After Molly finished her makeup work, she caught Auroraâs reflection and exclaimed, âAurora, you look absolutely gorgeous! Trust me, youâll be the center of attention tonight!â
From his spot by the TV, Kalel couldnât resist teasing, âAurora, try to snag a wealthy suitor tonight!â
âCut it out,â Aurora responded with mock irritation. âYouâve been joking around too much today.â
Before she left, Aurora turned to Lucas. âLook after the little ones for me, will you?â
Lucas reassured her, âDonât worry. Just go and enjoy yourself!â
Adrian and Joelle were lounging, watching TV downstairs.
âDad, Mom, Iâm off now.â
Adrian gave Joelle a covert nudge, and with a knowing glance, she asked, âAurora, will you be late tonight? Maybe I should have someone watch over you discreetly. Heâll just wait outside, no interference.â
âThereâs no need, Mom,â Aurora replied, arching an eyebrow. âIâm all grown up. Besides, what if a guy decides to declare his feelings for me tonight? It would be quite awkward if you were to find out, wouldnât it?â
Aurora was deliberately teasing her parents with her words. Adrian didnât catch on to the humor, and the glass in his hand shattered with a sharp crack.
He stood abruptly, his expression tight, and walked outside without a word.
He needed to get some air, to clear his mind.
Deep down, he wrestled with the thought of Aurora leaving.
Why did she have to go out into the world?
Wouldnât it be better for her to stay at home and always be their little princess?
âMom, is Dad okay?â Aurora asked Joelle.
âHeâs fine, sweetheart. Donât worry about him. Just focus on enjoying yourself.â
Joelle looked at Aurora with shining pride, unable to contain the overwhelming affection welling in her chest.
Finally, she pulled Aurora into a warm hug, her voice thick with emotion.
âSweetheart, youâll always be my little girl. And if you ever start dating, promise me youâll choose someone who loves you as much as Dad and I do.â
âMom, I was only kidding earlier.â
âBut Iâm not,â Joelle said seriously, gripping Auroraâs hand tightly. âIf you have a boyfriend, promise youâll bring him home, so your dad and I can meet him, okay?â
Aurora hesitated for a brief moment, her mind drifting to Dunn. If Dunn ever came to their house, she could only imagine how tense and awkward the encounter would be. âGot it.â
The gathering was at a karaoke bar. Some classmates had suggested a nightclub, but with most of them just turning eighteen, the idea didnât feel safe or appealing.
The class president, Conroy Warren, had reserved the largest room. Aurora arrived early, helping to arrange drinks, snacks, and fruit on the tables.
She had put on makeup today. It was subtle but enough to make her classmates, who were used to her natural look, take notice.
One by one, they came over, complimenting her, calling her beautiful. Aurora realized with surprise how enthusiastic everyone was towards her tonight.
Addie arrived fashionably late, arm-in-arm with a strikingly handsome man.
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