LOGINAURORA POV I trailed my fingers over one of the dark evening gowns, imagining how it would look with a chunky string of pearls. It was an emerald green gown. I put it on and it hugged my curves in all the right places, its simple elegance belying its hefty price tag.. It had a small slit on the side and showed just enough skin. I turned slowly, looking at myself. Emily became quiet.“That’s the one,” she said.I looked at her. “Really?”“Yes. That’s your dress.”I looked back at the mirror. This was definitely it I thought to myself “I’ll take it,” I said, turning to Stella “I think that would look perfect on you” Stella says appearing as if from nowhere We wrapped up the clothes, made payments, and made our way to the limo. Mr Liam opened the door for me while taking hold of our overflowing shopping bags.I waved goodbye to Emily. She squeezed me and we hugged tightly. As I bowed to enter the limo, I noticed her glinting pair of eyes staring at me. Then Emily entered her car and
Aurora POV“Hey princess, it's time to wake up!” A high-pitched voice rang in my ears; I groaned and turned to the other side, pulling the blanket over my head I didn't want to open my eyes,“Come on,” he said again, brushing my skin. I opened my eyes and looked towards him. It was Ryan. He was awake, lying on his side and staring at me. He had a smirk playing on his lips“You're the laziest person I've ever met “He saidI frowned. “And you talk too much in the morning.”He rolled his eyes, his lips curving into a smile,“You look so beautiful when you sleep” He added,I glared at his words. We had slept in the same bed but this time it felt different. I felt every inch of his body against mine last night. It was so magical. I was happy. Maybe, just maybe, our marriage was taking a new turn.“We're going to a party today he said, drawing me back to reality “A party?” I asked, sitting up slowly.He nodded and sat up, running a hand through his hair“There's a lot of money in your
AURORA POVHe fixed my panties and smoothed my skirt down. Then, he pulled me off the desk and carried me out of the office in his arms. They felt so strong that it was like I didn't weigh a thing. My arms wrapped around his neck. We went straight to his bedroomThen, he kicked the door shut and set me on the big leather chair by the window. He looked at me “Ryan?” I said, my breath caught .“Yes?” he answered, his voice low“What are you doing?” I asked “Isn’t it obvious?” He smirked. “I’m trying to apologize to you.”“For what?” I scoffed, even though my body was still tingling.“Shouldn’t I be the one apologizing for trespassing and desecrating your ‘inner sanctum’?” I finished in air quotes.He raised one eyebrow. “Okay then” He leaned back against the wall. “Go on then. Apologize.”“Are you kidding me?” I yelled. “You scolded me because I walked into a room in our house and now you want me to say sorry?”Anger surged through me and my gaze met his“I went into a room in the
AURORA POV My father knew what he was doing. This time, he had me kidnapped in broad daylight. He blindfolded and tossed me into a van while dropping me just in time in the exact same location so no one would notice. He knew no one would suspect a thing, not even Ryan I stood there and picked up my phone to call the bodyguard who had dropped me at the orphanage “Come get me,” I whispered into the phone. “I’m ready to leave.” Ten minutes later, a black SUV pulled up. I bowed my head to enter it without a word. The driver didn’t ask any questions. Then. I sank into the leather seat and stared out the window. I thought about the encounter I had with my dad. Father wanted something from me. Something that was hard to give. He wanted information on Ryan. Ryan wasn’t just some rich businessman. He was mafia blood and I was supposed to get close enough to betray him. The car stopped in front of the house, and I stepped outside. My steps were steady, but inside, my chest felt like it
AURORA POVI took a deep breath. The laughter of little children echoed from the courtyard. I was at the orphanage. The place smelled the same as it always did every time I came. It was owned by my family;a cover to hide all of our crime businesses. I had asked Ryan for some personal time for myself. I wanted to see my little cousin Sophie. He had agreed as long as one of his men accompanied me.“I’ll stay close, ma’am.” the bodyguard insisted I shook my head, forcing a smile. “You’ll scare the children. Just go somewhere else.I’ll call when I’m ready to leave.”He nodded. A look of uncertainty was etched on his face. I didn't wait for his response. I walked straight down the hallway, my heels clicking silently against the floor, until I reached the last room on the left.I pushed the door open“Aurora!”A twelve-year-old girl launched at me before I could even step inside. I barely had time to brace myself before she wrapped her arms around me“Hey, slow down,” I teased, brushing
AURORA POVI couldn’t believe I had rammed Ryan's Swiss knife into that old man’s heart. I watched him as he screamed taking his last breaths. Then, I twisted the knife into his chest until his soul left himIt had been a gruesome sight, seeing the man dead like that. His eyes were widened with shock and blood pooled beneath him. I didn't regret any of it. The old hag was an asshole. I certainly wasn’t sad to see him go, and seeing my own husband filled with pride without a second made me happy. .Ryan had acted so fast. There was no hesitation. He has no second thought. Seeing another man touch me had made him lose controlLuca pulled out his phone, ran a hand through his hair again, and made the call. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Some of Ryan's other men walked in. All of them stopped when they saw the body slumped in the chair, the knife still buried deep in his chest. One of the men laughed when they saw the body but Ryan shot him a death stare. “Maybe y
Ryan POV“Why do you always like to show off in front of our single asses?”Luca grumbled. His gaze shifted towards VincenzoVincenzo smirked, completely unbothered. “At least I’m not the one who can’t keep his eyes off his wife,” he shot back, nodding toward me.I couldn't deny it. My gaze was alr
RYAN POVPRESENT DAY“Oh, shit.”The words tore out of my throat before I was even fully awake. Light leaked through the curtains in pale streaks, cutting across the ceiling. I turned my head. The clock on my nightstand stared back at me. The figures on it showed 11:00am.For a second, I just blink
RYAN POVA Few Weeks EarlierMy father was waiting in his office. The door was already open. I stepped inside and found him behind his desk, sleeves rolled up. reading glasses low on his nose, a file open in front of him. Anyone else might’ve mistaken him for a businessmanAnyone else would’ve been
Ryan POVA Few Weeks Earlier Weeks had passed since I had encountered the lady from that night. Something in me couldn't just get her out of my mind. I pulled into my usual spot near the mansion and killed the engine, but I didn’t get out right away. My hands stayed on the steering wheel, fingers







