Chapter 5 The Heiress Returns

• Aurora’s POV
• I had barely returned home when I noticed a black sedan parked right at my doorstep.
• Henry stood beside it, looking stern as he spoke to a middle-aged man.
• The moment Henry spotted me, he straightened his posture and gave a respectful salute.
• “Miss!”
• The middle-aged man turned and gave me a slow, assessing look, his expression dripping with arrogance.
• “So you’re Miss Aurora? I am Mason, the Sharp family’s butler. I’ve been sent to bring you home.”
• “Bring me home?” I yawned, not bothering to hide how annoyed I was.
• That man last night had worn me out completely. All I wanted was to collapse in bed and catch up on sleep.
• “I need to rest. I’ll leave tomorrow.”
• “But—”
• I cut him off, brushed past him, and walked into the yard.
• Henry stepped forward just in time, blocking the butler from entering.
• By the next morning, when I opened the second-floor window, Mason was still there, pacing in front of the house like an anxious guard dog.
• Henry stood as firm as a statue, refusing to let him in.
• I chuckled softly, took my time getting dressed, put on my sunglasses, grabbed my bags, and headed downstairs.
• Mason’s expression fell the moment he saw me, but he forced a smileanyways.
• “Miss Aurora, are you ready? Your family is waiting for you.”
• I shot him a sideways look from behind my sunglasses.
• “Let’s go.”
• The Sharp family was currently led by my father, Aides Sharp.
• My grandfather had once served as the brave Beta beside the Alpha of the Northwind Tribe, which earned the Sharps a special position in the clan.
• The car rolled slowly into the estate grounds. The place was massive.
• The main house stood tall in pure Gothic style, surrounded by carefully maintained gardens that reeked of wealth and power.
• Mason led me toward the front hall.
• Before we even entered, a wave of dramatic crying echoed from inside.
• “Mom, my sister must hate me. That’s why she refused to come back yesterday… Maybe I should just leave. I don’t want to make things harder for everyone…”
• “Evelyn, don’t blame yourself! Blame Aurora instead. She’s acting arrogant before even stepping foot in our home. Typical behavior from someone raised among lowly commoners. No manners at all. Mom, don’t stop me this time. I’m going to teach her some respect!”
• I tugged at the corner of my mouth, shoved my hands in my pockets, and strolled in slowly.
• Inside the living room, several people were crowded together, trying to comfort each other with exaggerated sympathy.
• Based on my premonition dreams, the red-haired man shouting about teaching me respect had to be my seventh brother, Ethan.
• And there, nestled against Mrs. Sharp and crying theatrically, was Evelyn.
• In my dreams, I had clung desperately to this hard-won family. I had bent over backwards, humiliated myself repeatedly, and practically offered up my dignity just to make them acknowledge me.
• But now?
• Yeah, no. Absolutely not.
• Clap. Clap.
• I applauded as if I were watching a ridiculous soap opera.
• Ethan turned, saw me, and immediately exploded.
• “So you’re Aurora? Then get over here and apologize to Evelyn right now!”
• “I didn’t make her cry. Why the hell should I apologize?”
• I shrugged, genuinely confused by his logic.
• “How is it not your fault? I even sent Mason, our butler, to pick you up yesterday. Why didn’t you come back on time?”
• “Oh, that? I thought the agreed time was today. I’m someone who sticks to schedules.”
• “You—!”
• Ethan glared at me with murderous fury, but I felt surprisingly calm.
• Thank the Moon Goddess for the warning my premonition dreams gave me. Without them, their hostility might have crushed me.
• Our argument drew my father’s attention. Aides lowered his newspaper, his face turning dark as he strode over.
• “Aurora, get on your knees!”
• Ethan smirked like a shark, mouthing, “You’re done for.”
• I rolled my eyes. “Why the hell should I kneel?”
• “You really have to ask? Do you have any idea what you did last night?”
• I frowned. What on earth was he implying?
• I was confident no one had managed to infiltrate Saintleaf Town on their behalf.
• Unless… my eyes narrowed as I glanced back at Mason.
• Unless it was him.
• “What exactly are you talking about? Maybe explain yourself properly.”
• “You’re still just a child, yet you were out all night with no word. Do I need to spell it out? Shameful!”
• Aides trembled with rage, pointing at me with a shaking finger.
• His accusations, without even asking what truly happened, stabbed a faint ache into my chest.
• Those premonition dreams had hit harder than expected.
• Only a few days, yet I still carried the emotions I’d felt for this family inside the dream.
• But once I thought it through, I forced the ache away.
• I had been alone for eighteen years, never knowing warmth or belonging.
• To come back home only to be met with suspicion and blame—anyone would break.
• “You never cared about me for the past eighteen years. Now you suddenly want to discipline me? Isn’t it a bit late?”
• “How dare you! Someone bring the family discipline board!”
• Mason immediately rushed off to obey.
• “So you say we never taught you any discipline. Then today you’ll learn.”
• “Daddy, no!”
• To my surprise, it was Evelyn who spoke up.
• She cried pitifully, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Aides’ sleeve.
• “Please don’t punish Aurora with harsh discipline. She’s your own daughter. Don’t fight because of me…”
• Mrs. Sharp looked moved and hugged her.
• “Oh, Evelyn, my dear child, you’re just too kind.”