Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200% Rebate System

She wanted to argue, to say more, but she stopped herself. She knew her sister well. Olivia was stubborn.

If she had made up her mind, then pushing her would only make her more distant. So Aurora nodded to herself quietly. "Alright then. Do as you please."

Olivia did not answer. She simply left the room, her footsteps fading down the hallway.

Aurora sat quietly in her chair. The air felt heavy around her. She reached for her phone and checked the date. Her eyes widened a little. Tomorrow was Alex's birthday.

A soft sigh left her lips. Alex was someone who had gone through so much pain in life, yet his heart was still full of love for his family.

Aurora thought of his smile, of his way of treating everyone kindly even when he himself was hurting inside.

Her decision came quickly. "The whole family should go. We can't miss it. He deserves it."

It was time to remove the tumor.

The next morning, the Waters family gathered around the long wooden breakfast table.

The smell of toast and warm milk filled the air. Aurora sat quietly at first, sipping her tea, her eyes drifting across each family member.

Her face was calm, but inside, she was thinking deeply about what she needed to say.

Finally, she set her cup down gently and spoke. "Today is Alex's birthday."

Her words broke the usual morning chatter. The table went silent. Everyone's eyes turned toward her, wide with surprise. It was as if she had spoken a forbidden name.

For a long time, no one had dared mention Alex openly. He had been a shadow in their hearts, someone who left behind pain, regret, and a strange silence.

Hearing his name at the breakfast table was like someone opening an old wound.

Mary's fork froze halfway to her mouth. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in shock. She had remembered, of course. She always remembered Alex's birthday.

In fact, she had even been planning to secretly visit him later that day. But now that Aurora had said it out loud, the whole family's attention turned toward her. Mary's chest tightened. Why did Aurora bring it up so suddenly?

Aurora didn't flinch under their stares. She continued in the same calm tone. "I received an invitation. Alex wants us there. And I want all of us to go together."

The silence grew heavier. The words hung in the air, making everyone shift uncomfortably in their chairs.

Adam cleared his throat, his expression uneasy. Truthfully, after learning about Alex's background and how much pain he had carried in silence, Adam had never been able to treat him badly again.

Though he wasn't overly friendly, he also hadn't made Alex's life harder. Deep down, Adam respected the fact that Mary cared about the boy. That alone had made him cautious.

After a pause, Adam nodded slightly. "If Mary agrees, then I don't see a problem." His voice was stiff but not hostile.

Mary, who had been quietly pushing her food around, finally spoke up. Her voice was low, almost hesitant. "Can I not go?"

The room froze again.

Everyone's head snapped up, their eyes widening at Mary's words.

Because even though she didn't say it out loud, they had all noticed something during the time Alex had lived with them when Aurora was in a coma.

She tried to hide it, but it was obvious to those who paid attention. She had treated Alex differently, softer in ways she never admitted.

So why was she, of all people, refusing now?

Aurora's gaze fixed on her mother. Her eyes were sharp but not unkind. "Are you planning to dodge Alex forever?"

Mary stiffened. Her hands trembled slightly under the table, though she tried to hide it. She looked at Aurora with wide eyes, almost like a child caught doing something wrong.

Aurora didn't look away. Her voice was steady, but there was a weight in her words.

"I understand your feelings, Mother. And I respect them. I don't want to force you. But I want you to know something. The pain you feel… Alex feels the same. You're not the only one who suffers."

The words pierced through Mary's chest like a knife. She felt something inside her heart crack. Her throat tightened, and she could not bring herself to respond.

Her chair scraped softly against the floor as she stood up. Without a word, she turned and walked away.

Adam quickly stood too, following after her. He didn't say anything, but the look on his face showed worry.

The air at the table grew tense. Lucas frowned deeply and looked at Aurora. His voice was low but disapproving. "You shouldn't have said that to her."

Aurora shrugged, leaning back in her chair.

"I wasn't being cruel. But if no one deals with this… it will stay forever. This pain is like a tumor. If it's not removed, it will keep growing until it ruins both their lives."

Lucas shook his head but said no more. He didn't understand fully, but he knew Aurora rarely spoke without reason.

Aurora sat back, her thoughts drifting.

In her dreams, after Alex married, Mary's sudden bursts of enthusiasm had only made Alex uncomfortable. Mary had tried to control things, especially around Adriana, and it had only pushed Alex further away.

In this life, Alex left on his own accord, he had learned the truth... Mary's hidden struggle. Mary loved him, but her way of showing it was twisted by hate and love.

And because she couldn't face him, she kept her distance. That was the truth behind their fractured bond.

The day moved slowly after that. Everyone went about their business in silence, the heavy conversation lingering in the air.

When night finally came, the house buzzed with quiet preparation. One by one, family members came out dressed nicely, ready for the birthday party.

Then Mary appeared. She stepped out of her room wearing a beautiful blue gown that shimmered softly under the light.