Aurora's chest tightened, her breath catching at the sight of Julia's name on the phone screen.
She forced herself to keep her gaze on the plate as she tried to push down the unwelcome surge of emotions.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Lucas shift in his seat. His gaze landed on her, and for a brief second, their eyes met.
Aurora quickly dropped her eyes to her food, the fork in her hand moving aimlessly as she pretended to be absorbed in the meal.
Lucas's chair scraped against the floor and he stood, the sound sharp in the dining area.
With his expression neutral and voice flat, he announced. "I have something urgent to attend to."
Nana Rossi looked up, her brows furrowing with concern. "But is it really that important, Lucas? Family is more important than business."
Aurora's mind raced. 'It's not business, Grandma. It's Julia.'
The memory of Lucas's obsession with Julia during their marriage flooded back, the late nights where he would scour the internet for updates on her, longing for someone who wasn't her.
The realization that she had never truly been his settled heavily on her heart.
Lucas didn't offer any more explanations.
"It is important, Nana," he replied, his tone firm as he grabbed his car keys.
Nana looked disappointed but didn't press further. "Who will take Aurora back to the mansion?" she asked, her concern for Aurora evident.
Before Aurora could respond, Lucas quickly said, "My driver will drop her off."
His focus was already on leaving, not sparing a moment for anyone's reaction.
Nana's eyes widened in shock at his sudden coldness.
Aurora, trying to ease the situation, forced a smile. "It's fine, really. I can take a cab."
Nana shook her head, refusing to accept the idea. "I won't hear of it. My granddaughter-in-law isn't taking a cab when her husband can drive her home."
But Lucas, eager to leave, insisted, "The driver will handle it," and with that, he walked out the door, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
Aurora watched him go, her heart sinking further.
She turned back to Nana, hoping to reassure her. "Really, it's okay. I don't mind," she said, trying to sound convincing, though she knew Nana wasn't fully buying it.
Nana Rossi didn't argue further, but the look in her eyes showed that she wasn't entirely convinced either.
When the meal came to an end, Nana Rossi clapped her hands together with a warm smile, determined to lift the mood.
"Now that we've had a lovely meal, I have a little surprise for you, Aurora," she said, her tone brightening as she shifted her focus to something she had planned to share, even if Lucas wasn't there to see it.
Lucas's mother's eyes brightened at the mention of a surprise.
Aurora exchanged a curious glance with Nora, who responded with a raised eyebrow.
With a gentle smile, Nana gestured for Aurora to follow her into the bedroom.
Nora and her mother quickly rose, curiosity and anticipation evident on their faces as they trailed behind.
When they entered the bedroom, Nana Rossi walked over to an ornate chest, opening it carefully.
She pulled out a small, velvet box, her hands gentle but eyes glistening with emotion.
Turning back to Aurora, she smiled warmly and opened the box to reveal an exquisite necklace—delicate, sparkling diamonds set in a design that spoke of old-world craftsmanship.
Aurora's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the necklace's value.
It wasn't just any necklace; it was the most valuable heirloom in the Rossi family, passed down through generations.
She had heard whispers about it but never imagined she'd ever see it in person.
In today's world, that same necklace was worth at least two million dollars!
Lucas's mother's eyes widened at the sight of it, the undeniable look of recognition flashing across her face.
She knew exactly how much that necklace was worth, and the fact that Nana brought it out in Aurora's presence instead of hers or Nora's was something she couldn't overlook.
Nora, standing beside her, quickly did the math in her head, the amount sending a wave of disbelief through her.
She exchanged a glance with her mother, the unspoken question in her eyes: Why would Nana bring out something so valuable in Aurora's presence? She shouldn't trust such a witch.
"Aurora, this is for you," Nana said, her voice filled with love and pride. "My grandparents passed it down to me, and now I want you to have it because you'll be the one to give me my first great-grandchildren."
Aurora's heart pounded as she stared at the necklace, overwhelmed by the gesture and the immense responsibility that came with it.
Just as she was about to respond, Lucas's mother stepped forward, her voice tight with forced politeness. "But, Nana, I'm your daughter-in-law. Shouldn't this go to me? Or to Nora?"
Nora nodded, still in shock at the value of the gift. "Yes, Nana, it should stay with family."
