Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – The Initial Confrontation

The drive to the mansion was silent. Aurora watched the city lights blur past the window, but her gaze was distant. Fear grew inside her as the car moved farther away from the life she once knew. Without her friend, the housekeeper, by her side, she felt completely alone, wondering what awaited her in that house that would now be her new home—next to a man who clearly hated her at first sight.

In the front seat, Andrews’ assistant broke the silence:

“Are you sure you want to take her home tonight, sir?”

Aurora’s heart clenched. Even without looking at them, she could feel the tension in the air.

“What did you expect? That I’d leave her in a hotel?” Andrews’ voice was cold, merciless. “She’s my wife now. Besides, if I made things easy, she’d run, and I’d lose every trace of this woman.”

Aurora tightened her fingers against the fabric of her dress. He spoke of her as if she were an object, a problem to be solved.

“But she wasn’t the one you were supposed to marry… This caught us off guard,” the assistant admitted hesitantly.

She felt the weight of those words like a cruel reminder of her place there. She wasn’t wanted. She wasn’t welcome.

Silence returned, broken only by the beep of Andrews’ phone. Aurora didn’t dare turn her face, but she felt the shift in the atmosphere. He went rigid. Something on that phone had bothered him.

“She has no idea who she’s messing with…” His voice came out low, laced with fury.

Aurora looked away from the window. A chill ran down her spine. She didn’t know what that man was planning, but she was certain she was treading dangerous ground.

When the car stopped at the estate, Aurora got out alone. The housekeeper who welcomed her seemed kind, but there was something in the woman’s eyes—caution. Fear, perhaps?

“Your bags are already in the main bedroom,” she informed.

Aurora hesitated. Part of her expected Andrews to force her to stay in the same room, but apparently, he was too busy stewing in his rage.

A small smile crept onto her lips—not out of relief, but because, deep down, she felt an almost childish satisfaction in defying him. What could he really do?

As she walked down the luxurious hallway, her eyes wandered across the grandeur of the place. The mansion’s imposing presence made her feel small—but also sparked her curiosity.

“The bathroom is ready. Your warm bath and clothes are on the bed, ma’am,” the housekeeper said. “If you need anything, just call.”

Aurora murmured a thank you before entering the room.

In that moment, she realized she was part of a game whose rules she still didn’t know.

She murmured another thank you as she stepped inside. For a brief moment, she felt like a princess—surrounded by care that felt so distant from her reality. There were new clothes on the bed, and the room, though luxurious, had a peculiar scent. The fragrance in the air was masculine—something that didn’t belong.

The atmosphere was dark and imposing, but had no trace of comfort. It wasn’t the kind of room she imagined for herself—but for some reason, she didn’t mind.

She walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. The sound of hot water hitting her skin was immediate relief, dissolving some of the tension still clinging to her body.

Maybe, she thought, the night would pass without further surprises. At least, she hoped so.

She put on the nightgown the housekeeper had left for her—a black silk piece that clung perfectly to her body, highlighting her curves in a way that made her blush.

Her hair was still damp, falling in soft waves around her face. The contrast between her dark locks and delicate skin gave her an almost ethereal look. Her eyes, filled with an innocence that didn’t match the situation, made her face look naively beautiful—and her calm expression masked the inner storm she tried not to show.

She didn’t want him to know how much the situation bothered her. She thought maybe she could relax for a moment—but the night was far from over.

With a small sigh, she opened the bathroom door.

And that was when she saw the figure in front of her.

Her smile faded.

Her body froze.

Her skin turned pale in an instant.

He was there.