Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 163 Is It Mother?

Aurora had spent a delightful Saturday with Julian, sleeping in until the sun was high in the sky. When she awoke, she found herself alone. She had grown accustomed to seeing him upon opening her eyes. Not seeing him now felt odd, as if it wasn't just the bed that was empty, but her heart as well.

A wry, helpless smile curled the corners of her mouth. She realized how terrifying habits could be. For so many years she had been alone, and yet, in the short time she had been with him, she had grown accustomed to his embrace.

Aurora glanced at the clock and was surprised to find it was nearly eleven. She hurriedly got out of bed and started her day. When she came downstairs, she found Julian playing chess with Oswaldo, which explained why he hadn't woken her. He had gone to keep her grandfather company.

A faint smile touched her lips. "Grandpa, wasn't playing all day yesterday enough?"

"Julian's chess skills are exceptional. I refuse to believe I can't beat him," Oswaldo declared.

"Julian, it looks like you'll have to lose a game, or else you won't be leaving this place," Aurora joked from the side.

She had always longed for such a harmonious family environment, something she hadn't felt since her mother's death. Not long after her mother passed away, Genevieve moved into the Montgomery family's villa with her two children, and Aurora was left to live an unhappy life.

As a child, those two were like little demons, following Genevieve's bidding and scheming against her. Eventually, Aurora was driven away from the dining table, forced to watch the happy family from a distance.

Magnus, who once adored her, turned cold, never believing her explanations that she was not at fault. Over time, Aurora became more withdrawn, no longer expecting anything, merely observing everything as an outsider.

Even when she had resigned herself to her fate, they were relentless, pushing her to her current state of misery.

"What are you thinking about? You seem so lost," Julian remarked. Although he was playing chess with Oswaldo, his attention was fully on Aurora. He was keenly aware of even the slightest change in her expression and felt a deep pity seeing the desolation in her eyes just then.

is almost ready. Come over once you finish this game," she said with a smile, then turned to

then, Aurora's phone rang. It was Asher. She remembered the photo she had

"Got any news?"

am?" Asher snorted. She could almost picture the expression on his face through

don't care. After all the overtime I put in to restore that photo for you,

out if it's the

Aurora urged,

it merely someone who looked similar, or was it

but sensing her urgency, he decided to

call ended, Asher sent her the photo. The moment she saw the face in

"Mom..."

The face etched in her memory slowly merged with the photo before her. Though still somewhat blurry, it was much clearer than the original photo. She was certain this person was her mother, or at least someone who looked exactly like

a prince who will give you the best things in the world." "Aurora, if one day I have to leave, don't

"Aurora..."

photo as her tears fell one by one. If there was any chance that she could see her mother again, she would trade everything she owned for that

Julian had just finished

Aurora in tears, he

now. She wouldn't look like this

Aurora in such a state, became anxious. "What happened? If anyone dares to

away from Julian's embrace. "Grandpa, look at