Chapter 4

The sound of Damian’s footsteps on the stairs was loud and heavy.

Aurora’s heart stopped. She tried to pull away from Adrian, her hands pushing frantically against his chest. "Adrian, let go! He’s coming up! He’s going to find you in here!"

But Adrian didn't let go. His grip on her wrist actually tightened. He looked down at her, his eyes dark, intense, and completely calm. It was like he didn't care if Damian walked in and saw them. In fact, a part of him looked like he wanted Damian to find out.

"Let him come," Adrian whispered, his voice dangerously smooth. "Let him see who you actually belong to."

"Are you insane?" Aurora gasped, tears of panic rushing to her eyes. "He will ruin us both! Adrian, please, if you really love me, let go!"

The word love seemed to finally reach him. His jaw clenched, and he slowly released her wrist. But he didn't run. Instead, he stepped back and stood behind the heavy satin curtain of the large bay window, completely hiding himself in the shadows just as the doorknob jiggled.

The door didn't open.

"Aurora?" Damian's voice called out from the hallway, followed by a loud, impatient knock. "Why is this door locked?"

Aurora swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. She rushed to the door, unlocked it, and pulled it open, trying to stand in a way that blocked Damian’s view of the room.

"I was... I was changing, Damian," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Damian looked down at her, his eyes cold and suspicious. He stepped into the room anyway, pushing past her. He glanced around the bedroom. For a second, Aurora’s heart stopped as his eyes lingered on the heavy curtains by the window, but he quickly looked away, focusing on his half-packed suitcase on the bed.

"Why isn't this finished?" Damian snapped, pointing at the open suitcase. "I told you I have to leave for the airport soon. I don't have time for your laziness, Aurora."

"I was folding your shirts," she said softly, looking down at the floor. She could feel Adrian’s eyes on her from behind the curtain. The tension in the room was so thick she could barely breathe.

"Well, hurry up," Damian said. He walked over to the vanity table, picking up his gold watch. "And when I'm gone, do not leave this estate. I have clients coming over next week, and I need you here to prepare the guest rooms. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Damian," she murmured.

"Good." Damian didn't even look at her as he walked back out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

The moment the door shut, Adrian stepped out from behind the curtain. His face was pale with anger. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

"He treats you like an animal," Adrian said, his voice deep and shaking with rage. He walked over to her, grabbing her shoulders. "He speaks to you like you are nothing. How can you stand it, Aurora? How can you let him do this to you?"

"What do you want me to do, Adrian?" she cried out, the tears finally spilling over her cheeks. "I have no money! My father’s company is dependent on his financial support. I am trapped in this marriage! I can't just leave!"

"You can," Adrian said, his voice suddenly dropping into a quiet, firm tone. He leaned down, his face inches from hers. "You can leave him. I have more money than Damian. I have my own companies, my own estate. I can buy your father's debt. I can buy his entire business and give it back to him. I can give you anything you want, Aurora."

Aurora stared at him, her breath catching. She knew Adrian was rich—everyone in the city knew he was a genius businessman—but hearing him offer to buy her father's freedom just to have her was terrifying.

"You can't just buy me, Adrian," she whispered.

"I'm not buying you," Adrian said, his dark eyes burning with a heavy, possessive hunger. He reached up, his hand gently cupping the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair. "I am saving you. But once I save you, I am never letting you go. You will be mine, Aurora. Fully mine."

His touch was so warm, so different from Damian’s cold hands. It made her feel alive, but it also made her feel like she was falling into a dark, endless ocean. He was her junior brother. He was younger than her. But right now, he felt like the most powerful, dangerous man she had ever met.

"You need to leave," she whispered, her voice losing its strength as he leaned closer. "Please, Adrian. Go to your office."

Adrian looked at her lips, his thumb tracing her jawline one last time. He knew he was driving her crazy. He knew he was breaking her defenses down, bit by bit.

"I'm leaving," Adrian said quietly. "But I will be back tonight. And when Damian is gone... we are going to talk about your future. My future. Together."

He released her, turned around, and walked out of the room, leaving the door open.

Aurora sank onto the edge of the bed, her body shaking. She looked at the half-packed suitcase, then at the open door. Her life was turning into a storm, and she was caught right in the middle of two brothers—one who ignored her, and one who wanted to consume her entire world.