Marry Ex's Billionaire Uncle After Divorce (Aurora and Jasper) novel Chapter 247

Chapter 212: What Serena Saw

(Author’s POV)

Rosalind’s eyes went wide. She stared at Phineas for one frozen second, then scrambled behind Victoria, pressing her face into the older woman’s side.

William cleared his throat. “Phineas, she’s just a child. Don’t frighten her.”

“She starts primary school next year.” Phineas straightened up, his voice unhurried. “That’s old enough to

know how to speak to people. If she can’t manage basic manners at home, she’s going to be a problem for

every teacher she ever has.”

Jasper’s expression shifted. He knew Rosalind had started it. He had no ground to stand on.

“Rosalind.” His voice came out low and firm. “Apologize to Uncle Phineas.”

Rosalind didn’t move from behind Victoria. Her lower lip pushed out.

“Rosalind.” Harder this time.

She dragged herself forward, chin tucked, and muttered at the floor. “Uncle Phineas, I’m sorry.”

“There’s someone else,” Phineas said, his tone flat.

Rosalind’s jaw tightened. She looked at Aurora. The apology seemed to physically pain her. She forced out

a single word – “Sorry” – and immediately buried herself back in Victoria’s arms.

Aurora pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. She reached over and pinched Phineas’s palm,

once, a quiet signal.

*Enough.*

He glanced at her. Something in his face eased.

“All right,” Aurora said, keeping her voice light. “Let’s go sit down.”

Eleanor was already moving toward the sitting room. She caught Aurora’s arm as she passed and steered her to the seat directly beside her own. It wasn’t a dramatic gesture. It didn’t need to be. Everyone in the

room saw it, and everyone understood exactly what it meant.

Victoria noticed. Sienna noticed more.

Sienna settled into her chair and watched Eleanor lean toward Aurora, murmuring something that made Aurora smile. The smile was small and unguarded, the kind a person didn’t manufacture. Sienna picked up her coffee cup and set it down again without drinking.

She had expected Aurora to be tolerated here. An awkward remnant from Jasper’s past, kept at arm’s length. Instead the woman was sitting at Eleanor Everett’s right hand like she’d always belonged there.

Lunch was served in the formal dining room. Rosalind sat rigidly beside her father and spoke to no one.

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Chapter 212 What Serena Saw

She had already decided, with great private conviction, that she was never coming back to this house.

Claim

Phineas barely looked at anyone except Aurora. He refilled her wine glass before she had to ask. When the

bread basket came around, he moved it within her reach without comment. Each time a new course

arrived, he bent his head toward her and said something low- *do you want this, is this all right* – and she would answer just as quietly.

Sienna watched from across the table. Her hand tightened around her wine glass.

She had Jasper’s attention. She had his name. But sitting here, watching Phineas Everett treat Aurora like

she was the only person in the room, Sienna felt something she hadn’t expected to feel.

She felt like she was losing a competition she hadn’t known she’d entered.

After lunch, the men moved to the study. Aurora slipped out through the side door and walked into the

garden, following one of the gravel paths that curved away from the main house.

She heard him before she saw him.

“Aurora.”

Jasper was standing at the bend in the path, hands in his pockets. He’d come around the other way.

She stopped. “Jasper.”

“You brought him here on purpose.” His voice was controlled, but only just. “Today was supposed to be a family visit, and you turned it into a statement.”

“I came with my husband,” she said. “That’s not a statement. That’s just how it works.”

“You embarrassed Rosalind in front of everyone.”

“Rosalind embarrassed herself.” Her voice stayed even. “My legal team has made sure she has the best

education trust and full medical coverage. I have not missed a single obligation. What happened today

was not my responsibility.”

Jasper’s jaw worked. He didn’t have an answer for that.

“She’s still your daughter,” he said finally.

“And I’ve honored that. Every way the law requires.” She met his eyes. “Don’t confuse legal obligation with unconditional tolerance. I’m done confusing those things.”

“You’ve changed.”

“Yes,” she said simply. “I have.”

“Is that his doing?” The words came out sharper than he’d intended.

Aurora tilted her head. “My husband?” She let the phrase sit there for a moment. “He’s better than you in most ways, Jasper. Better looking, more capable, more successful.” She paused, and something cool and deliberate moved across her face. “Better in other ways too. I married him because I wanted to. It has

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< Chapter 212 What Serena Saw

nothing to do with you.”

Claire

The words landed. She watched them land. Something shifted in his expression – a crack, small but real, in

that careful composure he always wore.

She wasn’t done.

“One more thing,” she said. “In any formal or social setting, my name is Mrs. Everett. I’d appreciate it if you

remembered that.”

She turned and walked away.

She was halfway back to the house when she heard footsteps on the path behind her, moving in the other

direction. She glanced back and caught a glimpse of Serena, who had apparently come through the

garden from the east wing and witnessed the tail end of the exchange.

Serena was watching Jasper, who was still standing frozen on the path. Her brow was furrowed. Whatever

she thought of Aurora, she clearly found Jasper’s behavior considerably less impressive.

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