?Chapter 1108:


    Rnd held her close, embracing her with all his strength.


    He chose to believe in God once more, if such a being existed, hoping he would never be left behind again.


    Molly had never known hardship in her young life. Blessed with wealthy, doting parents, she also had what she considered the greatest treasure of all—the best sister in the world.


    Her sister was her role model.


    When Molly first encountered the phrase “gracefuldy,” Aurora’s image immediately bloomed in her mind.


    Yet, beside Aurora’s radiance, Molly felt like a dim shadow—nothing remotely resembling a gracefuldy herself.


    From the dawn of her self-awareness, Molly found herself measuring her worth against Aurora’s perfection. Not as pretty as Aurora, not as gentle, not as smart, not as understanding—the list of shorings seemed endless.


    So, despite swimming in privilege, Molly always felt overshadowed by Aurora. But jealousy never poisoned her heart.


    Aurora would cup Molly’s face in her hands and whisper, “Molly, you were born when Mom and Dad loved each other the most. You were wanted by everyone. You came into this world with a mission—to be loved.” So, Molly loved Aurora deeply.


    Until that day…


    Lucas wasn’t just a friend; he had been a fixture in her life since she could barely form memories.


    As certain as the blue of the sky and the green of the grass, Lucas’ friendship was an unquestioned constant in Molly’s universe. Through the scorching peaks of summer and the bitter depths of winter, Lucas would appear at her doorstep.


    Over time, Molly found herself counting the days until his next arrival.


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    Their meetings had crystallized into a sacred tradition, something unthinkable to break. The mere thought of a year without his visit left a hollow ache in her chest.


    One day, Joelle and Adrian shepherded all the children to thekeside for a sun-drenched pic.


    Lucas arrived clutching a drawing board, iming it was for some homework assignment he needed toplete.


    The very word “assignment” soured Molly’s mood instantly.


    She had woven daydreams of fishing with him at theke’s edge, but there he sat, hunched over his sketchpad, lost in concentration. Topound her frustration, Joelle had forbidden her from interrupting his work.


    “Fine, let’s see what he’s even drawing!” Molly muttered.


    The afternoon slipped away like golden sand. Theke’s surface danced with sunlight, a canvas of liquid gold radiating gentle warmth. She yearned for Lucas to capture this perfect moment in his art. Instead, his gaze was fixed somewhere in the distance, his mind clearly wandering elsewhere.


    Molly, mischief bubbling through her veins, crept silently behind him, ready to shatter his concentration with a surprise. “Hey! Lucas, what are you looking at?”


    Lucas startled, panic shing across his face as he mmed his sketchpad shut, desperate to hide his work from her prying eyes.


    But Molly had already glimpsed whaty on the page.


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