CHAPTER FOUR

AURORA

It was the end of the world.

Or maybe I wanted it to be the end of the world. For the earth to open in half and swallow me while everyone else went about their day.

A shiver ran down my back. Alexander's eyes didn't leave mine, not even for a minute. He was staring like that question had a reasonable answer.

I shuffled on my feet, dragging down the robe he had put on me. I picked up my dress scattered on the carpeted floor and darted to the bathroom. I slipped into it, staring at myself in the mirror.

I slipped out into the room, and he was still in bed, with the covers on his lower half.

“I am sorry about last night, but I have to go.” I had barely finished the statement when I was out the door.

My heart thudded in my chest throughout the ride back to the hotel.

I had refused Chloe's effort to set me up with her brother and then jumped into bed with him before the end of the night.

How was I going to face any of them?

The gates to the main Sterling estate sent a wrong shiver down my spine. I sighed. This place had never felt like home.

On the other hand, I had thought being with Julian felt like home, and I ended up being very wrong. Maybe I just didn't know what home felt like.

I stepped into the main living room. Catherine—my mother—was seated with a teacup in one hand and the other held by her adoptive daughter, Melody.

Catherine had always favored her younger adopted daughter. By now, I was used to it, but seeing them side by side still sent a pang through my heart.

“Sister.” Melody's low, gentle voice filled the air.

I ignored her and set my eyes on my mother, ready for her I-told-you-so speech. She raised her nose in the air, eyes trailing over my body.

“I told you that Julian was no good.”

Of course she would never sympathize with me. I was the bad guy no matter what I did. Why was I expecting anything from her?

“This is what happens when you don't listen to me,” she continued. Her words struck something that made my stomach twist.

“Yes, Mother, you are right.” I nodded.

Her brows creased, and she turned to Melody. I waited for it. The compassion and her telling me to be as sensible as her other daughter.

“You will start in the company from Monday.”

It was not up for discussion. She had made up her mind about this. I sighed and nodded. My life as the Sterling heiress was never mine to live.

“Stay put in the company peacefully from now on. No more stupid bets and chasing senseless things.” She sucked her teeth and set down the teacup.

“But before that, you need to get married. Secure a marriage contract to expand the Sterling territory.”

It was my destiny to be in an arranged marriage.

“I will set up a few blind dates.”

“I will go on them…” I trailed off with one finger stuck in the air. “On the condition that you let me pick.”

Her lips pursed, and I could feel another speech coming on. I shook my head and clasped my palms together.

“You won't have to worry about me making the same mistake as Julian. I am not that foolish.”

“Alright then.” She pushed herself up, Melody's hand falling to the couch. “I am going to rest.”

She disappeared before I could even say a word.

So much for a mother. She didn't even care what I suffered with Julian. All she cared about was her image after all.

Melody got up and stood in front of me. The weak, sweet smile she had on the entire time vanished as if on cue.

She ran her eyes up and down my body with a pitiful look.

“Who will marry you now, Sister? ” she blinked.

“What do you mean?” I asked, taking a step back. The smell of roses from her perfume was choking. It made my throat crawl.

“Everyone in our circle knows that the Sterling heiress was dumped and abandoned by a lower-class man. Who would want used-up goods?” she drawled.

I rolled my eyes, and she gasped.

“Don't tell me you getting together with Julian was out of spite because your fiancé chose me," she pouted and tried to reach for me, but I blocked her hands. 

“You shouldn't do that to yourself." 

Of course she would bring up that bastard Henry. We had a childhood betrothal, but for some reason he chose Melody instead. I couldn't be more grateful to him because he was not my type.

“So you waited for Mom to leave before you began to spit this nonsense in my face?” I asked.

Her lips parted. I pressed my finger to them before she could speak.

“I will spare you the trouble,” I continued. “You don't have to worry about me getting married. Instead, you could focus on your boyfriend.”

“What do you mean?” She pumped her fist beside her and stomped her feet, her eyes narrowing and cheeks getting redder.

“I just mean…” I crossed my arms, taking a step forward, hitting each word harder as I closed the gap between us.

“Everyone in our circle knows that your precious fiancé is partying wildly every night with multiple girls by his side.”

“You are only saying this because Henry dumped you.”

“Don't be deceived, Sister.” A smirk climbed my lips. “I never wanted to be with a scumbag playboy like Henry. I would rather remain celibate than be with him. Only you think he is some kind of treasure.”

“You…” she spluttered, her finger wagging dangerously close to my eyes.

“I'd say you should be careful not to catch those diseases that Henry is carrying around. You'd not want to be treating them for the rest of your life now, would you?”

She let out a loud screech, stomping her feet loudly. She charged at me, but I stepped out of the way and shook my head, looking back at her.

I brushed past her, leaving her behind, screaming like a mad dog, hurling insults at the back of my head.

I didn't stop until I made my way to my old room.

The moment I stepped in, the thick air of the room filled my nose. The weight of being the Sterling heiress felt realer than it had ever felt before.

“I am back!”