I rest my head against Alex's shoulder, letting the quiet wrap around us like something fragile… something that could break if either of us moved too fast. His presence feels steady, grounding—like a storm can rage outside but here, in this small space, I'm safe.
For once, my mind isn't racing.
For once, I'm not thinking about Adrian.
Or Lily.
Or the humiliation waiting to explode.
Just… peace.
Then my phone rings.
The sharp sound slices through everything.
I stiffen instantly.
Alex doesn't move, but I feel the subtle shift in him—alert, aware. His hand, resting loosely near mine, tightens just slightly.
I glance at the screen.
Maria.
Of course.
A bitter taste rises in my throat.
"Don't answer if you don't want to," Alex murmurs quietly, his voice low, controlled.
I stare at the screen a second longer… then press accept.
"Hello?" My voice comes out colder than I expect—flat, distant.
A pause.
Then Maria's voice, smooth as ever, laced with that artificial warmth I've always hated.
"Aurora, dear… where are you?"
Not how are you.
Not are you okay.
Where are you.
I almost laugh.
"I'm out," I reply shortly.
Another pause—but this one feels… different. Tense. Calculated.
"You should come home," she says, softer now. "There are… guests."
My grip tightens around the phone. "I'm not in the mood for your social games, Maria."
"It's not a game." Her voice drops. "Adrian is here."
Everything inside me goes still.
Alex's shoulder tenses beneath my head.
"And?" I say, forcing indifference into my tone, even as my heart starts pounding. "He's free to visit his future in-laws, isn't he?"
Maria exhales slowly. "He didn't come alone."
Silence crashes down.
I already know.
I already know.
But hearing it… will make it real.
"Say it," I whisper.
"…Lily is with him."
The world doesn't shatter.
It doesn't explode.
It just… goes cold.
A slow, freezing numbness spreading through my veins.
"Interesting," I say, my voice eerily calm. "So they've decided to stop hiding."
"Aurora—" Maria starts, but I cut her off.
"No," I say sharply. "Don't pretend this is shocking to you. You always knew what your daughter was capable of."
Her silence confirms everything.
I let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Tell me, did she enjoy stealing my fiancé? Or was it just another one of her little games?"
"That's enough," Maria snaps, her tone finally cracking. "You will come home. Now."
The command in her voice ignites something inside me.
For so long, I've been polite. Controlled. Proper.
Not today.
"I don't take orders from you," I reply, my voice like ice. "Not anymore."
Before she can respond, I end the call.
The silence that follows is heavier than before.
But I'm not alone in it.
Slowly, I lower the phone, my fingers trembling just slightly.
Alex notices.
Of course he does.
Without a word, he shifts, turning slightly toward me. His hand comes up—not hesitating this time—and gently tilts my chin so I'm forced to look at him.
"Say it," he murmurs.
I swallow. "They're together. At my house."
Something dark flashes in his eyes.
Not surprise.
Not even anger.
Something colder. More dangerous.
"Good," he says quietly.
I blink. "Good?"
A faint, sharp smile touches his lips—but it doesn't reach his eyes.
"Now you don't have to pretend anymore."
The words hit deeper than I expect.
No more pretending.
No more being the perfect fiancée.
The obedient daughter.
The blind fool.
My chest rises slowly as I inhale.
And for the first time since everything fell apart… I don't feel weak.
I feel… awake.
Alex studies me carefully, like he's watching something shift beneath the surface.
"Tell me what you want to do," he says.
Not what you should do.
Not what's right.
What I want.
Power.
Choice.
Something I haven't felt in a long time.
I straighten slightly, pulling away just enough to sit up—but his presence is still there, solid, unshaken.
"I want them to regret it," I say quietly.
Alex's gaze darkens with approval.
"Then let's make sure they do."
A shiver runs down my spine—not of fear, but something sharper.
Stronger.
"Starting how?" I ask.
He leans closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
"By walking in there," he says, "like nothing they did was enough to break you."
My lips part slightly.
"And then?"
His eyes lock onto mine—intense, unwavering.
"And then we remind them," he says softly, "who you really are."
Something ignites inside me.
Not the soft, fragile girl they thought they could betray.
No.
Something far more dangerous.
I pick up my phone again, this time with steady hands.
"Take me home," I say.
Alex stands, offering his hand.
I take it without hesitation.
As our fingers intertwine, I realize something that sends a quiet thrill through me—
I'm not walking back into that house alone.
And this time…
I'm not the one who's going to lose.
Having someone with you is normal....
But knowing that they will stay ...
Protect...
Trust you....
Is the most dangerous yet heart warming thing.
As i get ready .....my mind drifted back to old memories...the feeling of being left out....
With dad choosing his little daughter over me...his hatered
.he never showed but i could feel it in his actions...his cold behaviour... how can a man blme his own daughter .... for a natural death of a women during child birth?
Yes my mother sacrificed her life for my sake...
But i never asked for it....
I take deep breaths as i close my eyes...
Stop it aurora...
You are not alone....
Alex is here....