Chapter 33Aurora walked into Westwood High the next morning with her head held high, but her heart felt like it was shattering with every step. She gripped her books tightly, knuckles turning white from the pressure. She wore the prettiest smile she could manage one carefully practiced in the mirror a hundred times before leaving homebut inside, she felt hollow.Today, she had to be someone else: confident, detached, unaffected. Today, Liam Blackwood was a complete stranger.She spotted Liam almost immediately. He was leaning against his locker, surrounded by the usual crowdJessica draped across his shoulder, smiling sweetly as if she owned him, and the rest of the popular clique laughing at whatever joke he’d just made. Aurora’s heart clenched painfully, but she forced herself to look away.Jessica glanced up, locking eyes with Aurora, and smirked. “Oh look, Aurora’s here,” she called loudly, drawing the attention of the hallway. “Careful, girl, you might trip over your own insecuri
Chapter 32 Aurora lay curled up on her bed, eyes swollen from tears that refused to stop. The numbness had finally taken over, dulling the sharp edges of her heartbreak. She stared blankly at the ceiling, each breath painful, each heartbeat heavier than the last. She had no idea how much time passed minutes, hours it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore. A soft knock pulled her from her daze. She sat up sharply, heart thundering as fear surged through her again. “Go away,” she called weakly, her voice barely audible. The door opened slowly anyway, and her mother stepped inside, her expression unusually gentle. Aurora tensed, distrustful of this sudden kindness. “Honey,” her mother began softly, taking slow, careful steps toward her. “Are you okay?” Aurora almost laughed bitterly. “Am I okay? Really, Mom?” Her mother sighed deeply, sitting gently at the edge of the bed. Aurora stiffened instinctively, not used to any comfort coming from the woman who had married Edward purel
Chapter 31Aurora stared at Edward, her heart freezing with a horror so cold it numbed her entire body. Her breath came in sharp, painful gasps. Each word he spoke stabbed deeper into her chest, twisting mercilessly.“You think I’m bluffing?” Edward’s voice dripped with cruel amusement. He stepped closer, his eyes cold, merciless. “I’ve already paid a visit to the lovely little nursing home your precious grandparents are in. Just one call from me and that building goes up in flames, taking everyone inside with it.”Aurora’s entire body shook violently, tears already flooding her vision. She shook her head frantically, desperately. “You wouldn’t. They’re innocent! They’ve done nothing to you.”Edward’s laughter was chilling. “Innocent?” he mocked coldly. “Innocence means nothing to me. Not when someone dares threaten my reputation, my family name. You and my useless son—this pathetic forbidden romance of yours—it ends here, Aurora.”She turned pleadingly toward Liam, whose jaw clenched
Chapter 30Aurora’s heart thundered violently in her chest as Edward’s cold voice echoed through her door again, louder this time.“Aurora, I won’t ask you twice!”She quickly glanced at Liam, panic flashing across her eyes. His jaw was set tightly, his eyes blazing dangerously.“Hide,” she hissed urgently, shoving him towards her wardrobe. Liam cursed under his breath, but ducked swiftly out of sight. Aurora barely had a moment to straighten her gown before the door flew open.Edward stood in the doorway, his dark eyes piercing through her with chilling intensity. “Why did you keep me waiting?”“I… I was changing,” Aurora stammered, praying her voice wouldn’t betray her.Edward’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Changing at this hour? Aurora, don’t test my patience.”She swallowed hard, her pulse fluttering in her throat. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you wanted to speak urgently.”He took a slow step forward, his towering presence making her shrink back instinctively. “What’s going on between yo
