Aurora didn’t move.She just sat there, her fingers clutching the fabric of her pajama top like she was trying to hold herself together. The room still smelled like him—strong, dark, and impossible to ignore. His scent lingered, but his words had been colder than anything she’d ever felt."Don’t mistake this for anything more than what it was."The way he said it, so flat and cold, kept replaying in her head. Her chest ached, even though she told herself it shouldn’t. She’d known what kind of man Grayson Moore was. He didn’t feel. He didn’t love. He didn’t care. But that didn’t stop her from hoping—just a little—that maybe it meant more.A shaky breath slipped out of her lips.She looked toward the door, half-expecting it to open again. Maybe he’d come back, say something that would take back the weight of those words. But the room stayed quiet. Painfully quiet.With a soft breath, she pulled the blanket up around her body and curled
The drive from Sunnydale to Harford City passed in a haze.Grayson sat silently in the back of his sleek black Rolls-Royce, eyes watching the scenery flash by, though he wasn’t really seeing any of it. The peaceful ocean views of Sunnydale slowly faded away, replaced by the towering skyline of Harford—buildings standing tall where there were once open skies and sea.His fingers tapped lightly against the soft leather seat. His mind wasn’t still. Last night had been a mess. He wasn’t the type to drink much, but last night he had gone too far. The thoughts he had tried to bury came clawing back the moment the alcohol hit his system. And Aurora—her presence in his life—was doing things to him he hadn’t expected. She made him restless. Unfocused. Vulnerable.Leaning back, he closed his eyes for a second. His body was heavy with exhaustion, and his stomach turned from the alcohol, but he kept himself steady. Showing weakness wasn't an option. Not for him.
Grayson remained silent as he stared out the window, the city lights of Harford flickering beyond the glass. The weight of Natalie’s presence lingered beside him. Her fingers had just left his wrist, yet he could still feel the ghost of her touch.He knew Natalie cared, more than she should, and he was aware of it. She had always been there, always watching over him, always making sure he remained the man she believed he should be. But lately, the carefully placed walls around his life were starting to crack. Aurora was the reason.Natalie’s voice broke the silence. “Your grandfather should be here soon.”Grayson barely flinched. Of course, he would be. His grandfather never tolerated weakness, and a hospital visit was nothing short of humiliation in his eyes.“I will handle him,” he said, his voice calm but edged with firmness.Natalie studied him for a moment, as if searching for something beneath his detached exterior. “You should take this more seriously, Grayson.” Her tone was s
Grayson discharged himself early from the hospital because he did not want to linger in a place he despised. Hospitals were the last place he ever wanted to be. He was already dressed in his usual elegant business suit, and the crisp white shirt beneath his navy blue jacket remained immaculate. He did not look like someone who had just spent a day and night hospitalized.The IV line had been removed only minutes ago, but he had not spared a glance at the doctor who tried to convince him to stay for further monitoring. He had heard enough, and his body had healed enough. That was all that mattered.The drive back to company headquarters was quiet. Grayson leaned against the leather seat of his luxury car while his sharp gaze remained fixed on the city skyline and his thoughts drifted. He had spent two weeks away while drowning himself in something that barely numbed the restlessness within him. Now the world expected him to step back into the role he had perfected, which was the cold
When Grayson got off work, it was already eight at night. Whenever he was in Harford, he rarely went to the old house, preferring a quieter place. Tonight, he was driving back to his villa. Since it wasn’t far from the company, it was convenient for him to go back and forth. Unlike the grand, fortress-like estate where Aurora remained, this place was modern and filled with extravagance, something only billionaires could afford.Louis, the villa’s butler, greeted him at the entrance. "Good evening, sir. Shall I prepare something for you?""No. I'm good," he replied curtly as he stepped inside."But sir, you’ve just been discharged from the hospital--"Grayson cut him off with a sharp look before heading straight to his study to deal with his pending paperwork.The study was dimly lit, the faint glow from his desk lamp casting long shadows against the bookshelves. He walked to the wine cabinet, poured himself a glass of expensive whiskey, then settled into his chair. Work was his only c
Sunnydale..The vast estate, which had once felt like a golden cage, had over time become a world of her own within its grand walls. And it all started with the library.When Edith had first toured her through the huge fortress-like mansion, Grayson's massive library had been the one place that truly captivated her. Towering bookshelves stretched endlessly, filled with countless volumes on history, finance, literature, philosophy, and art. Among the many subjects, the books on art called to her the most.She would spend hours flipping through the pages, her fingertips tracing over the breathtaking paintings and intricate sketches. The brushwork, the blending of colors, and the emotions captured within each stroke reignited something deep inside her.Before her life had crumbled into chaos, she had once dared to dream. In her first year of college, she had chosen Fine Arts, hoping to nurture the talent she had carried since childhood. But dreams did not feed an empty stomach. The harsh
Grayson's thoughts were interrupted when Jason, his secretary, knocked on the door before entering. Grayson barely lifted his gaze from the documents on his desk, his mind still flickering back to the images Edith had sent.He had only been gone for a short time, yet Aurora had already invaded his thoughts like an unshakable force. It irritated him so much that he became frustrated with himself. He had never been the type to let distractions slip past his discipline, yet here he was, watching a woman through a phone screen, indulging in something as foolish as curiosity.His jaw tightened as he swiped the screen off and looked up at Jason.“What is it?”Jason hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. “Sir, Austin Lopez is here to see you.”Grayson’s fingers stilled atop the papers in front of him. The name alone was enough to shift the air in the room. A cold, sharp amusement fluttered in his eyes, though his expression remained emotionless.Austin Lopez. His greatest r
