Even at a time like this, her attitude was still that arrogant.

One of the nurses inside the ambulance urged, “Miss Watson, we need to go. This child’s condition isn’t good.”

The head nurse grew anxious at that. She decided to get into the ambulance first. They needed to move quickly. She had only caught a few glimpses of the child earlier, but the girl was strikingly beautiful. She couldn’t bear the thought of such a child being ruined. And the burn looked dangerous–it wasn’t something to take lightly.

Just as the head nurse was about to climb in, a male voice called out, “Wait, I’m going with you.”

Everyone turned toward the sound. The head nurse saw a handsome man standing beside the child’s mother, his tone sharp. “She’s our child too. How could you be so heartless?”

Grace froze for a second before responding, “Who told her to try cooking? This was all her own doing. We had a housekeeper. Why did she insist on doing it herself?”

William felt a chill in his chest. Until now, he’d assumed it was because of him that Grace didn’t care for the child. But now it was clear–she simply didn’t like her. He closed his eyes, then silently climbed into the ambulance.

Grace said nothing as she watched the ambulance drive off, only gripping Tessa’s hand tightly.

Tessa flinched and murmured, “Mommy, that hurts.”

Startled, Grace immediately loosened her grip. She crouched down and gently stroked Tessa’s head. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. That was my fault. I’ll be more careful.”

Tessa, trying to be mature, replied softly, “It’s okay, Mommy. I know… you’re just worried about my sister.”

Hearing that, Grace’s hand paused mid-stroke on Tessa’s hair.

Even Aurora, watching from outside the screen, couldn’t help but start to hope. Was it really true? Was her mother actually worried about her? Somewhere deep down, a flicker of hope sparked in her chest. She even thought that if Grace truly admitted she cared, even just a little, then she would still be willing to treat her kindly in the future.

After all, Grace had given her life. Without her, none of this would even exist.

Chapter 695

That thought made Aurora’s emotions spiral like a rollercoaster. She stared at Grace’s expression as intently as the younger Tessa did. She didn’t want to miss a single detail. She wanted so badly to believe Grace still loved her. That what she’d said earlier had just been a lie to deceive the head nurse.

But in the very next moment, Grace confidently shook her head. “No, sweetheart, you’re overthinking. Just now, I was thinking about something else. Don’t worry, no one could ever replace you in my heart.”

Tessa lit up with joy. She threw herself into Grace’s arms. “I knew it! Mommy is the best!”

“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll treat you really, really well.”

Grace smiled warmly. “Good. Then I’ll be waiting, my darling. Don’t let Mommy down, okay?”

Tessa nodded firmly. “Of course not! I’ll be Mommy’s number one forever!”

Mother and daughter held each other tightly. And in contrast to the earlier shouting match with the head nurse, Aurora, still lying on the stretcher, suddenly felt like nothing more than a cruel joke.