Chapter 1432

“Are you alright?” Grace couldn’t help asking, her voice soft with worry.

No matter what, Tessa had always been the sensible one—the daughter who cared about her and understood her best.

With Tessa’s frail health, Grace had always found it easier to show her affection.

Hearing her mother’s concern, Tessa gave a small, obedient shake of her head. “I’m fine, Mom. You don’t have to worry about me. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even deserve your care.”

Grace’s heart ached at that. “Don’t say that. You deserve the best of everything.”

But Tessa didn’t seem to believe it. “I know I’ve held you back. I know I can’t compare to my sister. But please believe me, Mom, I really am trying.”

“I told you before, you’re not holding me back,” Grace sighed. “Don’t overthink it. I was too harsh just now, and you shouldn’t take it to heart. You know how I am—sometimes I speak before I think. People say things they don’t mean when they’re angry.”

She exhaled again, frustration and guilt mingling in her chest. “Besides, I was mostly upset because of Aurora. Compared to you, that child is just so… thoughtless.”

“Mom, don’t be angry with her,” Tessa said gently, trying to comfort her. “She’s still young and doesn’t understand much yet. I believe once she’s older, she’ll realize how hard things have been for you. When that happens, she’ll stand by you and help you.”

Grace pressed her fingers to her temples, exhaustion clouding her features. “I only wish she could be as understanding as you. If she were more like you, I could finally rest easy.”

“She will be. I’ll talk to her when I get the chance,” Tessa promised softly.

Grace gave a weary smile and pulled Tessa into her arms. “You’re such a good daughter. I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’ve always carried more than your share, and I never know how to show you the love you deserve.”

All the more so because Tessa’s performance truly couldn’t compare to Aurora’s.

The board had been putting her under immense pressure, and sometimes she had no idea how to handle it on her own.

Once or twice would have been fine, but as the mistakes piled up, Grace’s patience began to wear thin.

If Tessa didn’t start improving soon, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could shield her from the board’s criticism.

With that thought, Grace decided to speak plainly. “Tessa, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but you really need to start pushing yourself. Take the company, for example. If I keep stepping in for you, what will everyone else think?

“You have to understand that. If there’s something you don’t know, you can always come to me, or ask one of the senior assistants at the office, but you need to learn to handle things on your own too.

“There are so many eyes on you right now. I want to see you grow, and that’s exactly why I can’t interfere in your work anymore. Do you understand what I mean?”

Every word came from the heart. Grace truly empathized with how difficult things were for Tessa and appreciated how considerate she’d always been.

But the world was cruel, and Grace knew it too well—if Tessa didn’t grow stronger, she’d be left behind.