Rebirth: A Second chance at life-Chapter 77: What did he witness..

After stepping out of Calvert Mansion, a deep unease twisted Alexander’s chest. The air was heavy, pressing down on him, making each breath shallow.

Waiting outside were Veronica, Lily, and several of his trusted men, gathered under the gray, looming sky.

Lily had regained consciousness earlier, but the moment her eyes locked onto Alexander, she instantly slipped back into her pitiful act.

With a sob wracking her frail body, she staggered toward him, clutching his arm desperately.

"My sweet baby," she whimpered, voice trembling, "how could you take her here? Let me go instead of her!"

Tears streamed down Lily’s face, an ugly picture of grief.

Alexander stiffened, the corners of his mouth tightening, but before he could say anything, Veronica intervened, her voice laced with feigned concern.

"Mom, stop," Veronica said, gently pulling Lily back. She sniffled for added effect, her lashes fluttering as if she were about to cry herself.

"Aurora isn’t what you think... maybe... maybe she told Calvert to pick you instead. You know she... she knows him personally.

Maybe she’s scared. Maybe she convinced him to take you as revenge."

Her words were like a slow-acting poison, carefully crafted and slipped into Alexander’s heart.

She painted Aurora in the cruelest light possible, casting her as a selfish, vindictive woman who would abandon her own mother in the face of danger.

Lily broke into fresh sobs, clutching at her chest as if her heart would give out from the pain.

"What have I done to deserve such hatred?" she cried.

"I only wanted to protect her... I didn’t want her to ruin her life with Mr. Brown. She was making a mistake, and I tried to stop her.

That’s why... that’s why I asked her to divorce you! I only wished for her happiness, to marry someone who would truly love her...

"Lily dramatically sighed, her shoulders trembling as she buried her face into Veronica’s chest.

"How could a mother want misfortune for her own child?"

Alexander’s gaze darkened, dropping to the ground, his fists clenching at his sides. A chill radiated from him so strong that even his men instinctively stepped back a little.

He walked past them, his steps stiff and mechanical. "Let’s go," he said, voice cold and clipped.

Lily hesitated for a second, her lips trembling as if reluctant to leave, but Veronica grabbed her hand, dragging her toward the waiting car.

They climbed inside, their faces still tear-streaked, the very image of helpless grief.

Inside, however, their hearts were singing.

At last, Lily thought, biting her lip to suppress a victorious smile. We got rid of her.

Finally, Veronica smirked inwardly, no more Aurora. No more obstacle.

Their happiness knew no bounds.

Inside the limo, Alexander sat silently beside Veronica. The vehicle started, rolling away from Calvert Mansion.

Lily sat across from them, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, while Veronica leaned into Alexander’s side, whispering soothing words.

But Alexander wasn’t listening.

His mind was a chaotic mess. Each word Lily and Veronica had said buzzed in his head like a swarm of angry bees, but underneath the noise, something deeper stirred.

Something wrong.

The uneasy feeling gnawed at him, growing stronger with each mile they put between themselves and Calvert Mansion.

His hands clenched and unclenched, sweat slicking his palms. He stared out the window, the landscape blurring past, but he didn’t see it.

Halfway through the journey, Alexander couldn’t bear it anymore.

"Stop the car," he ordered, his voice sharp.

The driver immediately pulled over to the side of the road.

Alexander threw open the door and stepped out, the cold air slapping against his face. Veronica stumbled after him, confused and alarmed.

"Alexander?" she called out, hurrying to catch up to him. "Where are you going?"

He turned to face her, his expression carved in stone.

"I have business to handle elsewhere," he said flatly. "You go home."

Before Veronica could protest, Alexander was already moving, calling for Derek to follow him.

They climbed into a second vehicle that had been trailing behind.

Inside the new car, Alexander leaned forward, his voice low and urgent.

"Retrieve the group I sent away earlier," he ordered. "Resume the mission. We’re going back."

Derek’s eyes widened, understanding immediately. "Yes, sir!"

The car made a sharp U-turn, tires screeching against the asphalt. They sped back toward Calvert Mansion, the heavy tension thickening inside the car.

Back inside the car, Veronica’s demeanor remained frozen, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.

Her nails dug into the leather seat, but she didn’t notice.

All she could do was stare at the empty road ahead, where Alexander’s car had vanished into the night.

A sinking dread twisted in her stomach like a knife.

Is he going back to that bitch? she thought bitterly, her fists clenching at her sides.

Why?

She gritted her teeth so hard her jaw began to throb with pain.

Why can’t he just let her go?! Why does he always ruin everything?!

Veronica’s mind raced wildly, a thousand ugly thoughts clawing at her sanity.

Panic clawed at her throat, thick and suffocating.

Will he save her now?

Her breath caught painfully in her chest.

But he was the one who gave Aurora to Calvert.

The memory of Alexander’s cold, decisive face when he handed Aurora over to Calvert flashed through her mind, burning like acid.

He did it willingly! He threw her away! So why now?!

The betrayal, the confusion, the fear — all tangled inside her until it felt like she would explode.

Beside her, Lily watched silently, a glint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

It was almost funny — how easily her daughter could unravel over a worthless girl like Aurora.

Lily clicked her tongue and leaned closer.

"Don’t be so nervous," she said in a low, almost mocking tone, patting Veronica’s clenched hand.

Her voice was calm, soaked in false sympathy.

"Alexander must have some urgent business to handle elsewhere. And even if he suddenly wants to save her..." Lily gave a cold chuckle, "it’s far too late now."

She smiled then — a slow, devilish smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Her words dripped with certainty, like a final nail in a coffin.

Veronica turned her head slightly, catching the wicked smirk on her mother’s face.

Some of the ice around her heart began to melt.

Slowly, she let out a shaky breath.

The pounding in her ears dulled.

Mother was right.

Mother was always right.

Even if Alexander regretted it now, even if he drove back at full speed, what could he possibly do?

Aurora was already in Calvert’s hands — a fate worse than death.

And no one, not even Alexander Brown, could undo that.

Veronica leaned back into the seat, her fingers loosening their death grip on the leather.

Her lips curled up slightly in relief, though her heart still held a faint shadow of unease.

Outside the window, the city lights blurred past them, cold and distant.

Inside the car, silence settled — a heavy, expectant silence.

Lily closed her eyes in satisfaction, confident that everything had finally fallen into place.

Veronica stared blankly at the road ahead, her mind quieter now but not completely at peace.

Still, she clung to her mother’s words like a lifeline.

It was too late for Aurora.

It had to be.