Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Looking at Simon, he was quite relaxed about it all. After greeting everyone, he just went to sit and wait for dinner.

This made Aurora quite displeased.

When Mia went to the kitchen to help with cooking and saw Aurora come in, she quickly pulled her aside and whispered, "What's really going on between you and Simon?"

When Aurora came home to stay a few days ago, she was clearly unhappy. How could Mia not notice?

Now seeing Simon come back with Aurora, Mia was even more confused.

Aurora took vegetables out of the fridge to prepare them, helping out, but didn't plan to say anything.

She couldn't figure out what Simon really meant anymore.

If they truly had no feelings left, and he wanted to be with Blair, and was only dragging things out with Aurora to protect his reputation, Aurora wouldn't stand in his way at all.

But he kept saying he wanted to start over with Aurora.

This emotional tug-of-war was making Aurora even more miserable.

"I don't know what we are right now either."

Aurora sniffled and added, "Can you not ask for now? I really don't know what to do."

Seeing her looking so upset, Mia couldn't press further. She pinched Aurora's cheek, "Don't panic. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out slowly, okay?"

"I know."

Leaving the kitchen, Aurora immediately spotted Simon in the distance.

He was leaning back on the sofa doing something, holding his phone and replying to messages, seemingly communicating with his assistant.

Sophia sat far away at the table drinking water, also looking down at her phone without moving.

The living room atmosphere was stiff and awkward, while the kitchen was bustling with activity, with sounds from the caregiver and Mia coming through from time to time.

After a while, Sophia looked up, "I'll go help out. Aurora, you and Simon can talk here."

Aurora nodded, watching Sophia go to the kitchen, then sat quietly to one side.

Instead, Simon, who had been looking at his phone, suddenly looked up, "Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"

"What could I possibly say to you?" Aurora replied instinctively.

Actually, if he hadn't insisted on asking, she wouldn't even bother talking to him.

But Simon got up and came over, deliberately sitting close to Aurora, "I came to keep you company, aren't you happy?"

Aurora fell silent, not saying a word.

In her heart, she cursed him several times.

"Are you cursing me in your head? Aurora, I invited you to attend the party together, have you decided yet?"

Aurora didn't look up, "I've decided. I'll go by myself."

"Mr. Radcliffe said he hopes we'll appear together."

"Then I won't go."

That's what she said, but she didn't want to miss this opportunity.

Daniel had heard Aurora was going to this party and had reached out to say he'd be there too, and they could discuss Summit Capital's upcoming projects at the party.

A muffled laugh came from Simon's throat. He pressed Aurora against his chest, his laughter vibrating through his chest, pressing warmly against her back.

The two of them stayed like this, their posture particularly intimate.

When he spoke, his warm breath hit her back. Aurora felt somewhat uncomfortable and wanted to sit farther away, but Simon refused to let her go.

This continued until Sophia came out and saw the two in the living room, frowning, "You two are still so clingy."

"When you get married, Aurora and I will definitely prepare a special gift for you." Simon casually responded.

Sophia laughed and said, "I'm not getting married yet. I've already said I'll stay with Aurora, and when she retires, the two of us will travel the world."

She deliberately didn't include Simon in the plan.

Aurora secretly laughed to herself. Sure enough, Simon's arms around her stiffened a bit, as if he'd embarrassed himself.

During dinner, Simon took several phone calls.

Aurora thought he'd leave to work after hanging up, but each time he came back to continue eating with them.

Mia smiled and said, "You're so busy, you really don't need to come here specially for dinner. Aurora and I don't usually need much looking after."

"It's only right that I come see you. I've been too busy with work before and couldn't take care of you both. I feel bad about it myself."

Simon always said the right things. Aurora was used to it and kept her head down, continuing to eat.

Throughout the meal, everyone had their own thoughts. Aurora felt uncomfortable.

She didn't want to reconcile with Simon, but right now, it seemed like they were both stuck in an impossible situation, neither able to back down.

Only after Simon left did Aurora breathe a sigh of relief.

Before leaving, Sophia reminded her, "Aurora, if it really doesn't work out, just use the same attitude you had dealing with Isabella. Now that their family wants money and resources from Simon, you should show the attitude Mrs. Coldridge should have and refuse to give anything."

"Between love and money, you should at least have one."

Aurora thought that made sense and said with a smile, "Okay, I understand."

Thinking about what had happened these past few days, she still felt uneasy.



Mr. Radcliffe's party was postponed twice and was finally set for half a month later.

When Aurora was changing at home, Mia came out and saw her daughter wearing a formal dress she didn't usually wear. Her eyes lit up.

"Aurora, where are you going?"

Mia came closer and walked around Aurora in a circle, her eyes full of longing for youth, "You're so beautiful."

"Really?" Aurora gently held her skirt and spun around, as if deliberately asking if she looked good.

Mia touched her own hair and said wistfully, "At my age, I can't wear beautiful clothes anymore..."

Hearing this made Aurora feel a bit sad. She took Mia's hand and acted cute, "What kind of clothes do you want to wear? I'll take you to the mall later and pick out some nice ones for you."

"No need. I don't have any occasions to go to anyway."

Mia waved her hands repeatedly, smiling and saying she didn't need any.

But Aurora was quite insistent, "Of course you need them. Even at home you can dress up. Don't worry, I have money."

"If nothing else, you can find some good friends to go shopping with. Those ladies have the same taste as you and can probably give you advice."

Mia was coaxed into laughing by her daughter, but after a moment she sighed, "Actually, it's not necessary. Just seeing you grow up well is good enough..."

"Aurora, you are my hope and future."

Learning that Aurora was attending Mr. Radcliffe's party, Mia seemed particularly emotional.

Aurora felt something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She could only nod, "Even if I'm your future, you should think more about yourself. Mom, you're just sick, you're not really old."

Mia had truly given selflessly to her. Even though she wasn't her biological daughter, she had never let her suffer.