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."

mother had left to protect her. Could it be

me take

and changing into fresh clothes, Aurora stepped out to find Denis still sitting on the

Denis was always

wasn't comfortable leaving you alone. You were so out of sorts earlier-I was worried you might

voiced his concerns, was unusually candid. He had softened a great deal compared to

you," Aurora

to 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

your work? You're always busy," she

half a

to look after her felt as prestigious as being granted an

intensified, drops splattering heavily against the car windows. The wipers struggled to keep up, clearing the glass only for more rain to fall. Pedestrians on the street

suspicions were correct. She had only just reunited with her mother; even if they couldn't be together all the time,

the corner of her scarf tightly, a nervous habit Denis noticed immediately. He

stay positive," he said. "Things might not

still worried," Aurora

to face reality, not run from it," Denis

from experience. After Daria's death, he had spent a long

in fleeting encounters with women. But none of

to honor the dead was to live well. So he

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 accept it. They fight to carve out their own destiny,

she refused to accept defeat. Her mother

encouraging nod. "Good luck. I'll

She ignored the umbrella Denis offered and

Denis muttered with a helpless smile. The honking of