CHAPTER 101: KINGSLEY’S CHAOS

Both Aurora’s parents looked at each other, and in that instant, her earlier words finally clicked. ’Just pretend Daisy isn’t here.’

Her mother’s lips parted in a small gasp, while her father’s brows furrowed deeply, as if the puzzle pieces had just arranged themselves into a picture they didn’t quite know how to handle.

Aurora, meanwhile, wished she could roll herself into a blanket and vanish.

"Ah, I’m quite hungry..." Liam suddenly broke the silence, his voice light as he eyed the table that was still full of food. "It’d be a shame to let it go cold, don’t you think?"

Her mother quickly shifted her posture, as if shaken out of a daze. "Ah, that is very rude of us. Please, come and join us."

Without wasting another second, she snatched up the empty bowl Daisy had been using earlier, too quickly, hoping no one noticed and hurried off toward the kitchen. "Ara, invite them to sit. I’ll get new bowls."

Aurora’s throat went dry. Invite them? Sit?

What she should really do was shove them out the door before Daisy’s legs gave out from standing behind it too long.

But Liam was already pulling a chair back like he owned the place, and Theo... Theo’s gaze swept around the house, sharp and unyielding, searching for any hint of Daisy’s presence.

Aurora’s pulse quickened. ’Please don’t notice... please don’t notice...’

She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her racing thoughts, as her mind frantically plotted how to keep Daisy hidden without raising suspicion.

"Have a seat, Mr. Williams. It would be awkward for me, the young one sitting while the homeowners standing," Liam’s voice cut through the tension, calm, his faint smile doing nothing to soften the sharp edge behind it.

Aurora’s pulse quickened. "Ah right, dad... go and sit first," she said hurriedly, gesturing toward the remaining chairs.

Her father hesitated for a moment, glancing at Aurora with a mix of confusion and unease, before finally lowering himself into a chair across from Liam. Aurora’s hands tightened on the edge of the table, trying to steady herself, her mind racing with how to keep Daisy hidden while keeping the conversation normal.

From behind the bathroom door, Daisy held her breath, pressing herself against the wall. Every word she heard, every subtle movement, made her stomach knot tighter. She dared not peek, fearing that even the slightest motion could give her away.

Aurora forced a strained smile at the men. "Have a seat Mr. Kingsley." She called for Theo as she saw his eyes darted around the house.

Theo’s gaze lingered on the room for a moment longer, sharp and assessing, before he finally moved toward the dining table. He lowered himself into the chair with an almost casual grace, though every inch of his posture radiated control.

Aurora’s pulse raced as she guided him with a subtle hand gesture toward his seat. "Wait for a while," she said, her voice careful, measured, hiding the urgency behind her calm.

Aurora’s mother came in with two extra bowls, placing them carefully in front of the two brothers.

"Interesting..." Liam smiled, striking Aurora with his sharp gaze immediately. ’Is he sick?’ she wondered. He never smiled like this in front of her.

"So, you’re mixed?" Liam’s eyes landed on Aurora, catching her off guard as she found herself inadvertently judging him with her eyes.

Aurora’s cheeks flushed, realizing she had been caught off guard. "I... I guess you could say that," she muttered, averting her gaze. "My mom is Asian."

Theo’s eyes flicked toward her briefly, then returned to the table, as if noting the detail without comment.

Aurora’s father cleared his throat, trying to ease the tension. "Well, let’s eat, shall we?" he said, gesturing toward the table.

Aurora’s mother nodded, placing a hand gently on Aurora’s arm before whispering, "Just act normal, dear. It’s only dinner."

Aurora exhaled slowly, forcing herself to smile as she sat down, glancing briefly toward the bathroom door where Daisy still hid. She silently prayed that neither Theo nor Liam would notice, and that they could all make it through this dinner without disaster.

Liam picked up his chopsticks, eyeing the dishes with an unreadable expression. "Your cooking is great, Mrs. Williams" he said simply, and started eating.

Aurora’s mother’s lips curved into a small, pleased smile. "Thank you, Mr. Kingsley. I’m glad you like it."

Liam put down his chopstick for a while and waved his hand, "Just call me Liam."

Aurora’s mother chuckled softly, nodding. "Alright, Liam. Thank you."

Theo, meanwhile, picked up a piece of food, his eyes scanning the table but not giving anything away. He said nothing, letting the silence between bites speak volumes.

Aurora shifted in her seat, careful to keep her posture straight, her mind flicking nervously toward the dark bathroom where Daisy was still hiding. ’Please, just hold on...’ she thought, tension coiling in her chest.

Aurora’s father set down his chopsticks, frowning slightly. "You said you were looking for your wife earlier... but why come here, in the middle of the night, to our home?" His voice was calm, but firm, betraying the conflict in his mind. "Even if it’s important, even if there’s a reason related to Aurora, barging into someone else’s house... it isn’t proper."

Aurora’s chest tightened. Each word her father spoke seemed to stretch the fragile calm in the room even thinner.

Theo’s eyes flicked toward him, steady and unreadable. "I apologize for the intrusion, Mr. Williams. Since Aurora is my wife’s closest friend, I thought she might be here."

Her father held Theo’s gaze evenly, unflinching. "Is she running from you? Did she fight with you... or did you do something to make her run?"

Theo’s jaw tightened slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. "I... may have done something to upset her. I’m here to bring her back and talk things through."

Aurora shifted nervously in her seat, her fingers tightening around her chopsticks. Every second felt heavier and she made a big mistake by continuing glancing towards the toilet.

Her father’s stern expression softened slightly, though his tone remained measured. "I understand wanting to resolve matters, but barging into someone’s home at this hour is not proper. Respect must be part of any reconciliation."

Theo inclined his head subtly, acknowledging the point, but his gaze followed Aurora’s and landed on the bathroom. Putting down his spoon, he said, "I’m sorry... but can I use your toilet?"