Chapter 2

Aurora’s POV

After dropping Chloe off, I drove back to the Blackwood estate.

The moment I stepped out of the car, my phone buzzed.

See you at the courthouse in seven days.

I smiled and put my phone away.

Inside the villa, everything looked exactly as it had before my accident. Even our wedding photograph still hung above the fireplace.

I stared at it for a moment.

Damien and I had once been the perfect couple.

He had loved me and I had loved him enough to destroy myself. Maybe if I hadn't had the accident… I shook my head banishing the thought.

It's done now and there was no going back.

“Aunt Rose,” I called the housekeeper. “Take that photograph down.”

She froze. “Madam?”

“Throw it away.”

Her eyes widened. “But this is your favorite.”

“I don’t want it anymore.” I pointed toward the shelves. “And get rid of those too.”

She hesitated. “Madam, Sir may not always come home but —”

“He’s free to do whatever he wants.” I interrupted her sharply, turning toward the stairs. “I just want those things gone.”

Before I could take another step, the front door slammed open and Damien stormed inside.

His face was cold.

“Aurora.”

I turned.

He threw something onto the table. It was the gold bracelet I’d given Bella’s baby.

“You tried to poison my son.”

My heart stopped. “What?”

“The doctors found traces of poison in his system.”

I stared at the bracelet. “I didn’t poison him.”

“Poison was hidden inside the bracelet you gave him. I can't believe I thought for a second you'd changed!”

“I didn’t do that. Why would I try to poison your son? Besides, if I wanted to kill him, he'd be dead already.”

He grabbed my wrist. “Do you know what happens to people who try to hurt a Blackwood heir?”

I met his eyes. “Damien, I didn’t do it.”

“You’re lying.”

“I have nothing to gain from killing your child.”

Damien’s grip tightened. “You hated Bella. You hated the child. What better way to get rid of them?”

I shook my head. “You don’t know me anymore.”

His expression didn’t change. “Maybe I never did because I never thought you'd stoop so low as to hurt an innocent child.”

Something inside me cracked.

He had once trusted me with his life now he wouldn’t even believe my word.

“Let me go.”

He released me then he looked at one of his men.

“Bring it.”

My blood ran cold as a small bottle was placed on the table.

I stared at it. “What is this, Damien?”

“You want me to believe you didn’t poison my son?” Damien asked coldly. “Then you’ll understand what he went through.”

I stepped back. “Damien, don’t.”

Two men grabbed my arms and I struggled but it was futile.

“Let me go!”

Damien watched impassively as the poison was forced down my throat.

Within minutes, my body began to weaken. I dropped to my knees, clutching my stomach.

“Damien… hospital…”

He didn’t move. “Admit what you did and I'll take you to the hospital.”

I looked up at him through blurred vision.

“I didn’t…” My voice broke. “I didn’t hurt your son.”

He turned away. “Then suffer the way my son did.”

My body hit the marble floor and the room spun.

As darkness swallowed me, I heard one of the guards shout.

“Boss! She’s unconscious!”