로그인Aurora's POVThe heavy door slammed shut, and the lock clicked from the outside.I stood in the middle of my old bedroom with my heart racing. I stared at the handle, but I did not bother trying to turn it. Nathan had planned this out cold. He had security guards downstairs, and I was just an empty-handed girl with no money, no title, and nobody on my side.I looked out the bedroom window. The second floor was way too high. If I jumped, I would break a leg, or worse, hurt the two little babies inside me.My hands shook, but I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths. Panicking would not help. Nathan had made it clear. He was getting his lawyers ready to force me into an agreement, and then he was sending me to a clinic far away to get rid of my babies.He was not going to wait around. He had an empire to run and a fancy wedding to plan for Sophie. Someone would come to drag me away first thing in the morning.I had to get out tonight.Hours passed by in dead silence.The bright mornin
Aurora's POV“Sophie, give that back right now,” I said, my voice dropping low as I lunged forward.She whipped her arm behind her back, laughing directly in my face.Asher leaned over her shoulder, squinting at the paper in her hand. “What is that?”“Our pure, perfect little Aurora is pregnant,” Sophie announced, her voice dripping with mockery.“And not just with one. With twins!”Asher stared at me like I was a ghost. His skin lost all its color. “You are pregnant?”“Give me my medical files, Sophie,” I said, my hands shaking with cold rage.Sophie completely ignored me. She tilted her head back toward the upper hallway and screamed at the top of her lungs.“Dad! Mom! Get down here right now!”Heavy, hurried footsteps immediately thundered along the upstairs hallway.Seconds later, Nathan came rushing down the marble staircase, fully dressed in his tailored charcoal suit and adjusting his silk tie, with Gabriella trailing right behind him in her morning gown.I felt a sickening dro
Aurora's POV I woke before sunrise with a heavy knot twisting inside my stomach. I sat up on the narrow mattress, placed a flat hand over my belly, and let out a long breath. “Just get the folder and walk away,” I whispered into the quiet room. I pulled on a simple sweater and jeans, tied my hair into a ponytail, and slipped my old house key into my coat pocket. The blue file was the only thing I needed. Once I had my biotechnology certificate and university transcripts, I would never have to see any of them again. I took the early morning bus across town. By the time the bus stopped near the familiar gates of the Brooks estate, my hands were freezing inside my pockets. The mansion looked as grand and untouched as ever. Tall black iron gates, manicured lawns, and huge glass windows reflecting the pale morning sun. I stood on the sidewalk for a brief second, looking at the place where I had spent twenty-three years of my life. Then I pushed the past out of my mind, walked down
A woman at five weeks was only supposed to carry a tiny cluster of cells.I stood in the dim bathroom with my hand flat against my belly. My heart was pounding, and I did not dare to breathe as I waited for that strange kick to happen again.Nothing.I let out a shaky breath and leaned over the small sink.“You are losing your mind, Aurora,” I muttered.It made sense. I had barely slept in weeks. My back ached from scrubbing dirty dishes at the diner, and I was surviving on cheap bread and pure anxiety. My tired nerves were just playing tricks on me.I splashed cold water on my face, but when I looked down at the counter, reality stared right back.Two bright red lines.Clear as day.I could tell myself whatever I wanted, but the test did not lie. I was pregnant.Early the next morning, I threw on my coat and walked to the nearest community clinic. I almost turned around twice before walking through the glass doors. I was down to my last few dollars, and every unexpected medical bi
Aurora's POV My knees gave out, and I fell hard against the floor, gasping for air as my body heaved. I held my hands over my mouth, fighting the terrible sickness coming up my throat. My forehead touched the cold wooden floor, and my whole body shook. When the sickness finally passed, I sat up against the bed and wiped cold sweat from my face. “It's just stress,” I whispered to the empty room. I had barely eaten anything in days. I had spent three weeks locked in this room with no sleep and a broken heart. My body was simply breaking down under the pain. I forced myself onto my feet and walked into the bathroom. I washed my face with cold water and looked in the mirror. My face looked thin. Dark circles sat under my eyes. I pressed my hand against my stomach, but the strange flutter was gone. I told myself to stop thinking about it. I had less than one day to pack my things and leave my father's house. I spent the rest of the night packing. My clothes went into two worn bag
Aurora’s POV The key turned inside the lock of my bedroom door. I looked up from the biotechnology journal on my lap, knowing immediately it wasn't one of the maids. They always knocked first. For three long weeks, my father had kept me locked inside this room like a disgraced prisoner. The door swung open, and Sophie stepped inside. She looked nothing like the tearful sister who had hidden behind our father two weeks ago. Today, she wore an expensive white designer dress that hugged her curves. Her hair was styled to perfection, and on her left ring finger sat a massive emerald-cut diamond ring. She closed the door behind her, smiling with pure triumph. “I thought you might want to see this,” she purred. My eyes went straight to the glittering rock. A dull ache ripped through my chest. “Asher proposed,” she said, holding her hand higher so the diamond caught the morning light. “The contracts were signed this morning. Both families agreed to everything. The wedding date will