In Harford City, the sky was overcast—a dull, heavy gray that mirrored the solemnity of the day. The air carried the scent of incense and fresh flowers, clinging to everything like a memory refusing to fade. The Moore family stood before the twin graves of Benjamin and Vivianne Moore. The marble headstones were tall, pristine, unyielding. Their names carved into stone remained untouched by time, yet they had shaped every second of Grayson’s life.Grayson stood still, a figure of icy composure, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his black long coat. His expression was unreadable, carved in stone like the names before him. Beside him, his grandfather Henry remained as rigid and dignified as ever, his gaze rooted on the graves with a heaviness age had not diminished. Behind them, Melissa, Hunter, and Natalie formed a quiet line—heads slightly bowed, postures respectful but distant.Every year, it was the same.The same rituals.The same hollow words of remembrance.The same unbearab
Aurora changed into a golden yellow maxi dress that reached her ankle. Her hair was tied loosely into a bun, with a few soft curls framing her delicate face. The color of the dress highlighted the warmth of her fair skin, making her look fresh and breathtaking. When Grayson walked into the living room and saw her standing there, his steps slowed. His gray eyes sharpened, and for a brief moment, his carefully guarded expression slipped. His gaze lingered, dark and intense, as if trying to commit every detail of her to memory. Aurora’s eyes lowered shyly under his stare. A faint flush colored her cheeks, but she didn’t say anything. Grayson crossed the room without saying anything, and picked up the box of her painting tools. His movements were fluid, controlled. Aurora blinked in surprise when he effortlessly carried it toward the door. “I can carry it,” she offered. Grayson’s sharp gaze cut toward her. “It’s fine.” He opened the passenger door for her, his hand resting lightly a
Aurora had already freshened up after her morning bath. She sat on the edge of the bed while her gaze drifting toward the table near the floor-to-ceiling window. A box of painting tools sat there, the sunlight glinting faintly off the fine materials. She rose and walked to the table, opening the box again. Her eyes softened at the sight of the neatly arranged brushes and colors. She was grateful for Edith's generosity. Though the middle-aged woman always looked stern, she had a kind heart behind that tough exterior. Her quiet moment was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. It opened a moment later, and Grayson stepped inside. Her heart thudded wildly at the sight of him. He wore a deep blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, the fabric clinging to his toned frame. His tall figure radiated quiet authority and nobility as he closed the door behind him. His gaze slid toward her, sharp and penetrating. Aurora swallowed, suddenly aware of the rising tension in the room. Her pulse
Grayson had no intention of returning to Harford-- not yet. Aurora wasn’t fully healed, and the thought of leaving her alone in such a vulnerable state left an unfamiliar weight pressing in his chest. It was unsettling.Early that morning, he had spoken to Steven. His instructions were precise. Steven was to pass along all the documents that required his attention and signature, nothing more. No one has to know where he was. The message was clear--- Grayson Moore was temporarily unreachable.By the time the afternoon sun stretched lazily across the estate, Grayson found himself walking toward Aurora’s room once more. His steps were measured and silent against the polished floorboards, but his gaze sharpened the moment he pushed open the door.Aurora was sitting up in bed, propped against the headboard with a book in her hands. The soft shadow of sunlight radiating through her, the subtle pink in her cheeks made her seem even more fragile and lovely.She didn’t notice him at first, t
Aurora had just finished her breakfast, but the food settled uneasily in her stomach. Edith had quietly gone about helping her freshen up, her movements precise and efficient. Despite her calm demeanor, Aurora couldn't help but sense a subtle shift in the older woman's attention. Edith's usual sharpness softened just enough to hint at pity, though she never openly expressed it.Once done, Edith gave a curt nod and left the room. Aurora remained seated on the edge of the bed, her hands nervously twisting the sheets as she tried to quiet the storm of thoughts racing through her mind. But as if on cue, the door opened again.Grayson stepped inside her bedroom.Aurora's heart skipped a beat. His commanding presence filled the room, and in his hand was a small jar. Its purpose still unclear to her, but the sight of it made her stomach churn. She couldn’t explain why, but something about it made her feel uneasy, a chill running down her spine.He crossed the room unhurriedly while his ga
Sunnydale – Aurora's Room.Grayson stood at the doorway with a calm expression on his face, but the rigid set of his shoulders betrayed the storm brewing inside him. His coat was still damp from the cold night air, yet he barely noticed it as he strode forward, his full focus fixed on the frail figure lying on the bed.Aurora was motionless, her face unnaturally pale against the pillows. Even in her fevered state, her brows were faintly furrowed, as though lost in some unbearable discomfort. A thin sheen of sweat clung to her skin, while her breathing was shallow and weak. The sight of the IV drip attached to her arm only worsened the unfamiliar tightness in Grayson’s chest.Dr. Langston adjusted the drip stand before turning toward him, his expression calm but tinged with quiet disapproval. Beside him, Edith exchanged a glance with Grayson before bowing slightly and excusing herself. The door shut softly behind her, leaving only the two men and the unconscious woman between them.
