Chapter 394
Leonard sat quietly in the back seat, watching the two figures in front of him. From behind, just the outline of their heads, they looked unexpectedly well-matched.
Aurora carried that quiet, refined composure, while Lucas exuded a cold, aloof presence, and somehow, the contrast worked perfectly.
Leonard had always assumed their marriage was a convenient arrangement, a matter of necessity rather than affection. But after spending even a short time around them, he began to realize that Aurora didn’t seem indifferent toward Lucas at all. In fact, when something came up, she instinctively glanced toward him, like she was seeking his input or relying on his opinion. It made Leonard question everything. Was there even a place for him anymore?
Looking at them now, it hit him that he was the outsider. The third party. Like some rat scurrying in the gutter, peeking into someone else’s well-lit home and calling it hope. His fingers curled into fists as he sat there, silent, reevaluating the path ahead.
Aurora, meanwhile, was entirely unaware of his inner turmoil. Her mind was consumed by one thing—her mother. The image of Grace coughing, clutching her chest, haunted her. It replayed over and over, impossible to shake. Aurora’s grip tightened around the steering wheel. In her heart, she kept repeating one thing: “Mom, please… hold on. I’m on my way.”
Meanwhile, at the Hunt estate, Joseph had brought Judy home with him. Despite his father’s previous objections, after everything that had happened today, Joseph was more convinced than ever that Judy was the one. Especially when Aurora lashed out at him, Judy had stood by him, mindful of his pride even when things got tense.
That thought made him squeeze Judy’s hand a little tighter. He was ready. Tonight, he’d formally introduce her to his parents.
But on the way there, Judy had grown increasingly uneasy. A sense of dread stirred in her chest. She turned to him and spoke softly, “Joseph… are you really sure about this? Maybe we should wait.”
Joseph shook his head. “How can we? I’ve already made up my mind. Why go back on it now?”
Joseph didn’t want to back down. Not now. After everything he’d seen today—how Judy stood by him, how thoughtfully she protected his pride—he was more certain than ever that she was someone worth holding on to.
But Judy couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. Something about all of it felt off and unnatural. “Do you really think your parents are going to accept us?” she asked, her voice tight.
Her lips pressed together as she added, “After all this time… have you even thought about our future? Or are you just with me because you like sleeping with me? Have you ever once pictured us getting married, starting a family?”
Her words struck him like a slap. Joseph froze. He’d thought he’d been ready—that he’d weighed it all out. But now, standing there, looking into Judy’s eyes, he realized just how shallow his plans had been. There was no clear answer in his head. No solid picture of what came next.
Judy watched his silence, and a bitter smile curled at the corner of her mouth. She’d known it. Men like Joseph always ran hot—intense, impulsive, but never prepared for the consequences.
And yet, what had she seen in him? What had made her think he was someone to marry? The thought felt humiliating.
Still, she didn’t blow up at him. She didn’t storm off or lay everything bare. She kept her face calm, composed, because she knew where she came from.
It was very rare for a girl from a struggling town, with no wealth or name, to land someone like Joseph.