Chapter 7 : Don't forget you belong to me 

Aurora's POV

Dominic's arms constricted around me as if he could feel my hesitation. "You don't have to go back," he said, his voice muffled against my hair.

I shut my eyes, letting the warmth of his arms enfold me. "I have to," I whispered. "If I don't, they'll start looking for me. It'll only make things worse."

He pulled back just enough to peer into my eyes. "They'll never hurt you, Aurora. Not while I'm here."

I smiled wryly, moved by his vehemence, but we both knew I couldn't hide forever. With a reluctant nod, I pulled away and reached for my bag. Dominic followed me to the door, his gaze burning into my back like a silent promise.

"I'll call you," I said softly, stepping outside.

"You'd better," he replied-the tone half-teasing, half-serious.

The car Patrick had sent for me was already waiting in the driveway. I slipped into the backseat, avoiding the driver's curious glance, and leaned back as the car pulled away.

The drive was uneventful, but my mind was anything but quiet. Joanne's voice still rang in my ears, her threats laced with a venom that made my skin crawl. I didn't regret my time with Dominic, but I knew I was walking on a thin line and that one misstep could send everything spiraling out of control.

As the car approached the house, my heart sank. The towering gates opened slowly, revealing the grand estate beyond. The sprawling mansion loomed ahead, its pristine facade as cold and unwelcoming as ever.

I stepped out of the car, the weight of reality settling back onto my shoulders. With every step toward the front door, the world I’d been trying to escape closed in around me.

The house was silent, eerily so, as I stepped inside-heels softly clicking against the marble floor. There was that faint smell of roses in the air courtesy of Joanne's obsession with floral arrangements. I had barely taken a breath when a voice cut through the stillness.

"So, you decided to come back."

I froze mid-step. Patrick was sitting on the leather couch in the sitting room, a glass of whiskey clutched in his hand. His dark eyes bored into me, sharp and calculating, as if he'd been waiting for me all night.

"Where have you been, Aurora?" he asked; his voice sounded deceptively calm.

I straightened my back, refusing to let him daunt me. "I was out," I replied simply, keeping my tone neutral.

A bitter smile twisted Patrick's lips as he stood, the ice in his glass clinking softly. "Out? That's all you're going to say?" He took a step closer, his gaze narrowing. "You've been acting strange lately. Disappearing without a word, sneaking around. If I find out you're seeing another man, I swear, Aurora, I'll kill him. And you. So, you'd better start talking."

My heart pounded in my chest, but I willed myself not to flinch. "I don't owe you an explanation, Patrick," I said resolutely, her eyes steady on his.

His face screwed up with his clenched jaw, and for one charged second, I wondered if he might explode on me. But instead, he emitted a low, mirthless laugh and took a step back. "You'd better remember who you're playing with, Aurora. I'm not a good man to trifle with."

I said nothing more and turned to go upstairs; my hand slightly trembled, it clutched the railing, but I didn't look back.

I entered my room, shut the door behind me, and leaned against it, letting a shuddery breath out. Downstairs, the tension was palpable, but behind this door lay sanctuary for the time being-so I hoped.

I let out a sigh, leaning against the door as my heart raced with every beat. Patrick's threats still lingered in my mind, but it wasn't long before my phone buzzed, tearing me from my thoughts. I picked it up from the bedside table, and Dominic's name flashed across the screen. A slight smile tugged at my lips as I opened his message.

Dominic: "Missing you already, sweetheart. Can't stop thinking how beautiful you looked today. If I close my eyes, I can still feel your touch. Hurry back to me soon, my Aurora."

Heat washed over me as I bit into my lip, the flutter of longing mixing with nervousness. Dominic knew how to make me feel safe, wanted-a world of difference from this oppressive house.

I shook off the tension, feeling it was time to shower and let the water take the stress away. I walked to my wardrobe, pulled out a towel and my robe, and reached for the zipper on my dress. Dominic's words replayed in my head, and I couldn't help but smile.

Sliding out of my dress, I let the material pool to the floor and stepped out of it. I reached behind me and unhooked my bra, tossing it onto the bed as cool air brushed against my skin. Just as I was reaching for the towel, a loud bang made the door fly open.

I gasped, wheeling around to see Patrick standing in the doorway, his face a mask of anger and something darker.

What the hell are you doing?" I yelled, snatching the towel up to cover myself.

Patrick's eyes roamed over me, and his face twisted. "I should be asking you that.

Patrick's eyes, now dark and hungry, stayed fastened on mine. My heart rammed in my chest as I clung tighter to the towel wrapped at my body.

"Patrick, get out!" I barked, stepping backward toward the bed.

And he didn't really listen; the smirk twisting on his lips greeted me as he took a stride closer. "You think you can walk in here looking like that and then just expect me to leave?

I tried to keep my voice level. "This is my room. You have no right to barge in here like this."

Patrick's chuckle was low and predatory. "I have every right. You're supposed to be mine, Aurora. Or have you forgotten that?

Before I could say a thing, he closed the space between us, his hands wrapping around my arms. The towel slipped a little, and I felt the heat of his breath against my neck.

"Patrick, stop," I said firmly, trying to push him away.

He ignored me, his lips brushing against my collarbone. "You've been avoiding me. Maybe you need a reminder of who you belong to."

His touch sent a shiver down my spine, but it wasn't the kind of shiver I wanted. I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to make space between us, but he was too strong.

"Patrick, this isn't right," I said, my voice shaking.

"Why not?" he murmured, his lips trailing up toward my jaw. "You're going to be my wife, Aurora. This is inevitable."

His hands slid down to my waist, tugging at the edge of the towel. I twisted in his grip, trying to break free, but his hold only tightened.

"Stop this," I said again, and my voice was sharper now. "You can't just take what you want, Patrick."

"Can't I?" he countered, his voice dark and dangerous.

He leaned in, his lips finding mine in a bruising kiss. I twisted my head, breaking the contact, and glared at him.

"Enough!" I shrieked, pushing at him with all my strength.

Patrick, surprised for one second, had his eyes narrowing, sizing me up. Then, if fate intervened, his phone shrieked loudly on the bedside table.

The interruption stopped him in his tracks. With a growl of frustration, he let me go and went to check his phone.