Aurora quickly closed the tablet, shoving it into a desk drawer. Aurora stood up, running a hand through her messy hair to smooth it down.
Aurora pushed the bedroom door open and walked into the hallway, stopping short as she came face-to-face with Seraphina, who was helping Leo take off his coat.
Julian followed Seraphina and Leo inside. When Julian saw Aurora, his brow furrowed, a flicker of annoyance in Julian's eyes.
The joyful expression on Leo's face vanished the moment Leo saw his mother. Leo immediately ducked behind Seraphina.
Seraphina offered a flawless, gentle smile. "Aurora," Seraphina said, taking a step forward. "We just got back."
Aurora stared at Seraphina coldly, offering no sign language in response. The silence in the entryway was heavy and suffocating.
Julian tossed his suit jacket onto the sofa. "What's wrong with you?" Julian said, his voice sharp. "Can't you even manage basic courtesy?"
Aurora's nails dug into her palms. Aurora's hands moved quickly, her signs sharp and angry. "Why is she in our home?"
Julian understood Aurora perfectly. Julian's face darkened. "Seraphina is my mother's adopted daughter," Julian said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Seraphina is family. She will be treated as such."
The words hit Aurora like a lightning strike. Aurora took an involuntary step back, her disbelieving gaze shifting between Julian and Seraphina.
Seraphina lowered her head, her voice trembling with manufactured hurt. "If I'm not welcome, I can leave," Seraphina whispered, her eyes welling up with tears.
Seraphina made a show of reaching for her coat, but Julian grabbed Seraphina by the wrist, gently pushing Seraphina down to sit on the sofa.
Suddenly, Leo rushed forward and shoved Aurora hard. "Don't you dare make Aunt Seraphina leave!" Leo shouted.
Caught off guard, Aurora stumbled backward, the sharp corner of the coffee table digging into Aurora's lower back. Aurora sucked in a sharp breath of pain.
Aurora ignored the throbbing in her back, her shocked eyes fixed on the son she had carried for nine months. The hurt in Aurora's expression was raw.
Leo's face was red with anger. "All my friends have normal moms!" Leo yelled. "You're a mute! You embarrass me at school!"
He words were a rusty knife, twisting in Aurora's heart. Aurora opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Only a silent, desperate gasp.
Julian made no move to stop Leo. Instead, Julian looked at Aurora with cold indifference. "Leo's just telling the truth, Aurora. You should face reality."
Seraphina put on a show of gentle scolding. "Leo, darling, you can't speak to your mother that way," Seraphina said, but the corner of Seraphina's mouth twitched into a barely concealed smirk.
A wave of dizziness washed over Aurora. Aurora bit her lower lip so hard she tasted blood, the coppery tang a grim anchor to reality. It was the only way to hold back the tears.
Aurora's trembling hands formed one last question. "Are you planning to have her replace me completely?"
Julian looked away, his jaw tight as Julian loosened his tie. "You're being irrational," Julian snapped, refusing to answer.
Seraphina stood up, grabbing her purse. "I don't want to cause any trouble between you two," Seraphina said, her voice laced with false sincerity as Seraphina walked toward the door.
Julian immediately followed Seraphina, not sparing a single glance for his injured wife. Julian escorted Seraphina out of the apartment.
The heavy front door slammed shut, leaving Aurora alone in the living room with Leo, who was still glaring at Aurora with resentment.
Aurora fought back her tears and reached a hand out toward her son, a silent plea for Leo to come to her.
Leo slapped Aurora's hand away with disgust. "I hate you!" Leo screamed, then turned and ran to his room.
The sound of Leo's door slamming shut echoed through the silent apartment. Aurora's hand remained frozen in the air, the warmth draining from it completely.
Aurora slowly lowered her arm, clutching her aching abdomen. Aurora's legs gave out, and she sank to her knees on the cold Persian rug.
Staring at the closed door to her son's room, Aurora finally understood. Aurora had nothing left in this home. It was time to leave.
