deceive me, will you?”
“I won’t.”
“Good. In three days, I’ll send Mira to fetch you. This place isn’t easy to find.”
“Alright.”
“Miss Aurora, don’t blame me. We’re running out of time. You are the family’s only hope.”
“I understand. I also brought a friend here with me. I don’t want to keep him waiting. May I leave now?” Aurora thought of Asher and how worried he must be by now.
“Of course. I’ll take you to him.” Bramwell stood and opened the door to his study.
The mansion was vast and eerily quiet. As they walked through its halls, Aurora asked, “Grandpa Bramwell, is there no way to break the curse?”
Her agreement to his terms had largely been driven by her determination to resolve this one issue. She couldn’t let her mother suffer because of it.
“When you become the head of the family, you can seek the answer yourself,” Bramwell replied with a sigh.
It was clear he wasn’t telling her the whole truth. Aurora’s resolve only grew stronger. If there was a curse, there had to be a way to break it.
By the time they reached the room, Asher’s voice was already echoing through the door. “You’d better let her go right now! If she gets hurt, I’ll burn this place to the ground!”
Mira, standing nearby, scoffed and rubbed her ear. “I told you, Miss Aurora is just talking with Mr. Elderstone. Why are you acting like such a nagging old man?”
“Who knows what you’re doing behind closed doors?” Asher snapped.
“Ashy,” Aurora called out as she pushed the door open. She saw Asher pacing anxiously, his expression dark with worry.
At the sight of her, Asher rushed over. “Did they do anything to you?”
“Relax, I’m fine. I just had a conversation with Mr. Elderstone, that’s all.” To reassure him, Aurora spun around in place. “See? Perfectly unharmed.”
“Good. This place is awful. Let’s go,” Asher said, his relief evident.
“Alright. Ashy, I want to go see my mom. Come with me,” Aurora said gently.
“Of course.” Asher’s worry faded as he saw she was safe.
“I’ll take you there,” Mira offered.
“No thanks. Just give us the address. We’ll drive ourselves. Who knows where you might take us next?” Asher shot back, still on edge from earlier.
“Suit yourself.” Mira huffed, rattled off an address, and stalked away.
Bramwell’s demeanor softened as he watched them. “If the family head knows you’re visiting her, she’ll be happy. She never says it, but we all know you’re the one she cares about most.”
“It’s my fault for not understanding her intentions all these years.” Aurora felt a deep sense of shame. She hadn’t been there when her mother needed her most.
“It doesn’t matter. You can make up for it now. Don’t keep her waiting,” Bramwell said kindly.
Aurora nodded. “I won’t.”
She and Asher left the sprawling, intimidating mansion and got into the car. As soon as they were on the road, Asher turned to her. “Did he really not do anything to you?”
“I’m pregnant. What could he possibly do to me?” Aurora teased, smiling at Asher’s overprotectiveness. She was grateful to have a friend like him.
“If he didn’t do anything, then he must’ve said something. Otherwise, why go through all the trouble of bringing you there?” Asher frowned, clearly not convinced.
“Ashy, it’s fine. Don’t worry,” Aurora reassured him. She didn’t tell him the details of her agreement with Bramwell. The less he knew, the better.
“Alright. As long as you’re okay. If anything happened to you, Julian would lose his mind,” Asher muttered, his concern never fully fading.
—
At the clinic, Tina’s health had begun to improve now that she knew Aurora was safe. John Walsh stayed by her side, taking care of her every need.
Erica rushed into the room, her face pale. “Something’s wrong. I just heard from someone at the company-Miss Aurora went there looking for you!”
“What? She came looking for me? Where is she now?” Tina’s voice trembled with urgency. Aurora was in New York, and she hadn’t known? How was that possible?
She quickly asked for her phone. Hours ago, Julian had called her, but with her health deteriorating, her phone had been on silent.