Chapter 4: The Net is Cast

The phone rang just as Aurora stood by the window in her room.

The sky was still dark.

The clock showed three in the morning.

Aurora didn’t answer immediately.

She simply stared at the screen of her phone.

The name displayed there made the corner of her lips lift slightly.

Her assistant.

The one she had placed… exactly where she needed him to be.

Aurora answered the call.

“Yes.”

Her voice was soft.

Calm.

But cold.

On the other end, the man’s voice sounded restrained.

“Ma’am… I heard what they’re planning.”

Aurora didn’t move.

Her eyes remained fixed on the view outside the window.

“Speak.”

There was no emotion in her voice.

And that… made the atmosphere even more suffocating.

The man swallowed before continuing.

“Mr. Dante… and Miss Lily… they’re planning to switch the babies.”

Silence.

Aurora didn’t respond right away.

But her hand slowly clenched into a fist.

“Go on.”

“They want to switch Miss Lily’s baby… with yours.”

At that very moment, Aurora closed her eyes.

Not in shock.

But because her anger had finally… taken shape.

“They want you to raise their baby… because of the baby’s condition.”

The man’s voice trembled slightly.

“And… Miss Lily wants to raise your baby… however she pleases.”

A long silence followed.

Aurora slowly opened her eyes.

Her gaze had changed.

No longer just cold.

Now… dangerous.

“Good.”

Only that single word left her lips.

But it was enough to make the man on the other end hold his breath.

Aurora ended the call without another word.

Her hand was still clenched.

Tightly.

Very tightly.

“Switch… my baby?”

Her voice came out softly.

But it was laced with poison.

Aurora let out a quiet laugh.

A laugh devoid of any warmth.

“It seems… I’ve been too kind.”

She turned toward the small bed beside her.

Her baby was sleeping peacefully.

Unaware of anything.

Unaware… of how close danger had come.

Aurora stepped closer.

Her hand gently touched the baby’s cheek.

But her eyes… remained cold.

“I won’t let anyone touch you.”

Her tone shifted.

Lower. Sharper.

“Not even your own father.”

That morning… the house felt quieter than usual.

But not because of peace.

Rather… because something was being prepared.

A woman stood in the living room.

She looked to be in her thirties.

Neatly dressed.

Her gaze firm.

Aurora stood with her arms crossed over her chest.

“I will not repeat this order twice.”

The atmosphere instantly turned tense.

The woman bowed her head respectfully.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Aurora stepped closer.

Each of her steps measured.

“No one is allowed to touch my baby.”

She stopped right in front of the nanny.

Her gaze sharp.

“No one.”

The woman looked slightly startled.

“Including…?”

Aurora didn’t give her time to finish.

“Including Dante. My husband.”

Silence.

The words fell like a warning.

Non-negotiable.

Unbreakable.

“If anyone tries to get close without my permission…”

Aurora tilted her head slightly.

Her smile was faint.

But laced with threat.

“You know what to do.”

The woman nodded quickly.

“I understand, ma’am.”

Aurora turned away.

Her eyes swept across the room.

But she wasn’t just looking.

She was ensuring.

Every corner. Every angle.

Because since last night, Aurora had already set everything in place.

Cameras.

In the living room.

In the hallway.

In the nursery.

Not a single corner was left uncovered.

Not a single movement would escape her sight.

This game…

She would control completely.

Afternoon.

The front door opened.

Aurora was already waiting.

Seated gracefully in the living room.

As if it were just another ordinary day.

Dante entered first.

He looked tired.

But still trying to appear composed.

Behind him—

Lily.

She looked pale.

But her eyes… were different.

Aurora saw it clearly.

That gaze.

A gaze that held something.

Something dark.

Aurora smiled.

“Congratulations on becoming a mother, Lily, my dear friend. How are you and your baby?”

Her tone was gentle.

As if nothing had happened.

“Thank you, my dear Aurora. As you can see, my baby and I are perfectly healthy. My baby is beautiful, just like yours.”

Dante nodded.

“Lily needs a place to rest. So I think it would be best if she stays here for a while. After all, you’ve both just become mothers.”

Aurora didn’t respond immediately.

She simply looked at both of them.

One after the other.

Then slowly…

She stood.

“Of course. I agree with your suggestion, Dante. That way, you can take care of both Lily and me at the same time.”

The answer came without hesitation.

Because that was exactly what she wanted.

Lily seemed slightly relieved.

“Thank you, Aurora… you’re truly my guardian angel.”

Aurora looked at her with a smile.

The same smile.

But her eyes… were no longer warm.

“You’re my friend.”

The words sounded sincere.

“I’m happy to help.”

Lily lowered her gaze.

“Thank you…”

Aurora stood.

“In that case, I’ll prepare a room.”

She turned.

But before walking away—

Aurora stopped.

Without turning back, she spoke softly,

“Oh, and…”

Dante and Lily instinctively looked at her.

Aurora tilted her head slightly.

Her smile faint.

“My baby is sleeping.”

Her tone shifted.

Lower.

Colder.

“Do not disturb her.”

Silence.

The sentence was simple.

Yet it felt like… a warning.

Night fell.

The house was now filled with more secrets.

More lies.

Aurora stood before a monitor in her private room.

Watching the camera feeds.

Every corner of the house was visible.

And on one of the screens—

She saw Lily.

Standing in front of the nursery.

Still.

Staring at the door.

Aurora narrowed her eyes.

A slow smile appeared on her lips.

“From now on…” she whispered softly.

“One wrong move…”

Her hand touched the screen.

Right where Lily’s image was.

“I will destroy you.”

On the screen, Lily slowly raised her hand.

Touching the nursery doorknob.

Aurora watched without blinking.

Her heart remained calm.

But her eyes…

Were calculating.

Then—

The door began to open.

Aurora smiled.

And whispered softly—

“…go ahead.”