CHAPTER 124: START FRESH

"Are you sure?" Aurora asked again, her voice soft as she turned the bank card over in her hand. She glanced at Daisy, who still looked pale even though it had already been three days since her discharge from the hospital.

"Hm." Daisy gave a small nod. "If it feels like too much, just pass it to Marla. She knows what to do with it."

Aurora reached over and wrapped her fingers gently around Daisy’s hand. "Daisy... should we move to another city? I mean... since I’ve already decided to resign... maybe we could just... start fresh. Open a small business. Like a cute little souvenir shop? We loved doing those things when we were teenagers, remember?"

Daisy lowered her gaze, her lips pressing into a faint line. "But Aurora, I don’t have any money with me. And it’s not like I can use the money he gave me... not after finding out he also cleared all my father’s debts."

Aurora reminded her, "No, it’s okay. Remember the money Theo gave me before? I still have it, but I haven’t used it yet..."

Daisy blinked. "How much?"

"Err... a few hundred thousand..." Aurora smiled awkwardly.

"That much?!" Daisy’s eyes widened in surprise... not in a bad way. "One?" She lifted a finger.

Aurora shook her head, then raised two fingers with a little grin. "Two. That’s enough, right? Enough to start a business, to start a new life in a new place?"

Daisy gazed at her for a long moment. Something had been tugging at her mind, and before she could stop herself, the words slipped out. "Why?"

Aurora blinked. "Why what?"

"I mean..." Daisy’s voice softened, tinged with genuine confusion. "Why do you want to quit and move from this city? Your parents are here, you have such a happy family... and your career is finally getting good, Aurora. So... why?"

Aurora went quiet, her eyes fixed on the blanket as though searching for answers in its folds. After a long pause, she finally lifted her gaze. "It’s just... I don’t think I can stay here anymore. Because every time I do, I’m reminded of the moment I chose to surrender to money..."

Daisy nodded slowly. "How about your parents? Do you think they’ll agree?"

Aurora’s smile softened as she gave a small nod. "I’ve been trying to explain it to them since last week, and they finally agreed yesterday." A faint relief showed in her expression. Then, as if catching herself, she waved her hand lightly. "So... I think that’s enough about me for today."

Her eyes flicked toward Daisy, warm but serious. "Now, how about you? I’ll give you time to think. Take it slow and remember, choose the one who makes you happiest."

Daisy blinked, her gaze fastening onto Aurora’s as if searching for reassurance. "Hmm... Aurora... Do you think he’s thinking about me right now? Will he be sad if I leave? Will he... look for me?"

Aurora exhaled slowly, her jaw tight. "You know what makes me angry, Daisy? He didn’t even let you explain. He shut you out before you could say a word. That’s not fair... not to you, not to what you two had."

Aurora’s eyes hardened, though her hand gently squeezed Daisy’s. "No. If he really loves you, he should be the one knocking on your door. Not the other way around."

Daisy’s lips quivered. "Then... is this the end of our relationship?"

Aurora exhaled, her jaw tight. "Maybe... Or maybe it’s just a pause until he learns the truth. But Daisy, listen to me... if a man loves you, he fights for you. He doesn’t let lies decide for him."

Daisy nodded weakly, her lashes trembling as she looked down at her hands.

Aurora’s gaze softened, but her voice stayed firm. "Don’t put all of yourself into someone who won’t even give you a chance to speak, Daisy. That’s not love... It’s fear, pride, maybe even cowardice. And you deserve better than that."

Daisy pressed her lips together, her chest tightening. "But what if... what if he never comes to me again?"

Aurora leaned closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from Daisy’s cheek. "Then he’s the one who loses, not you." She pulled Daisy into her arms and gave her a warm embrace. "You deserve better Daisy... I always pray for your happiness..."

For a moment, Daisy melted into comfort, her tears soaking Aurora’s shoulder. But Aurora’s own jaw clenched, her embrace tightening just a little. How could Theo turn his back on her without listening?

She whispered softly, though her tone carried a sting, "Let it all out, Daisy... and remember one thing... I will always be here, listening and supporting you."

One month later...

Theo sat slumped at his desk, one hand gripping his temple as the throbbing headache grew unbearable. His vision blurred from the pressure, and frustration etched deep lines into his face. With a sharp breath, he pressed the intercom button.

"Marla," his voice came out strained, "Call Miles. Tell him to come back right away."

On the other end, Marla’s voice crackled with confusion. "Why, sir? Is there anything I can do instead? Miles is out of town... it’ll take him a few hours just to book a flight back."

"I don’t care! Call him back!" Theo slammed his palm against the table, the sound echoing through the office.

His eyes dropped to the envelope Miles had handed him earlier that morning, just before boarding his flight out of the city. At the time, Theo hadn’t thought much of it. But now that he’d torn it open, the contents left his head pounding.

Two bank cards slipped out... one was the sleek black card he’d once given Daisy, the other unfamiliar, likely a new one. But what made his stomach twist and his temples throb was the third item tucked inside.

The divorce papers.

Theo’s grip tightened on the edge of the desk, his knuckles pale. For the first time in weeks, the weight of Daisy’s absence crashed down on him all at once.

"Call the driver now! I need to go back home!" he roared, his voice cracking as it reverberated through the office.

Without waiting for Marla’s reply, he shoved his chair back, nearly toppling it over, and stormed out of the room. His steps were uneven, frantic... like a man chasing something already slipping too far from his grasp.