Lying if Aurora wasn’t preupied with the events ofst night. Honestly, she even had trouble sleeping because she identally ran into Alden’s mother while enjoying dinner.


    “Mama.”


    Alden was the first to address when Zendaya approached their table. The middle-aged woman observed closely. Gazing alternately at Alden and Aurora.


    “Mama with whom? Want to join us for dinner together?”


    At that moment, Aurora could see how Alden was so rxed and carefree. Yet, she knew that her boyfriend’s mother instructed to keep a distance from her. For heaven’s sake, it was Aurora who felt nervous.


    “No,” Zendaya refused gently. “Mom already had dinner with other friends.” Then she pointed to a group of people that Aurora believed to be Zendaya’s business associates or friends who were gathering and getting ready to leave the restaurant.


    “So, Mama wants to go home right away?”


    Zendaya nodded slightly.


    “Yes. I’ll be heading home shortly.”


    “Wanna go home with Alden and me?”


    Zendaya shook her head.


    “No. Mama brought her own car. Besides, I have to drop off some friends too. You two be careful on the way home.”


    After that, there was no more conversation. Not a word about advising Alden and Aurora to keep their distance was mentioned at all. Even when Aurora extended her hand for a handshake, Zendaya epted it graciously. Before bidding farewell, she even took the time to briefly hug Alden and Aurora.


    However, Aurora’s heart and mind still felt uneasy. All night she had trouble sleeping, thinking about all the possible future scenarios.


    Truly, Aurora was afraid. Like a ticking time bomb, she felt that this issue wasn’t as easy as Alden thought. Aurora’s intuition told her so. Something big would surely happen after this.


    “Aurora!”


    Velia’s voice suddenly rang out, jolting her out of her reverie. Snapping back to reality, she immediately turned to the source of the sound and asked.


    “Huh? What’s wrong?”


    Velia approached. She shook her head.


    “Your patient has been waiting for treatment. The alcohol on his arm has been drying out waiting for you to administer the injection.”


    Aurora took a deep breath. Trying to gather her wandering thoughts, she refocused on her duty by administering treatment to the patient in front of her.


    “Done,” Aurora said to the patient. “Later, I’ll prescribe anti-seizure medication. It can be taken ording to the dosage I rmend. The rest, you can go directly to the pharmacy on the right side of the building.”


    As the patient left the room, Velia hurried over. She brought a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Aurora.


    “Drink first. You seem to becking in hydration. I’ve noticed you’ve been unfocused since you arrived. What if you make a mistake in treatment? It’s dangerous!”


    Aurora epted the offered bottle of mineral water from Velia. Choosing to sit down, she took a few sips and then sat quietly for a moment.


    “Probably facing some problems, huh?” Velia guessed as if she could read Aurora’s mind. “About Dr. Alden?”


    Aurora nodded. She didn’t deny Velia’s guess.


    “I’m just worried.”


    “Why?”


    “I had a bad feeling sincest night after suddenly meeting Alden’s mother.”


    Velia pulled up a chair. She positioned herself directly in front of Aurora.


    “Why a bad feeling?”


    “Well, I feel like something rted to my rtionship with Alden is going to happen.”


    “Did Dr. Alden’s mother say anything strange to both of you?”


    “Nothing. She even hugged me before leaving.”


    Velia sighed upon hearing the exnation from the woman in front of her. After all, she wasn’t surprised. It wasn’t Aurora’s style if she didn’tplicate things for herself.


    “Come on, Aurora. Stop overthinking. You said Alden doesn’t want toply with his mother’s request, right?”


    “Yeah,” Aurora nodded softly.


    “Then, what do you need to worry about? You should be grateful that Alden is firm in his decision. He tries to defend and keep you in front of his mother. As Dr. Alden said, you should be patient and ept the oue. So, why worry?”ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “It’s not that easy.”


    Aurora immediately objected. After Velia scrutinized her, this woman indeed liked toplicate things for herself.


    “So what do you want now? Do you want Alden’s mother not to give her blessing? Or do you want Dr. Alden to give up and choose another woman? Is that it?”


    Aurora shook her head. She wasn’t ready for such an ending.


    “No, not like that, Velia. Do I really want my rtionship with Alden to end like this?”


    “Moreover, you often like toplicate things for yourself. Instead of thinking about this and that, it’s better to pray more so that everything can be resolved soon. It’s so stressful seeking trouble.”


    Velia grumbled. She ranted extensively so that Aurora wouldn’t think too much, which would ultimately trouble herself.


    “Remember, Aurora. Don’t think too much, especially negatively. God might grant what you expect from Him.”


    Aurora fell silent. After finishing her morning duty, she intended to check on the patients in the PICU and NICU.


    Yet, after receiving a lecture from Velia, she hoped her mind could be calmer.


    Damn it, while waiting for the elevator, she ran into Nicole. Pretending not to see her, her nasty cousin actually called out to her.


    “Oh my God, so lucky to meet a ssy widow here.”


    Without shame, Nicole both greeted and mocked. Closing the gap, even deliberately getting closer.


    “What do you want here?”


    Nicole just smiled when Aurora asked. Not feeling an ounce of guilt talking to her cousin whom she clearly stabbed in the back.


    “You ask me what I’m doing here? Well, just routine prenatal check-up. Can you believe it, meeting you. So, get pregnant already. Then, you can experience the joy of being a mother-to-be. That is if anyone’s interested in making you a wife.”


    Nicole sounded deliberately mocking. Seemingly trying to provoke Aurora into getting annoyed and angry. Nicole was determined, she had to hit back hard if she ever felt belittled again.


    “Of course, many would be interested in making me a wife. Despite being a widow, I’m still better than you.”


    Nicoleughed. This time, she wasn’t the least bit offended by what Aurora said.


    “Oh, really? Most likely those interested in you are either guys or those whose families are only after the Harperwood family fortune.”


    “That’s you, isn’t it? Materialistic types. Deliberately seeking a partner to take their wealth, right?” Aurora didn’t want to lose. She countered Nicole’s argument more pointedly.


    “Oh,e on, Aurora. Don’t be hypocritical. Think about it carefully. No matter how good friends you are, if the guy is normal, who would be interested in a widow? Better to look for a virgin than a used woman. Plus, even if you’re currently close to a guy who has everything, don’t be proud. Who knows, maybe he’s just getting close because he’s after your money. So, don’t pretend to be innocent, let alone deny it.”


    Aurora didn’t care. She let Nicole ramble as she pleased.


    “It’s up to you what you want to bber about. However, no matter how you see it, and from whichever angle you look, I’m luckier than you.”


    Nicole justughed. Getting ready to leave, she gave Aurora onest sentence.


    “Wanna bet? I dare bet that you, the so-called lucky one, won’t even end up together, let alone get married to the guy you’re currently close to. Let’s just see how it ends. Happy? Or maybe the opposite. Who knows, maybe more tragic than mine.”


    ***