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."

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

said. "Let me

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

always

glanced at her briefly. "I wasn't comfortable leaving you alone. You were so out of sorts earlier-I was

candid. He had softened a great

Aurora said

not here, so it's my

this delay your work? You're always busy,"

took half a

a workaholic like Denis to take time off just to look after her felt as prestigious as being granted

only for more rain to fall. Pedestrians on the street shivered in the

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

fingers clutched the corner of her scarf tightly, a nervous habit

might not be as

worried," Aurora

won't help. If it's true, you'll have to

experience. After Daria's death, he had

and sought solace in fleeting

way to honor the dead was to live well. So

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, like you and

she refused to accept defeat. Her mother would

arrived at R Enterprise, Denis gave her an encouraging nod. "Good

the car. She ignored the umbrella Denis offered and

with a helpless smile. The honking