?Chapter 1013:


    Joelle’s expression was firm, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Who are you calling a stranger? I’ve told you before—Rnd is family. If you keep forgetting, I’ll make sure you remember.”


    Molly nced at Adrian, hoping he’d step in. But while he didn’t look happy about the situation, he had no intention of defending her.


    Left with no choice, she huffed in frustration and sank back into her seat. Aurora hesitated before raising her hand. “Mom, I don’t agree with letting Katie—Aunt—stay here either.”


    She turned to Rnd, her voice careful. “I’m sorry. I know she’s your mother, but we were never close to her. And she’s been in prison. I don’t think I can live with someone with her history.”


    Rnd, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, crooked a finger at her. Aurora frowned but leaned in warily.


    Lowering his voice, he murmured, “If you don’t want me telling everyone about you and Dunn…”


    What the hell?


    Aurora shot him a sharp re. But Rnd just sat there, cool as ever.


    Having no way out, Aurora forced a smile and said, “I’ve changed my mind. It’s fine by me, Mom.”


    With no more objections, Rnd stood up, clearly pleased with himself.


    “Wait, Rnd.” Joelle’s voice stopped him. She met his gaze, her expression firm. “Once she moves in, if anything happens to her—or if she causes any trouble—you’ll be the one responsible. Are you ready for that?”


    Rnd shrugged. “Yeah.”


    Joelle tightened her grip on Adrian’s hand resting on the table. “And if she poses a threat to anyone in this family, I won’t hesitate to send her away—even if you end up hating me for it. No one can hurt this family.”


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    Rnd kept his face unreadable. “Okay.”


    “And that includes you. You’re part of the family now.”


    Rnd paused, his back still turned to them. “I know.”


    The next day, Katie arrived from the sanatorium. As Rnd had requested, her room was in the quiet, peaceful backyard, bathed in sunlight.


    Molly stood in the doorway, watching Rnd move things around in the room, her frustration growing. “What is wrong with him? His mother never raised him, but now he’s going to take care of her?”


    Aurora, absorbed in her book, nced up. She’d seen the worn photo of Katie that Rnd always carried with him for years, and it made her realize something.


    Despite Rnd’s tough exterior, he probably longed for a mother’s love. “Maybe Rnd doesn’t want to have any regrets. Even if he hates her, he wants to witness her final days.”


    “That’s so twisted! So messed up!” Molly hissed.


    “Molly, you shouldn’t judge someone else’s choices. Kids often carry traits from their parents.”


    Perhaps Rnd’s present actions and decisions were byproducts of his upbringing, and it didn’t seem right to condemn him for it.


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