Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 498: It Was Too Late

Aurora's face was pale as she stepped outside. A light drizzle had begun to fall, and her mind was consumed with thoughts of her mother, who was about to turn forty.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the wet ground and suddenly slipped, falling hard. Denis Vukic, delayed only briefly by paying a bill, walked out just in time to see Aurora sprawled on the ground.

What was her connection to the mysterious R family? He thought back to the current head of the family, whom he had only seen from a distance once or twice. The more he considered it, the more he realized how strikingly similar Aurora looked to her. Their features were nearly seventy percent alike!

Could it be? The current head of the R family had no children-was Aurora her daughter?

Denis quickly stepped forward to help Aurora up. She seemed completely out of it, dazed and pale, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

The light winter rain continued to fall, cold and unrelenting. Aurora mumbled under her breath, "Is it true... I won't live past forty?"

Denis immediately understood what she was referring to. He had mentioned the family's history just moments earlier, and now she was in this state.

Seeing Aurora like this only made him more certain of his theory. Perhaps she really was the daughter of the R family's head.

"Aurora," Denis said, his tone softer than usual, "what I told you earlier was just hearsay. I also mentioned that none of it has been verified."

"You mean... it's not absolute, right?" Aurora asked, gripping his arm tightly.

"Of course not," Denis replied. "I told you, they're a mysterious family, and I'm an outsider. How could I possibly know everything? It could all just be a coincidence."

Denis, typically cold and distant, rarely offered comfort to others. But Aurora was different.

Though he felt no romantic feelings for her, he had grown fond of her during their time together. She was like a student to him, or perhaps a friend. With Aurora and Asher around, his life had become far less lonely, even joyful at times. He didn't want to lose this rare connection.

"You're right. The truth can't be that cruel," Aurora said, determination sparking in her eyes. "I need to ask her. I need to know the truth."

might have been right-her mother had left to protect her. Could it

Denis said. "Let me take you home

taking a shower and changing into fresh clothes, Aurora stepped out to find Denis still sitting on the couch, watching

always punctual and should

alone. You were

was unusually candid. He had softened a great deal compared to

Aurora said

thank me. You're a woman; you need someone to look after you. He's not here, so it's my responsibility. Come on, I'll take you there." Denis motioned for

delay your work?

took half a day

just to look after her felt as prestigious as being granted an

clearing the glass only for more rain to fall. Pedestrians on the street

Aurora couldn't calm her nerves. She feared her suspicions were correct. She had only just reunited with her mother; even if they couldn't be together all the time, she just wanted her mother to live a

tightly, a nervous habit Denis noticed immediately. He

said. "Things might

still worried,"

true, you'll have to face

he had

drowned himself in parties, drank excessively, and sought solace in fleeting encounters

the end, he realized that the only way to honor the dead was to live well. So he

is coming, there's no escaping it," Denis continued. "That's just life. Some people give up and resign themselves to their fate, like fish on a chopping block. But others refuse to

her fists tightly. No matter what her true identity was, she refused to accept defeat. Her mother

encouraging nod.

said, stepping out of the car. She ignored

a headstrong girl," Denis muttered with a helpless smile. The honking of cars behind him