Chapter 29Aurora stood alone in a darkened room, faint golden candlelight casting a warm, seductive glow over her skin. She wore nothing but a delicate silk robe, soft fabric brushing gently against her sensitive skin. Her heart quickened as she felt the familiar heat of his presence behind her, his scent rich and intoxicating, wrapping around her senses.Strong hands slowly traced her shoulders, fingertips trailing lightly down her arms, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Aurora sighed softly, eyes fluttering closed as Liam’s breath warmed her neck, lips grazing teasingly along her sensitive skin.“I missed you,” Liam whispered deeply, his voice low and husky, vibrating softly against her ear.His fingers slowly brushed her hair aside, lips placing gentle, tender kisses along her neck and shoulders. Each kiss ignited sparks deep within her, burning brighter with every touch. She tilted her head slightly, giving him greater access, aching silently for more.“Liam,” she breathed qu
Chapter 28Aurora’s heart froze in her chest, her entire body tense as she stared at Edward. His cold eyes shifted between her and Liam, suspicion darkening his expression.“What’s going on here?” Edward repeated, stepping further into the room, his gaze locked onto Liam, full of quiet fury.Aurora’s mind raced, panic gripping her tightly. She quickly forced a smile onto her face, pushing past her fear.“It’s nothing,” Aurora rushed, her voice trembling slightly despite her attempt to sound calm. “We were just…discussing a science project. We’re partners for class.”Edward raised an eyebrow skeptically, clearly unconvinced. He glanced at Liam, whose expression was tight with barely controlled anger. Aurora quickly stepped between them, hoping desperately to ease the tension.“Actually,” Aurora blurted suddenly, heart racing even faster, “I was just telling Liam about Jace. You know, Jace Carter? The Dean’s son?”Edward’s expression changed instantly, suspicion melting into surprised a
Chapter 27Aurora pressed her forehead gently against the cool glass window, watching the rain trail down in thin lines. The soft tapping against the windowpane matched the restless beating of her heart. Outside, the sky was dark, heavy clouds blocking out the sun. The dreary weather felt exactly like her life—dark, suffocating, and hopelessly tangled.It had been days since her mother’s slap, but the memory still burned on her skin, a humiliating reminder of her place in this family. The sting had faded, but the shame hadn’t. Her mother’s disapproving eyes haunted her dreams. Edward’s cold stare and Liam’s carefully guarded expression only deepened her hurt.Liam.Aurora sighed softly, closing her eyes. Every thought inevitably circled back to him. She knew better than to let herself get involved—especially with someone who was supposed to be her brother. But there was something undeniable between them, something forbidden and dangerous that she couldn’t shake no matter how hard she
Chapter 26Aurora opened her eyes to the sound of soft knocking at her door. Her room was still dim, with faint golden sunlight beginning to break through the curtains. Her heart quickened as she sat up, squinting toward the door.“Come in,” she called, voice sleepy but curious.The door opened slowly, revealing Liam standing there, leaning casually against the doorway. His eyes sparkled playfully, but his expression remained guarded. Aurora’s pulse fluttered wildly as she took in his presence, already wide awake.“Morning, princess,” he said softly, his voice rich and low.She pulled the covers higher instinctively, suddenly aware of her messy hair and sleepy eyes. “What are you doing here, Liam?”He stepped into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. His movements were slow, deliberate, full of confidence that made her heart race.“I thought we could take a ride,” he said calmly, tilting his head slightly. “Just you and me.”She hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes
Chapter 24Aurora woke with a scream, her heart racing, tears streaming down her face. Outside, thunder rumbled violently, shaking the walls. The wind howled against the windows, rain slamming down relentlessly. She sat up, gasping for breath, clutching her chest tightly as she tried to separate the nightmare from reality.Her room was dark, shadows flickering with each flash of lightning. She pulled her knees close to her chest, trembling violently, desperate to push away the terrible images still swirling in her mind.The nightmare had been too real. She’d been running, pursued by someone she couldn’t see, a figure hidden in darkness. Every time she turned around, no one was there. Then suddenly hands grabbed her, cold fingers digging painfully into her skin. She’d screamed, but no one heard. No one ever heard.She covered her face, shoulders shaking as sobs escaped uncontrollably. She hated feeling weak, hated feeling helpless—but tonight she couldn’t stop herself.Suddenly, the do