Chapter 9

(Author’s POV)

The grand dining hall of the Skylar mansion was bathed in the golden glow of a chandelier. The table, typically set for lavish dinners, was now a meeting ground. Alexander Skylar sat at the head, his sons seated along the sides.

Despite the elegance of their surroundings, the atmosphere was heavy, the tension palpable.

Alexander broke the silence, his voice calm yet commanding. 

“I know this isn’t easy for any of you, but I need to finalize the details of the marriage”.

Owen, sitting to his father’s right, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. His jaw tightened before he spoke. 

“We’ve already agreed to this, Dad. But let me make one thing clear…I don’t want a grand spectacle. No media, no press. This isn’t something I’m proud of, and I refuse to turn it into a public affair”.

Ryan, seated next to Owen, nodded in agreement. 

“Owen’s right. A big wedding would just invite unnecessary attention. This whole situation is unconventional, to say the least. Do you really want the tabloids dissecting every detail?”

Alexander sighed, his gaze shifting to Asher. 

“Asher, what about you? You’ve always been the public face of the family. Surely you understand the importance of optics” Asher, who had been silent, finally looked up, his expression unreadable. 

“Optics?” He echoed, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. 

“Dad, do you really think my fans want to hear that I’m marrying a girl I’ve never met? This isn’t a romance movie. It’s our reality, and I’d rather keep it private”.

Ian, who had been fiddling with his phone, chimed in with a shrug. 

“I don’t care about grand weddings or media coverage. I just don’t want my college friends finding out and turning this into some soap opera”.

Alexander clasped his hands together, his face a mix of disappointment and understanding. 

“I see. You all want this to be kept quiet” Owen leaned forward, his tone firm but not unkind. 

“It’s not just about us, Dad. Think about her. She didn’t ask for this either. A grand wedding would put unnecessary pressure on her. We’re doing this for you. Let’s not make it harder than it needs to be”.

“And as much as we’re going along with this, we’re not ready to parade it in front of the world. At least, not yet” Ryan added.

Alexander looked at each of his sons, sensing their frustration and reluctance. He took a deep breath and nodded. 

“Alright. A small, private ceremony it is. No media, no extravagance. Just family”.

The room fell silent again, the weight of their decision settling over them. Ian broke the silence, attempting to lighten the mood. 

“So, no tuxedo fittings and awkward dance rehearsals? Guess I can live with that” Asher cracked a faint smile, but Owen and Ryan remained serious.

“Thank you…I know this isn’t what any of you wanted, but I promise, in time, you’ll understand why this is necessary” Alexander said quietly, his voice heavy with emotion. 

The meeting ended with a subdued nod from all four sons. One by one, they left the room, their emotions a storm of confusion, resignation, and silent defiance. Alexander remained behind, staring at the empty chairs, hoping he had made the right decision for his fractured family.

Right now, Alexander was sitting in his expansive study, the dim light from a nearby lamp casting long shadows on the polished wooden desk. The faint hum of the mansion’s central heating system was the only sound as he dialed the number. On the other end, Aurora’s father picked up almost immediately.

“Mr. Skylar, good evening” Mark’s voice came through, a mix of nervousness and eagerness. 

“Good evening, Mr. Morrison” Alexander replied warmly. 

“I hope you and your family are doing well”.

“Yes, yes, we’re doing fine. Thank you. And you?”

“Well enough,” Alexander said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. 

“I wanted to discuss the upcoming wedding arrangements” Mark’s breath hitched slightly, the importance of the moment not lost on him. 

“Of course. What do you have in mind?”

Whereas in Aurora’s home, Mark’s phone was on speaker as he sat with his wife,Sophie on the couch. Aurora, standing in the adjoining kitchen, could hear every word despite pretending to focus on pouring herself a glass of water.

Alexander’s voice continued, calm and direct. 

“After discussing with my sons, it’s been decided that we will keep the wedding a simple, private affair. No grand celebration, no media involvement. Just a quiet ceremony with the immediate families”.

Sophie placed a hand over her heart, relief washing over her features. 

“That sounds... perfect, Mr. Skylar. We were worried about how overwhelming this could become for Aurora, given the circumstances”.

“I understand,” Alexander assured her. 

“This decision was made with her in mind as well. My sons, too, prefer a low-profile event” Mark nodded, though Alexander couldn’t see it. 

“We appreciate your understanding, sir. When do you think we should finalize the details?”

“I’ll have my staff coordinate with you tomorrow,” Alexander said. 

“The ceremony will take place at my estate. I’ll ensure everything is taken care of. You’ll just need to bring Aurora and yourselves”.

In the kitchen, Aurora gripped her glass tightly. She had half-expected a lavish spectacle, something that would draw the world’s attention and thrust her into the limelight alongside the Skylar name. Hearing Alexander’s words brought a strange sense of relief... and apprehension.

“This is happening” She murmured to herself, staring into her glass of water.

With a few more polite exchanges, the call ended. Mark and Sophie sat in thoughtful silence, processing the conversation. From the kitchen, Aurora finally stepped into the living room. Her expression was unreadable as she met her parents’ gaze.

“A simple wedding,” She said softly. 

“That’s better than I imagined” Mark looked at her with a mix of pride and unease. 

“Aurora... are you sure about this?” Aurora gave a small, tired smile. 

“It doesn’t matter if I’m sure or not, Dad. This is the path we’ve chosen”.

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions, as the family quietly prepared for what lay ahead.