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
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
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
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 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
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
It was already afternoon when Aurora finally woke up, her body still aching from the merciless way Grayson had claimed her the night before. She barely had the strength to move, every muscle in her body protesting as she shifted under the soft covers.Her mind was still hazy, but the memories of the previous night played vividly—Grayson’s burning, possessive touch, the way he refused to let her go until she was utterly exhausted.She exhaled shakily, her fingers clutching the blanket as she stared at the ceiling.She had always known Grayson was possessive, but last night… last night was something she couldn't explain. He had always been passionate every time they had sex, but last night, she could clearly feel his rage through his beastly actions—like he had nearly ravaged her body. He had been punishing her in the most primitive way.After being with him for over a month, she could feel his possessiveness growing stronger each day.Thou
Grayson’s lips moved against hers with an intensity that left her breathless, claiming every gasp and shudder that escaped her. He wasn’t just kissing her—he was consuming her, trying to remind her who she truly belonged to.Aurora’s hands trembled against his chest, her body instinctively pressing into him despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her. His fingers slid into her hair, gripping just enough to tilt her head back, exposing the smooth line of her throat.“You drive me insane Aurora,” Grayson murmured against her skin, his voice rough and unsteady. His lips dragged lower, pressing slow, wet kisses down the smooth curve of her neck.“Seeing you with another man…” his breath warm against her pulse. “I wanted to tear him apart, and lock you away where no one else could reach you.”Aurora’s breath trembled continuously. The sheer possessiveness in his tone sent a shiver through her, awakening something unfamiliar yet undeniable.
Aurora excused herself, offering Julian a small smile as she stood up. “I’ll just use the restroom for a moment.” Julian simply nodded, watching as she walked away before turning his attention back to his coffee. His fingers curled around the cup, but his thoughts were elsewhere. On her way to the restroom, Aurora was lost in thought when she suddenly collided with someone. The impact wasn’t too strong but enough to make her stumble slightly. “Oh—” She looked up, startled, meeting the gaze of a tall, striking man dressed in a well-tailored suit. The man, just as surprised, instinctively reached out to steady her, though neither of them fell. His sharp eyes lingered on Aurora's face before he quickly composed himself. “I’m so sorry,” Aurora said first, stepping back. The man, however, shook his head slightly. “No, I should be the one apologizing. I wasn’t paying attention.” They stood there for a brief moment as if caught in an invisible pause. There was something oddly familiar
The coffee shop was warm, its ambiance sophisticated yet inviting. The soft whispers of conversation blended with the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans, creating a sense of calm that Aurora hadn't realized she missed.Seated across from Julian, she watched as he effortlessly ordered her favorites: a latte with a hint of vanilla and a slice of strawberry cake. She hadn’t even needed to tell him.“You still remember the old days,” she murmured as the waiter left.Julian smiled, leaning back in his chair. “Of course, I do. You used to rave about this exact combination during our study breaks.”Aurora let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “That was so long ago.”“Not long enough to forget,” he countered, his tone light yet sincere.A pause settled between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence shared between people who once knew each other well, both recognizing the time lost yet not quite knowing how to bridge the gap.The waiter returned, placing their orders
The late morning sun filtered through the estate’s towering windows as Aurora prepared herself for the day ahead. For the first time since she had been taken into Grayson’s world, she had been given the freedom to leave without restraint. Not that she had ever been physically caged—but the invisible walls surrounding her had been just as suffocating.Yet today, as she stood by the front steps of the Moore estate, a sleek black car waiting for her, she felt something close to normalcy.Grayson had made it clear—she could visit her mother whenever she pleased. A decision that had both stunned and confused her. He was a man who controlled everything around him with an iron grip, yet he had loosened it, even if just a little, when it came to her.Aurora exhaled slowly, adjusting the strap of her small bag before stepping forward. The driver-bodyguard assigned to her opened the car door without a word, his presence a silent reminder that Grayson’s influence still shadowed her every move.S
After Dylan left the study, a heavy silence settled over the room. Grayson sat still, the weight of the conversation lingering in his thoughts.Hunter was playing a dangerous game—one he had suspected for months. But Dylan’s confirmation added a new layer of urgency. The Broker was no ordinary contact. If Hunter was involved with him, then something much larger was at play.Grayson leaned back in his chair, fingers wrapping around his glass. His mind was already assembling the next steps—tightening his grip on everything and cutting off Hunter’s influence before he could make a move. This was a long game, but one thing was certain. He would never lose.But despite the storm brewing in his thoughts, another presence filled the edges of his mind.Aurora.She was upstairs, probably asleep, unaware of the chaos happening in the world beyond these estate walls.Grayson’s mind was a battlefield, torn between logic and the venomous seed of doubt Dylan had planted. What if Damien Lopez wasn’t
After dinner, the two men retreated to the study for a private conversation. Grayson and Dylan's friendship is unshakable. Though they lived in different cities, their bond ran deep. Few knew of their friendship—only Louis, the former personal butler of Grayson’s mother, was aware of the extent of their closeness.Grayson’s mother was from Sunnydale, and her family had strong ties with the Collins. This connection was the foundation of Grayson and Dylan’s almost brotherly relationship.Dylan took a slow sip of his wine, amusement dancing in his sharp gaze.“I have to say…” he began, setting his glass down with a soft clink. His lips curled into a knowing smirk. “Now I get it.”Grayson arched a brow. “Get what?”Dylan’s smirk widened as he leaned back in his chair, one ankle resting over his knee. He hasn't finished teasing him yet.“Why you’ve been glued to Sunnydale for the past month.”Grayson felt a flicker of irritation. Was it directed at Dylan? Or at himself? Lately, he had be
Grayson returned home around quarter to seven in the evening. The estate was cloaked in a soft hush, peaceful yet warmer this time. His footsteps were light against the hard floor as he stepped inside, loosening his tie with one hand.And then he saw her.Aurora was curled up on the velvet sofa, a book resting in her lap. Her delicate fingers traced the edges of the pages as she leaned slightly forward, completely absorbed in her reading. A small plate of fruit sat beside her, an untouched slice of peach and strawberries resting on the edge.Grayson’s gaze softened. A sudden warmth crept into his chest, tightening under his ribcage. His feet moved before his mind registered it, drawn to her like a force he couldn’t fight.Aurora remained unaware of his presence until the sofa dipped beside her. A low hum escaped her throat as the familiar scent of Grayson’s perfume—warm spice and cedarwood—wrapped around her.Her breath stuttered when strong arms slid around her waist, pulling her gen
Aurora woke slowly, her body cocooned in warmth, limbs heavy with a languid ache. Sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, golden and soft, casting dappled patterns across the bed. A deep, intimate soreness pulsed quietly beneath her skin—a lingering echo of the night before. Not painful. Just… present. As if he had branded her with memory.She reached across the bed, fingers searching for him instinctively.Cold sheets.Empty space.The realization settled quietly in her chest, pressing against her chest. Her hand lingered on the mattress, where his warmth should’ve been. She closed her eyes for a moment. And there it was—his breath against her neck, the low, rough sound of his voice when he lost himself in her, the way his hands had held her like she was something fragile and dangerous all at once.Her thighs shifted slightly beneath the covers. The slow throb between them betrayed the depth of their connection. Her body remembered eve