“Since it’s your lucky charm, I can’t take it. You’re expecting now, and you’ll be returning to the family soon. You should keep it,” Tina said, handing the bracelet back.
“Mom, my health is perfectly fine right now. But your complexion looks so pale. I can’t always be by your side, so if you wear this bracelet, it’ll feel like I’m with you all the time, okay? Even if the lucky charm is just psychological, I truly hope you’ll get better. You need to live a long life,” Aurora said as she carefully placed the bracelet on Tina’s wrist.
“Alright then,” Tina replied, knowing it was likely just a comforting notion, and didn’t refuse further.
The two shared a heartfelt conversation, so warm and intimate that anyone overhearing might mistake them for sisters. Tina’s face was remarkably smooth, without any visible wrinkles.
John Walsh entered with a platter of fruit. “Are you two done talking? May I come in now?” He always seemed to know what Tina was up to, as if he could read her mind.
“Yes, come in,” Tina said.
The fruit platter was thoughtfully prepared: some of it was Aurora’s favorite, while the rest was Tina’s. It was clear how attentive John was, making sure everyone’s preferences were considered.
“Thank you, Uncle John,” Aurora said sincerely.
When Tina had first appeared, Aurora had desperately wished for her parents, Tina and Magnus, to reconcile. Magnus had made mistakes, but he had always loved Tina. As their daughter, Aurora naturally longed for her parents to reunite.
However, after John Walsh entered the picture, Aurora realized she had been wrong. John treated Tina so well that, perhaps, he was better for her than Magnus ever was.
Reuniting her parents was important, but more than that, Aurora wanted her mother to be happy. If John Walsh was the one who could bring that happiness, then she had no objections.
“Thank me? Taking care of you two is my responsibility,” John said with a smile, placing the fruit platter on the table. He then adjusted a pillow behind Tina to make her more comfortable. His actions were so smooth and practiced that it was clear he had done this countless times before.
After making sure Tina was comfortable, he picked up a fork, speared a piece of orange, and brought it to Tina’s lips. “Eat some orange to get your vitamins.”
When Aurora wasn’t around, this was how the two of them usually interacted. But now, with Aurora present, Tina’s face flushed. She quickly stopped him.
It wasn’t just embarrassment. Tina was also worried about how Aurora might feel. After all, Magnus was her father, and no child would want to see their parent with a new partner, right?
Aurora noticed Tina’s hesitation-the way her lips had parted to accept the orange before closing again, followed by a quick, shy glance in her direction. She understood instantly that Tina was feeling awkward.
“I can feed myself,” Tina said, reaching for the fork.
John was used to feeding her. In the past, Tina had been fiercely independent, never relying on anyone for anything. Now that he finally had a chance to care for her, John didn’t want to let it slip away.
“I’ll feed you,” he insisted.
“I’m not so fragile,” Tina replied, trying to refuse without sounding harsh.
“You’re not fragile? That day, your heart almost stopped! Do you even know how worried I was about you?” John’s voice trembled slightly, revealing his lingering fear.
Aurora froze, her face turning pale. “That day… Was it the same day I fell into the ocean?”
“Yes,” Tina admitted. “Julian was worried about my health and didn’t dare tell me directly. I found out through the news that you were missing. I was so scared that I fainted on the spot.”
Thankfully, John had been by her side and rushed her to the hospital in time. Tina spoke of it lightly now, but Aurora could imagine how dire the situation must have been. Her heart clenched just thinking about it.
Tina noticed Aurora’s pale face and held her hand tightly. “It’s okay. See? I’m perfectly fine now. Don’t worry, alright?”
“Yes, the situation was serious back then. But now that she’s out of danger, if you visit her often, Tina’s health will recover even faster,” John chimed in, feeding Tina another piece of orange.
Distracted by the conversation, Tina forgot about her earlier hesitation and instinctively ate the orange. As she chewed, she suddenly remembered Aurora was still in the room. Spitting it out would be even more awkward, so she swallowed it, her face red with embarrassment.
“Don’t do that, the child is still here,” she scolded John, playfully hitting him on the arm.
Ever since she returned to the family, Tina had become like an ice queen, dedicating all her energy to work. But now, seeing her blush like a shy young woman, John felt a surge of affection. If Aurora weren’t present, he would have struggled to contain himself.
Adorable little Tina. That’s what John thought in that moment.
In his eyes, Tina would always be his little girl, no matter how capable and formidable she appeared to the outside world. She was someone he wanted to cherish and care for forever.
Aurora noticed their interaction and smiled. John’s love and Tina’s bashfulness clearly showed how much they cared for each other.
“Mom, you and Uncle John can act like I’m not here. I’m pregnant, after all-I understand. You don’t have to treat me like a child,” Aurora said, her voice lighthearted.
Her understanding made John smile warmly. “Little Aurora, you really don’t mind me and your mom being together?”
Tina pinched his hand discreetly, scolding him for being so blunt. She hadn’t even had a chance to discuss this with Aurora properly.
Aurora caught the nervous expressions on both their faces, realizing how much they valued her opinion. If she objected, she’d only become a barrier to their happiness.
Having experienced so much herself, Aurora deeply understood how rare and precious love was. She could never bring herself to destroy someone else’s happiness.
“As long as Uncle John treats Mom well, I don’t mind at all. I just want Mom to be happy,” Aurora said with a bright smile.
Relief washed over both of them at her words.
“Aurora, I’ll tell you more about John and me later. I’m so glad you’re okay with this,” Tina said softly.
“I know Dad hurt you, and it’s your choice whether to forgive him or not. I tried to bring you two together before because I didn’t know about Uncle John. But now that I see how good he is to you, I’m happy and feel at ease leaving you in his hands,” Aurora said, placing Tina’s hand in John’s large, steady one.
In the darkest times, someone who refuses to abandon you is truly worth treasuring. Such a person deserves to be cherished forever.
“Uncle John, you must take good care of my mom,” Aurora said solemnly, her tone resembling that of a parent entrusting their daughter to a groom on her wedding day.