"How could you do that to them!" Logan asked in agitation the moment they walked through the door. After their brief disagreement at the exhibition, Logan didn't say anything else and seemed to return to normal for the rest of the night, though it was evident he was tense.
"Clarisse was a threat to Samantha. I had to get her away."
"This was the best way you could think of? I've been on the phone with Carl; he's desperate to protect his family. I'm out of my wits trying to help him, and it turns out my wife is behind it!"
"If he was so concerned about his family, he should have done better to get Samantha away from Clarisse."
Adam's parents argued back and forth about what was right and what should have been done to help Samantha. Their voices gradually got louder and angrier. Logan adamantly believed that after the events two weeks ago, Clarisse would have reflected on her decision without Aurora making her a public spectacle. Aurora vehemently disagreed, stating that Clarisse was more interested in chasing wealth and appearances.
They both continued arguing until Logan asked whether her actions could be traced.
"I told you, my hands are clean. Shelly is taking care of it."
"How do you know she didn't make a mistake?"
"This isn't the first time we've done this." Aurora said with annoyance. "Besides, Clarisse is only getting the fallout; she's not the target."
Logan turned to his wife with panic on his face. "Tell me you're not going after him."
"Of course not. I'm just getting rid of some of his cards."
Logan let out a sigh of relief, and their argument gradually calmed down. Though he still disagreed with Aurora, Logan understood why she had done what she did. He knew her motivations, but her actions still put him in a difficult position with Samantha's father.
Logan let out a frustrated sigh and brushed his hand through his hair. "What am I going to tell Carl?"
"You'll tell him nothing. Things are going to work out better this way."
"Do you know that a man's greatest fear is not being able to protect his family? Right now, Carl is living it."
"If he wants to protect his family, then he'll have to leave Clarisse."
"Do you think Samantha wants this?"
"It's safer for her."
"Do you think she wants to be away from her parents?"
"Her grandmother—"
"Isn't her mother, and can never replace her parents. You've just ruined her life."
"I saved her!"
"See how she feels about that." Logan said, walking away.
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCLmBwDtmG
Adam lay in his bed, wide awake. His mind was racing after his parents' argument. He was feeling confused about Aurora. She was always kind and nice to him, to Sammy, and to the other kids. But he clearly recalled all the moments he saw a different side to her, a side that made him question whether she was genuinely nice.
She felt cold and mean, and after listening to her argue with Logan, he felt conflicted. Logan was right—unless a kid wanted to get away from their parents, they wouldn't like being taken away. He knew. He had been hesitant to leave that woman before, but something in him snapped that day, and he took the money and ran away.
Sammy wasn't at the point where she wanted to be away from her mother. She was mad and afraid of her, but she still wanted her mother's affection. Aurora was also right; if Clarisse forced Samantha to do that again, there might not be someone around to save her. Images flashed in the boy's mind, and he winced, shaking his head to force the memory from his mind.
A gentle knock on the door startled him. The boy rolled over to find his mother standing in the doorway.
"Micino, can I come in?"
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Aurora apologised for her argument with Logan in front of him, stating that their differing opinions were their concern about protecting Samantha. Despite her tone, Aurora didn't look okay; she looked sad and tired. Adam tried to convince her that she didn't need to read to him that night, but she insisted, saying that she wanted to keep her promise.
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnYDuSF2NW
The next morning at breakfast, Logan slammed the newspaper on the table next to Aurora. Aurora didn't react; instead, she picked up the paper and read the article on the page.
Adam slowly chewed his breakfast as he carefully watched his parents' interactions. Logan stood over Aurora, his face a mix of anger and disappointment. Meanwhile, Aurora wore a blank expression. A while later, a small smile spread across Aurora's face. She folded the paper, laying it on the table as she looked up at her husband triumphantly.
"Why are you so upset, my love?"
"They mentioned Carl's firm."
"Yes, I saw that."
"This is going to stain his reputation. He'll lose clients and investors; no one will want to work with him."
"Precisely."
Logan glanced around, confused. "What are you trying to do?"
"Clarisse was chasing a dream of wealth and saw no problem in putting Sammy in harm's way."
"Aurora—"
"What parent wilfully lets their child go into the hands of strangers in exchange for sitting at a table with the elite?! Carl is just as guilty because he allowed it."
Aurora glanced at Adam, her eyes filled with tears on the verge of spilling over. "What parent would let go of their child?" She said softly.
ns 18.68.41.175da2
