Chapter 4: Kingsley Manor

Aurora didn't sleep.

Not even for a minute.

She was sitting at the window of the bedroom, looking into the night and reliving the events of the evening before in her mind.

**YOU HAVE 24 HOURS.**

Those words wouldn't let her forget.

Each tick of the clock made her realize that her life was falling away from her more and more.

There was a gentle tap on her door to the bedroom.

"Aurora?"

Her father's weary voice.

She cleaned away the tears she didn't know were there.

"Come in."

Richard walked in, looking older than ever. He had his shoulders drooping and the wrinkles in his face were more noticeable in the morning light.

He approached her, walked over to her and seated himself beside her.

They didn't say much for a while.

Then, Richard spoke.

As a little child,

Aurora studied him.Aurora studied him.

There was a time when you told me that you could not be hurt by any monster because your father would protect you.

His voice cracked.

"I believed that."

"So did I."

He smiled bitterly.

"But I failed."

Aurora stretched out her hand to his right as soon as possible.

"No, Dad."

"I did."

I can't defend your mother.

"Could not safeguard our business."

"And now..."

He opened his eyes, peering at her with the tears running down his cheeks.

"Even my own daughter I'm not able to protect."

Aurora embraced him with a tight hug.

You have been my protector all my life.

You "showed" me that it was possible to be kind.

You've shown me how to be brave.

You never let me down.

Richard held her as if he didn't want to let go.

I wouldn't ask you to marry Alexander.

She stepped back a bit.

"You won't?"

Slowly he shook his head.

"No."

Saving my life means destroying yours..."

I'd like to lose everything, I'd rather lose everything," says Jean.

Aurora stared at him.

For the first time she understood that he was in a bind.

He wasn't taking the money over her.

Whether he was deciding whether he could lose his daughter...

Or seeing her suffering due to him.

It was a knock that broke the spell.

Ethan Cole was at the door.

His already serious demeanor was exacerbated.

"Sir."

Richard looked up.

"What is it?"

The convoy has been made up.

Aurora frowned.

"Convoy?"

Ethan nodded respectfully.

Mr. Kingsley says you both must get rid of right now.

"I'm not going."

Ethan sighed softly.

"Yeah, I knew that was what you were going to say."

He stepped aside.

He came up to him and saw Alexander standing there.

He was wearing a charcoal gray three-piece suit and exuded the confident billionaire that even the world feared.

But his eyes quickly scanned Aurora's face.

"You didn't sleep."

There was no question.

She put her arms up to her chest.

"You didn't either."

A small smile was on his lips.

"You're right."

There was a sudden hush.

Alexander finally spoke.

No more questions of that kind will I ask you.

Aurora raised an eyebrow.

"Ask me what?"

"To marry me."

She blinked.

She was taken aback by his reply.

"What?"

It's your choice to make and you deserve it to be pressure free.

Her face blurred, and her expression softened.

I have already told my lawyers to settle some of Richard's debt.

Richard looked stunned.

"Alex..."

Alexander intercepted his gaze.Alexander checked his look.

"Don't thank me for this.

Aurora frowned.

I assumed your state was weddedness.

"It was."

"But why do you help us?"

Alexander responded right away.

"You are in danger, that is why."

"Life is not something that can be negotiated with.

Aurora scrutinized him.

He didn't sound like a man who was going to try to manipulate her.

He sounded...

Sincere.

But before she could say anything, Alexander's phone rang.

He answered instantly.

"Ethan?"

Assistant's voice was loud enough for all to hear.

"Sir."

"There's something wrong here."

Alexander's expression hardened.

"What happened?"

The creditors have recently "received the Whitmores' new address.

Richard's face went as white as a sheet of paper.

"Isn't he a hundred years gone?"

"Men already sent, they have."

Alexander was gazing out the window.

Almost immediately...

The distant sound of engines could be heard in the quiet neighborhood.

One.

Two.

Three.

Multiple black SUVs were driving towards Whitmore Villa.

Ethan looked outside.

"They're here."

Richard stood abruptly.

"No..."

Aurora's pulse skyrocketed.

Alexander was very still.

"Ethan."

"Yes, sir."

"Execute Protocol Black."

Dozen of black-clad security officers rushed the premises within seconds.

The mansion was ringed by luxurious SUVs on all sides.

The gates automatically locked.

It was something that Aurora had never seen.

Alexander looked at her.

"We're leaving."

She hesitated.

He came toward her, his voice not faltering.

I am not to be wed to you.

However, "Stay here," "if you stay here...

I don't guarantee they'll take it until tomorrow.

The crash of a car came from the front gate.

One of the security guards was yelling in his radio.

"They're attempting to break in!"

Richard grabbed Aurora's arm.

"Go."

"Dad-"

"Go!"

She considered her father and Alexander.

All her instincts were urging her to run.

Not from the threat...

But from the life outside those gates awaiting her.

Alexander thrust out his arm.

Trust me, I'm asking you to trust me.

I stared at it.I looked at it.

As when she was ten, she was riding a bicycle with the same hand.

It was the same hand that had congratulated her on each one of her birthday.

The same hand that now held out the prospect of altering her future.

There was yet another loud knock on the front gate.

The estate's security alarms sounded.

Aurora closed her eyes.

Then...

Slowly...

She put her shivering hand in his.

Alexander's fingers closed softly around her.

Not possessively.

Protectively.

He did not speak a word, but led her through the back door, while security took a protective stand around them.

When they entered the waiting armored limousine, the convoy sped up.

Whitmore Villa came out of sight behind them.

In front was the house of Kingsley Manor.

And with it...

A future she never anticipated to have to deal with in Aurora.