CHAPTER FOUR

AURORA POV

“I now proclaim you husband and wife; You may now kiss the bride,”  

The priest’s voice echoed. Ethan’s hands were already on my veil. He yanked it aside with impatient fingers and captured my lips in a kiss that stole the air from my lungs..

His mouth claimed mine like he had every right to me, like the whole world was watching and he wanted them to see that I belonged to him. His arms wrapped around me, strong and unyielding, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. The claps afterwards came distantly forced, the crowd whistled, cheering us on.

Then, I woke up startled, taking a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. The last rays of the sun lazily filtered through the tall, bare windows. My throat felt groggy and dry, and my eyes were so puffy I couldn’t even open them all the way. I would kill for a glass of water, but I would die before asking for one. How I wished the dream was real and I was in Ethan's arms right now. This was the part where I knew it was a fantasy—if only he had not betrayed me 

I stared up at the ceiling, blinking slowly, and felt the familiar ache spread through my chest.

If only he hadn’t betrayed me.

A soft knock broke the silence.

“Good Morning, Miss,” I turned my head just as the door opened and a maid stepped inside, holding a tray of food. 

“Hello,” I said, giving a weak smile. The poor woman didn't do anything against me. There was no reason to be hard on her

“You haven't eaten anything since you came” she spoke with a sense of uneasiness in her look

“Ok, thank you.” I gestured for her to come forward, and she placed the tray of food on my bed. There was a piece of steak, mashed potatoes, and salad with a glass of juice. I sighed and picked up the fork, forcing myself to eat even though my stomach twisted with every bite.

“Is my Dad still around?” I asked her, raising an eyebrow. The Man wasn't even here to receive me when I rolled through the black, wrought-iron gates of the estate in a black Cadillac DTS in the middle of the night..  

Emily had taken the liberty of bringing me home. Of everyone in my life, at least she was the only one who cared enough to show up. My own father hadn’t even bothered stepping outside. Not even a glance from a window.

Yes, miss,” the maid replied. “He’s home.”

I nodded, jaw tightening.

 “Shoot!” I muttered, suddenly remembering something. I rummaged through my bag for my phone, but it wasn’t there.

“Your phone is in the drawer, Ma'am”. The maid continued, saving me from spiraling further.

Oh.” I exhaled. “Thank you”

“Your dad has asked that you be in his office after taking your meal” she said 

“That's good” I mumbled making her give a confused look

“Sorry ma'am pls what did you say” she said and I smiled internally 

I forced a polite smile. “I said it's okay by me”

“Okay, Ma'am, if you need anything, kindly let me know,” She spoke as she turned around to leave the room. I ran after her, yanking at the door handle.   

“Why —” My voice shook. “You locked the door.”

“Orders, ma’am,” she said softly without turning around.

Then she walked away, Her footsteps faded down the hallway, leaving me alone with the heavy click of the lock echoing in my ears. 

So that was how it was.

I returned to the bed and forced myself to finish the food. Whatever was coming, I needed strength. My father never summoned me for anything good, and arriving hungry would only give him another excuse to tear me apart.

After a shower and quick change into something simple—a white silk camisole and dark jeans—The maid opened the door and I made my way to his office.

The hallway was beautiful. Nothing here was designed to comfort; Everything gleamed—marble floors, framed art, high ceilings that made you feel small, to remind you who owned the space.

I knocked twice.

“Come in,” my father’s deep voice commanded.

I pushed the door open.

The office smelled of leather and expensive liquor. Heavy furniture. Polished wood. Power soaked into every surface. My father sat behind his massive mahogany desk, a glass of whisky resting near his hand.

He didn’t look up.

Not at first.

Not even for me.

“Dad,” I said stiffly. “I was told you wanted to see me.”

He finally lifted his eyes, cold and sharp

, cutting—like the rim of his glass

“Yes,” he said. “Since you have failed to get married to Ethan—just like you fail at everything—you and I need to talk.”

His words hit harder than a slap.

My breath caught “Dad—”

“Don’t.” He cut me off with a dismissive wave. “Ethan was beneficial to our business. The Martins are powerful, established. An alliance with them would have strengthened our leverage. But you managed to destroy that too.”

“I actually loved him.” My voice cracked, exposed and humiliating. “And he hurt me.”

“I don’t care about your feelings,” he said, voice colder than the ice in his glass. “I only allowed the relationship because it served us. Love had nothing to do with it.”

I swallowed hard. My stomach twisted.

Of course, he didn’t care. Why would he?

“But,” he continued slowly, tapping a finger on the desk in a rhythm too controlled, too deliberate, “you will be of good use in this new arrangement.”

My heart skipped 

“Arrangement?” I whispered

I gripped the back of the nearest chair. “What do you mean?”

He leaned back, smirking

“Aurora,” he said calmly—too calmly. “Sit down.”Everything in me went rigid.

My mind whispered Don’t give him the satisfaction.

I stood my ground.

“No,” I said, voice thin but steady. “Tell me.”

His eyes narrowed with amusement—as if my defiance was the world’s most entertaining joke.

“Aurora,” he repeated, “you are getting married—”

Then soon a group of men waltzed into the room with a dark figure leading them

“ What!! Married to who - “I yelled 

.