Divorced and Chased by My Alpha Billionaire Ex-Husband
Chapter 89: Recognize Aurora

Chapter 89: Recognize Aurora

Aurora’s heels clicked softly against the pavement as she approached Lucas’s mansion.

She wore a white blouse tucked into tailored trousers, exuding a quiet confidence, though her steps grew heavier the closer she came to the door.

On her hair was a small, decorated hair clip—glittering faintly under the afternoon light.

Aurora reached up and touched it, her fingers grazing the sparkling surface. A smile crept onto her lips.

Aria had insisted on giving her that clip earlier, a sweet reminder from her daughter before Leo wrapped his arms around her in a goodbye hug.

Aria had added her own touch to it, gluing tiny bits of glitter onto the petals of the clip.

Aurora had worn it for them, a symbol of their love and her courage. But now, standing at the door of Lucas’s mansion, that courage faltered.

She hesitated.

This was it.

Aurora had asked Ava to send the email, agreeing to meet Lucas and discuss the project he had mentioned.

They had set a date and time, but the location—Lucas’s mansion—had unnerved her.

Why had he chosen this place, of all places?

Perhaps for privacy, she reasoned, but it still sent a chill down her spine.

Memories of the life they had once shared in this very home resurfaced, and for a moment, Aurora considered turning back.

Her hand rose slowly to knock, but before her knuckles could connect with the wood, the door creaked open.

"Welcome, ma—" Mrs. Hayden, the long-time housekeeper, began in her usual polite tone, but then her gaze lifted to meet Aurora’s.

The older woman froze, her eyes widening in shock. For a moment, they both stood there, staring at each other in surprise.

"Mrs. Hayden..." Aurora whispered, taken aback by the sudden flood of familiarity.

The housekeeper’s eyes turned misty.

Without a word, she pulled Aurora into a tight embrace.

Aurora, momentarily stunned, soon softened and hugged her back.

It had been so long since she had seen Mrs. Hayden, and despite everything, it felt good to be greeted by a familiar face.

Mrs. Hayden pulled away slightly, her hands still resting on Aurora’s shoulders.

"Ma, where have you been all this time?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and relief.

Aurora offered a warm, if slightly apologetic, smile. "It’s a long story, Mrs. Hayden. Life took me away... but I’m back now. And it’s really good to see you."

Mrs. Hayden wiped at her eyes, clearly emotional. "I’m just so glad to see you, ma. It’s been so long. You look... well."

"I’m happy to see you too," Aurora replied, her smile growing as the years between them seemed to fade away. "How have you been?"

"I’ve been fine," Mrs. Hayden answered with a nod, though there was a hint of something behind her words.

She gestured for Aurora to come inside. "Please, come in."

As Aurora stepped into the mansion, she couldn’t help but notice how much had changed.

The last time she was here, the space had a warm, inviting feel—one that she had helped create.

Now, it felt different, colder, more refined but lacking the warmth it once had.

Her eyes moved over the new furniture, the remodeled layout, and the artwork she didn’t recognize.

"It’s so different," Aurora murmured, half to herself.

Mrs. Hayden nodded as she led Aurora further inside. "A lot has changed since you left, ma."

Aurora turned to her, remembering something from the past. "Mrs. Hayden, what about Nana Rossi? I haven’t heard about her in a long time. Is she still..."

Mrs. Hayden sighed, the sound soft but laden with emotion.

Aurora raised an eyebrow, sensing that something wasn’t right.

"What’s wrong?" Aurora asked gently, her heart beginning to race with worry.

Mrs. Hayden shook her head, her expression sorrowful. "After you left, ma, a lot of things started to happen. Bad things. It was as if everything fell apart."

Aurora’s brows furrowed, concern growing. "What do you mean?"

Mrs. Hayden took a deep breath. "We discovered that Nana Rossi had dementia shortly after you left. Her condition worsened quickly, and we had to move her into a retirement home that specializes in dementia care."

Aurora gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh no... I didn’t know."

The news hit her hard.

Nana Rossi had been like a grandmother to her too, and they had shared a close bond. To hear that she had been suffering, and that she hadn’t been there to help, weighed heavily on her heart.

"I’m so sorry," Aurora whispered, genuinely saddened. "I can’t believe it."

Mrs. Hayden nodded. "It’s been hard on everyone, especially Mr. Lucas. He took it particularly hard. But with time, we all adjusted."

Aurora was about to ask more when Mrs. Hayden’s attention shifted.

She stopped talking, her eyes moving forward, and Aurora followed her gaze.

At the end of the hall, a soft creaking sound echoed, and Aurora’s breath caught in her throat.

Lucas sat in a wheelchair, his back straight but his eyes distant.

Behind him stood a man Aurora didn’t recognize, his hands on the handles of Lucas’s chair.

Aurora froze, the sight of Lucas in that wheelchair stunning her into silence. Her heart ached in a way she hadn’t expected.

She had missed him so much during those five years, often spending nights staring at his pictures, wondering how things had gone so wrong between them.

Now, seeing him like this, confined to a wheelchair, made all of those feelings come rushing back.

Suddenly, Aurora understood.

The few pictures she had seen of Lucas online over the years had always been carefully framed to show only his upper body.

She had never thought much of it at the time, but now it made sense.

He had been hiding this part of himself, the part that was broken.

Mrs. Hayden’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Mr. Lucas, ma’am is here to see you."

Lucas glanced at Mrs. Hayden and gave a small nod. "Thank you, Mrs. Hayden. You may go back to your duties."

Mrs. Hayden hesitated for a moment, looking between Lucas and Aurora, before giving Aurora a reassuring smile and quietly excusing herself.

As soon as she left, Lucas turned his gaze to Aurora.

There was something unreadable in his expression, a guardedness she hadn’t expected.

"Ms. Aurora, it’s delightful to finally meet you in person," Lucas said, his tone formal and distant.

Aurora blinked, taken aback.

Meet me?

She couldn’t quite comprehend what he meant.

They had known each other intimately—how could he speak as if she were a stranger?

Gabriel, the man standing behind Lucas, noticed the confusion on Aurora’s face. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his tone polite but inquisitive.

Aurora shook her head quickly. "No, I’m just... surprised, that’s all."

Before she could say more, Lucas interrupted. "We may have met before, but I’m afraid I don’t recognize you. The accident I was involved in... it affected my memory. I don’t remember much of the past, especially from before the accident."

Aurora’s heart sank, her shock deepening. "He doesn’t remember me."

The man she had loved, the father of her children, didn’t even know who she was.

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