Nana Rossi's smile didn't falter. "This is staying in the family, exactly where it belongs—with Aurora. She will bring the next generation into this world. It's only right that she receives it."
Aurora, feeling the weight of both the necklace and the situation, hesitated.
Accepting something so valuable felt wrong, especially with the divorce looming over her head.
She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Nana, this is incredibly generous, but I don't think I can accept it. It's such a precious heirloom, and I—"
Nana's hand gently squeezed hers, cutting her off. "Aurora, you're part of this family, and you always will be. This necklace is a symbol of that bond. I want you to have it, not just for what it means now, but for what it represents for the future. Please, take it."
Aurora looked into Nana's earnest eyes, knowing she couldn't refuse, but also knowing the truth she couldn't reveal.
With a heavy heart, she nodded, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Nana. I'll treasure it always."
Nana Rossi beamed as she clasped the necklace around Aurora's neck, the diamonds catching the light.
"It looks perfect on you, dear," she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. "Just like it was meant to be."
But the warm moment was quickly overshadowed by the cold tension building in the room.
Lucas's mother pursed her lips, her displeasure barely concealed.
Nora, standing beside her, crossed her arms tightly, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the necklace resting against Aurora's collarbone.
"Well, if that's settled," Lucas's mother began, her voice clipped, "we should be going."
She glanced at Nora, who nodded in silent agreement, the anger in her eyes clear.
Without another word, Lucas's mother turned on her heel and walked briskly toward the door.
Nora followed suit, not bothering to mask her irritation.
The two women left the room, their footsteps echoing through the hallway as they exited.
Aurora watched them leave, their anger clear in every step.
She knew it wasn't just about the necklace—it was also about her showing up with Lucas, pretending they were still a couple. They hadn't expected that.
Nana Rossi, seemingly oblivious to that, squeezed Aurora's hand again, her smile unwavering. "Don't mind them, dear. Some people just don't understand that life moves forward, and we have to cherish the moments we're given."
Aurora forced a smile, though her mind was elsewhere, weighed down by the reality of her situation. "I appreciate that, Nana. Truly."
Nana, content with the way things had unfolded, took a step back to admire the necklace around Aurora's neck.
Her smile was warm and filled with affection, but as she looked at Aurora's face, her expression shifted slightly, noticing the tension that Aurora was struggling to hide.
She placed a gentle hand on Aurora's shoulder, her eyes filled with concern.
"Aurora, dear," she began softly, her voice laced with genuine care, "Is everything alright? You've been quiet today, and I couldn't help but notice the tension earlier, when Lucas left so abruptly. Is there something wrong between you two?"
Aurora felt a lump in her throat. She had been trying so hard to keep up appearances, but Nana's question pierced through her defenses.
She glanced away, trying to gather herself before meeting Nana's gaze again.
"Nana," she started, her voice shaky but steadying as she spoke, "Lucas and I… we've just been going through a rough patch lately. It's nothing to worry about, just... you know how busy he is with work."
Nana Rossi's brow furrowed, her concern deepening. "I understand that Lucas is busy, but marriage is about more than just work, Aurora. You two need to take care of each other, to be there for one another. Is that all it is? Just work?"
Aurora hesitated, torn between telling the truth and keeping up the façade that had been carefully maintained.
She forced a smile, hoping it would be enough to reassure Nana. "It's just been a lot of stress with his business lately. We're working through it, though. Please don't worry."
Nana wasn't entirely convinced, but she nodded slowly, still searching Aurora's face for any hint of what might truly be troubling her. "I hope that's all it is, my dear. You know, if there's ever anything you need to talk about, I'm here for you."
Aurora's eyes welled up with tears, but she blinked them back quickly, not wanting to worry Nana further. "Thank you, Nana. That means a lot to me."
Nana gently squeezed her shoulder. "That's what Nanas are for, sweetie. To love and support you."
Aurora smiled, though her heart remained heavy with the secret she carried.
As much as she wanted to confide in Nana, she couldn't bring herself to shatter the older woman's happiness with the truth of her and Lucas's divorce.
Nana, sensing that the conversation was too much for Aurora at the moment, let out a small sigh and smiled warmly. "Alright, let's not dwell on the tough things today. How about you head home and have a good rest?"