Chapter 429 Tracking Karolyn
Aurora approached the break room, her hand hovering nervously over the doorknob. She took a deep breath before finally turning it.
Inside, she heard a crash. Aurora stepped in to find Karolyn standing over a shattered glass.
"Let me help you with that," Aurora said, grabbing a new glass and filling it with water for Karolyn.
Karolyn sighed, rubbing her swollen belly. "Everything's such a hassle now. I don't know if I can do this, Aurora. I'm so scared I won't be able to give this baby a good life."
"Has the baby's father been around at all?" Aurora asked, trying to keep her curiosity in check. "Karolyn, give me your ex-husband's contact info. I'll track him down and get some answers. How can he just abandon you like this? You're carrying his child. It's not fair for you to go through this alone. If something happens, it would be a disaster."
Karolyn gave a bitter smile. "It's pointless. He doesn't care about us. He's moved on with someone else. She's beautiful and has him wrapped around her finger."
Karolyn's eyes were filled with sorrow and jealousy, emotions that were all too understandable given her situation.
Aurora pressed her lips together. "Don't worry about it. Get some rest. I'll take care of the shop for you."
"Thank you. I just need a little break," Karolyn said, her gratitude evident.
Aurora closed the door behind her as she left. A female customer walked in. "Miss, can you wrap a bouquet of red roses for me?"
"Sure, just a moment."
Aurora wasn't great at wrapping flowers, but the shop had some pre-made arrangements. She grabbed one from the display and handed it to the customer.
The customer looked up at Aurora and smiled. "Another new face. The shop owner sure knows how to hire. Each employee is prettier than the last. These flowers don't hold a candle to you."
Aurora gave a modest smile. "You're too kind."
The customer was curious. "What happened to the previous employee, the one who was pregnant? Did she leave?"
"She's not feeling well and is resting."
"I said before, this job isn't suitable for someone pregnant. Selling flowers with a big belly? Many flowers here are harmful to pregnant women. Like oleander, one of the most toxic plants, and there are so many in the shop."
Aurora's heart tightened. "You seem to know a lot about flowers?"
"I study them," the customer said, walking over to a pot of lilies. "Take these lilies, for example. Every part of them is toxic, especially the leaves. Tulip flowers contain toxic alkaloids..."
As the customer spoke, Aurora began to see the flowers in the shop in a new, terrifying light.
The customer had previously warned Karolyn to avoid these flowers while pregnant, but Karolyn hadn't listened.
If Karolyn truly cared about her child, why would she continue to be around these flowers?
The shop didn't need to stock these particular flowers, yet it was filled with them—fragrant but toxic.
After the customer left, Aurora fell into deep thought. She couldn't understand Karolyn's intentions.
Karolyn rested for half an hour in the break room. Aurora said nothing and left, claiming she had business at her own shop.
Back at her shop, Aurora couldn't stop thinking about Karolyn's relationship with Oren and why Karolyn kept toxic flowers in her shop.
"Aurora, what's on your mind? I've been calling you forever," Sophia said, pretending to be annoyed.
Aurora snapped out of her thoughts and smiled. "Sophia, who ruffled your feathers this time? You came in here like a storm cloud."
Sophia pouted and leaned heavily on the counter. "Aurora, I think that jerk Andrew is trying to mess with me again."
"What did he do now?" Aurora noticed the red string bracelet on Sophia's wrist. "Hey, that bracelet is cute. Where'd you get it?"
The bracelet wasn't expensive but was simple and delicate.
"I don't know. Andrew gave it to me and insisted I wear it," Sophia said angrily. "I don't know what's gotten into him. He's set a curfew for me, making me come home by ten every night. I have to report where I go and what I do. My dad even supports him. My dad's lost his mind."
"You two have always been at odds. Isn't it normal for him to pick on you?"
"He's escalated. It's not just picking on me; it's war," Sophia said, clenching her fists. "I'm determined to make money and leave the Garcia family. Let's see who can control me then."
Aurora laughed. "Sophia, haven't you saved any of your allowance over the years?"
Sophia shook her head, looking very justified. "Nope. I can't spend money faster than my dad makes it. Why would I save?"
Aurora gave her a thumbs-up. "No wonder you're the Garcia family's princess."
Sophia had never worried about money. If she had any worries, it was about how to spend it.
As they chatted, Sophia's phone rang. She saw the caller ID and jumped up. "That jerk Andrew dares to call me."
Sophia wasn't one to back down. She answered and put it on speaker. "Andrew, what do you want?"
"Where are you?" Andrew's voice was cold. "Come home immediately. I'm waiting."
"Why should I come home just because you say so? I'm busy."
Sophia was about to hang up.
Andrew's voice came again. "Are you with Leo? If you're not home in half an hour, I'll have someone bring you back."
He hung up.
Sophia was so angry that she almost crushed her phone. "Aurora, can you believe this? I'm going back, but not because I'm scared. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."
Sophia stormed out.
Aurora watched her leave, thinking about Andrew's tone. Why did it sound so jealous?
They were half-siblings. Maybe she was overthinking it.
Aurora was puzzled by Karolyn's situation all day. She closed her shop at eight and happened to see Karolyn closing hers.
Karolyn locked up and, holding her belly, walked toward the bus stop.
The shop was a bit of a walk from the bus stop. Aurora glanced at Karolyn's retreating figure, planning to get her car, when she noticed a man emerge from the bushes. He looked around suspiciously and followed Karolyn.
From his build, he looked like Oren.
Karolyn didn't notice she was being followed and kept walking. Oren, wearing a baseball cap, trailed her cautiously.
Aurora's heart raced. Why was Oren following Karolyn?
Karolyn turned a corner, and Aurora followed.
Ahead was a narrow alley. Aurora turned the corner, but both Oren and Karolyn were gone.
Where did they go?
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