05:

-AURORA WRIGHT-

I still couldn't believe Orion agreed to marry me. I had completely given up when he rejected me and suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and said he'd do anything for me.

A lot of question throbbed my heart. I wanted to ask him why he suddenly agreed but I figured it would be so weird and I just let him be.

However, I'm happy I wasn't thrown back to stage zero. Now, I had one phase gone and it's time to finally meet with my so called fiancee and call every fucking thing off.

I went back to Orion's office. We needed to talk.

“Uhm…” I made to speak but he interrupted.

“You don't have to thank me. Just consider this a favor since your father also once helped me out”

I nodded and mumbled…”Right”

I'm beginning to sense a little bit of arrogance in Orion Valois and it kinda pisses me off.

But, what am I supposed to do? He's a politician after all. And soon, I'll be his wife. Only on papers actually.

“What's your plan, Aurora? You are still legally engaged to Ethan Slade. What are you going to do?”

“I'm going to call off the engagement. Ethan doesn't deserve me. He doesn't deserve everything father gave to him. He's a big time jerk and I so much want to crush him to pieces..” I gritted out.

He was quiet…for a moment, like he was trying to understand the anger I'm feeling.

“You know, it's funny how one day you're engaged to Ethan and the next day, you want to get married to me…” He stood up, walked towards me and leaned on the desk.

“How much has the Slade family hurt you, Aurora? How are you willing to make that family suffer? How did they break you this much? Why are you in so much pain?”

I couldn't bring myself to tell him that I was given a second chance at life. Would he even believe me or just find me stupid?

“I'm willing to do anything…All I want is to see that family lose everything they have right now and beg at my feet. That family… killed my father just to have everything to themselves and I have been nothing but a fool…”

I paused and studied his expression… I couldn't make out anything. But his eyes, I noticed a flicker of anger in his eyes. Or maybe I'm just hallucinating.

“Once I get married to Ethan, my life will be ruined. I'd be turned into a slave, maltreated and everything would be taken away. Right after, they would have me killed and buried like a chicken..”

I took his hands in mine.. tears had already welled up in my eyes.

“You agreed to get married to me, Orion… All I need is you because I know you would help me get the revenge I want. I can't do anything on my own but with you, I'd taken them down. So, please.. help me out”

We remained in that position.. His eyes bored holes into mine and mine doing the same. You can say that I'm desperate and he'll, I am desperate.

With his other hand, he reached out to my cheek and wiped off my tears.

“When do we get married?” He asked.

“As soon as possible.. whenever is best for you” I responded.

“Break off the engagement with Ethan Slade within 24 hrs and get yourself ready. We will be getting married in the next 48hrs. Leave everything to me Aurora Wright..”

He went back to his seat while I just stared at him with lips agape.

___________

There are times when the whole world wants to turn against you and then, there's just one person.

Breaking up with Ethan would not be a hard thing to do… I know what I'm in for.

But, the one thing I'm not so sure of is what my marriage with Orion would turn out to be. It's just going to be the two of us…Just on paper.

I'm just going to let everything flow naturally.

By evening, I got myself prepared and went straight to the Slade mansion.

As I walked in, everything replayed in my head. The future which I still vividly remember.

The constant mistreatment from his mother and from Ethan himself.

I didn't call Ethan when I was coming over… that isn't necessary at all. However, I saw them having dinner and the sound of my heels made my presence known.

I could see the surprise on his face as he saw me. I didn't bother greeting his mother because she doesn't deserve any form of courtesy.

“Aurora?... What brings you here?”

“Aurora dear… it's so good to see you. You're right in time for dinner, come join us”

I scoffed inwardly.. Just watching them pretend so easily makes me sick to the core.

I feel like throwing up.

Disgust crawled up to my face and I'm just going to do what I'm here for.

“I'm not here to have dinner or whatever.. You can keep your food to yourself”

“What is that tone for, Aurora?”

“I would use whatever tone I like.. you can't tell me how to speak” I glared at him.

Ethan placed his cutlery down and stood up.

“What has come over you, Aurora? You sound very strange”

“I'm breaking off the engagement, Ethan. I am done being your fiancee. This whole thing.. marriage… I'm done with it”

He raised a brow.

“What did you just say?” He asked.

“You have no right to call off the engagement, Aurora” His mother snapped.

“I have the right to do what I want. Like I said, I'm calling off the engagement. I don't want to be with Ethan anymore. I don't want to be with a jerk and a pretender anymore…”

I received a slap from Mrs Slade… They probably hate this side of mine and they hate the sudden guts.

To them, Aurora Wright wouldn't dare call off the engagement.

“How dare you refer to my son as a jerk? What gave you the right? No daughter in-law of mine would behave so unruly”

My gaze moved to Ethan and he just couldn't hide his fury.

“I am not wrong after all. What do I expect from such a despicable family?” I said.. my voice is tight with resentment.

“That's enough, Aurora. I don't know what has come over you but trust me, you can't call off the engagement. You and I have been engaged for years and you of all people have been so excited about the wedding..”

“That was when I was stupid enough to fall for your manipulative actions Ethan.. I have found someone else and we will be getting married in a few days” I gritted out.

He laughed.. more like, he was actually trying to make a joke of me.

“Don't be foolish, Aurora… no one would marry a chubby lady as you…Absolutely no one. So, if I were you, I'd go down on my knees and apologize for being so stupid”

I scoffed inwardly and bit my inner cheek. There was nothing left for me to say.. I'm done anyways. I made to leave but he stopped me just when I took a step.

“Step out of that door, Aurora and I'm never going to get married to you even if you bring down the earth. Go down on your knees and apologize to my mother and I and I'd give you another chance. Your father's property is already in my name.. leave and you will have nothing left..not even a penny, I'll make sure of that”

I turned around and smirked..

“Is that a threat, Ethan?”

“Yes, Aurora.. I'm threatening you”

“Well then, I'll do you the honor of watching me leave. As for my father's properties.. you can keep it to yourself”

With that, I walked out on them.

As soon as I got into my car, I grabbed my phone and contacted Orion Valois. He picked up on the third ring.

“I’m ready” I said with a new found strength.