Aurora shifted slightly, her body aching in ways she had never known before. A dull throb pulsed through her limbs, each movement a reminder of the night before. But the unbearable soreness between her legs made her wince. It felt as if she had been shattered, torn apart by the man who had taken everything from her.Grayson. His name echoed in her mind, bringing back flashes of heat, pain, and something she didn't dare to think. Her fingers brushed against the sheets, their warmth long faded. She turned her head and finally noticed it.The space beside her was empty.Her heart gave a slow, heavy thud.He was gone.Aurora stared at the vacant spot where he had been, where his body had pressed against hers. He had burned through her like fire, fierce and consuming. Now he was gone simply, leaving nothing behind but silence. The sheets were cold. No lingering warmth. No sign that he had ever been there.Her chest tightened and a dull ache settling deep inside her.So that was it.Afte
The moonlight slipped through the windows, soft and quiet across the wide bedroom. The air was still. The only sound was Aurora’s slow breathing as she turned under the thin blanket, caught in an uneasy sleep.Everything stayed silent. Until the door slammed open.Aurora gasped, sitting up fast. Her heart jumped to her throat. She blinked against the darkness and saw a figure in the doorway. Broad shoulders. A heavy, burning stare.Grayson.But not the Grayson she remembered. Not the man who stayed calm and cold no matter what.This man looked broken.He stood there like he had fought a thousand battles just to reach her. His chest heaved, fists clenching and unclenching like he was trying to hold something back.Aurora clutched the blanket tighter around herself. Her voice cracked when she spoke.“Grayson? What are you doing?”He didn’t answer. He just looked at her. Looked at her like she was the only thing left that mattered.Seconds dragged. The air grew too thick to breathe.Then
In Harford City, the sky was overcast—a dull, heavy gray that mirrored the solemnity of the day. The air carried the scent of incense and fresh flowers, clinging to everything like a memory refusing to fade. The Moore family stood before the twin graves of Benjamin and Vivianne Moore. The marble headstones were tall, pristine, unyielding. Their names carved into stone remained untouched by time, yet they had shaped every second of Grayson’s life.Grayson stood still, a figure of icy composure, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his black long coat. His expression was unreadable, carved in stone like the names before him. Beside him, his grandfather Henry remained as rigid and dignified as ever, his gaze rooted on the graves with a heaviness age had not diminished. Behind them, Melissa, Hunter, and Natalie formed a quiet line—heads slightly bowed, postures respectful but distant.Every year, it was the same.The same rituals.The same hollow words of remembrance.The same unbearab
Grayson's thoughts were interrupted when Jason, his secretary, knocked on the door before entering. Grayson barely lifted his gaze from the documents on his desk, his mind still flickering back to the images Edith had sent.He had only been gone for a short time, yet Aurora had already invaded his thoughts like an unshakable force. It irritated him so much that he became frustrated with himself. He had never been the type to let distractions slip past his discipline, yet here he was, watching a woman through a phone screen, indulging in something as foolish as curiosity.His jaw tightened as he swiped the screen off and looked up at Jason.“What is it?”Jason hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. “Sir, Austin Lopez is here to see you.”Grayson’s fingers stilled atop the papers in front of him. The name alone was enough to shift the air in the room. A cold, sharp amusement fluttered in his eyes, though his expression remained emotionless.Austin Lopez. His greatest r