The first person Aurora saw was a stunned Sharon Dalton. She smiled and took the initiative to greet her. "Oh, Sharon, you're here too. How come I didn't see you when I got back?"
Sharon Dalton's head was buzzing, a single sentence replaying in her mind: 'How is Aurora Sterling still alive? Isn't she supposed to be dead? Why is she still alive!!'
When Sharon didn't answer, Aurora stood up and walked over to her, taking her somewhat stiff hand. "What's wrong, Sharon? You look like you've seen a ghost."
It wasn't until she felt the warmth from Aurora's hand that Sharon Dalton confirmed she was truly alive. Horrified, she could only force a calm smile. "It's nothing. I just didn't expect you to be here, Aurora."
"Oh?" Aurora chuckled. "This is my home. If I'm not here, where should I be? Or perhaps, Sharon, you think I shouldn't have come home?"
At Aurora's words, Mrs. Sterling frowned and glanced at Sharon Dalton.
Sharon finally realized her slip of the tongue and quickly tried to backpedal. "That's not it, Aurora. You misunderstood. I just didn't see you when I arrived, so I assumed you were still... like you used to be, not coming home this early."
It was true. The old Aurora often stayed out all night; it wasn't unusual for her to be gone for a week or more at a time. The Sterling Family was at their wit's end with her. The more they reprimanded her, the more outrageously she would act.
Sharon's reminder made Mrs. Sterling recall all the ridiculous things Aurora used to do. However, before Mrs. Sterling's expression could sour, Aurora was already by her side, affectionately linking arms with her. "I know I was a bit reckless in the past, but I want to be better now. I heard you're hosting a luncheon today, Grandma. As your granddaughter, it's only right that I stay by your side and help entertain the guests."
"What!" Sharon gasped. When she heard Aurora say she would be accompanying Mrs. Sterling at the luncheon, Sharon's face paled instantly. "You're saying you're going to accompany Grandma?"
'She had worked so hard preparing for today's luncheon, only for this Aurora to show up out of nowhere and butt in!'
"Yes," Aurora nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I'm a daughter of the Sterling Family and Grandma's biological granddaughter. Is there anything wrong with that?"
"Sharon, dear, since Aurora is back, I'll have her stay by my side and help out at the luncheon today. We won't need to trouble you," Mrs. Sterling said gently to Sharon Dalton.
At Mrs. Sterling's words, Sharon felt the blood freeze in her veins. She had to fight with every fiber of her being to keep from cursing out loud.
"I don't mind, of course. It's just... I've been the one helping Grandma for the past few events. I'm worried Aurora won't know what to do and might... cause a scene, like she used to."
Sharon looked at Mrs. Sterling, making one last desperate attempt. Standing by Mrs. Sterling's side during the luncheon was a symbol of status. It was also a chance to meet influential people from high society. Sharon wasn't willing to give up such a golden opportunity for anything.
"Sharon, what are you trying to say?" Aurora looked at her, feigning a hurt expression, and tightened her grip on Mrs. Sterling's arm. "She's my own grandmother. You think I don't know how to take care of her? Or are you just saying that because you don't want me there, Sharon?"
Sharon started to panic. For some reason, she felt that this version of Aurora was different, though she couldn't quite put her finger on how.
"No, Aurora, I'm just worried you won't be able to take good care of Grandma..." Sharon trailed off, feeling that nothing she said sounded right. 'After all, my name is Dalton. I'm not a daughter of the Sterling Family!'