The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold) novel Chapter 1240

"Face it, Uncle Charles is not coming around anytime soon. It might just be time for a little tough love. Ignore him, give him the cold shoulder. Let him figure out just how much he needs Aunt Harriet. She's been pampering him too much, making his life cushy while he is playing the field."

Those words struck a chord with Harriet, who had been sighing deeply at the thought of groveling to win back Charles' affection, a notion she found utterly suffocating.

"I'm done with it all," Harriet declared, her voice firm and resolute, "After the bash, I'm heading overseas to visit my son and take a well-deserved break."

Lisbeth, who had been quietly listening, let out a heavy sigh, "Tolstoy once said, 'All happy families are alike, and each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' Even two people deeply in love can't predict the trials ahead."

Aurelia offered a wry smile, "That's why you can't dwell on it. Live each day to the fullest. No use crying over spilled milk, and no point in worrying about what might never happen."

"But if it's my favorite milk that's spilled, how can I not cry?" Lisbeth's gaze fell, and her long lashes cast shadows of sorrow on her pale cheeks, "If I'd just been more careful, more tender, maybe it wouldn't have broken." If only she hadn't deceived Raines, if only she'd told him the truth sooner, he and Elfreda might not have been kidnapped.

It was her fault, and now she was paying the price. Raines had forgotten her, wiped his memory clean of their connection, and treated her with a cold indifference that was almost too much to bear.

Understanding Lisbeth's remorse, Aurelia wrapped an arm around her, "Love isn't like milk, and it can be salvaged, not always lost forever. What's crucial is to keep faith. If you really love him, don't give up. Touch his heart with your sincerity. A true conviction can break through the hardest barriers."

Lisbeth sniffled, determined not to give up on Raines.

Aurelia's words had touched a raw nerve in Harriet, who had once chased after Arnold with reckless abandon. Though he was decent to her, he couldn't resist his wandering eye.

"Aunt Harriet, your situation is different from Raines and Lisbeth's," Aurelia said, trying to lift the mood, "Raines is hurt and has lost his memory. He needs Lisbeth's care now more than ever. With a little extra attention, they can rebuild what they had and rekindle the warmth between them."

Patting Lisbeth's shoulder, she gave her an encouraging nod.

Lisbeth hung her head, wordlessly absorbing the advice.

Harriet spoke up, her voice a cautionary note, "Learn from my experience. Never let your guard down. Take good care of your man, and the slightest neglect could cost you everything."