Chapter 2

"Dominic?"

I clung to him as he carried me out of the inferno, his strength unwavering. The fresh air hit my face as we exited the house, but he didn't stop. He kept walking, his jaw clenched and his eyes dark.

"Where are we going?" I murmured, my voice slurred.

He didn't reply, his eyes razor sharp as he pulled me through the estate grounds to some hidden corner of it. We came into an old guest cottage, moonlight providing dim illumination inside the space.

And that was when I saw it.

Through the half-open door of the master bedroom, Patrick and Eva were entwined on the bed.

My breath hitched on the scene that greeted me: Eva's arms wreathed around Patrick's neck, her lips pressed to his in a fevered kiss. Patrick's hands roamed over her body; there was no misunderstanding their intimacy.

Dominic tensed beside me. His fists clenched at his sides. "So that's how it is," he growled low, an edge of disdain in his voice.

I pulled him back before they could notice us, my heart hammering in my chest. The betrayal was overwhelming—Eva, my supposed stepsister, and Patrick, the man I was supposed to marry.

Dominic's hand still lay on my arm as we retreated in silence. When we got to my room, I collapsed onto the bed, my face a stream of tears.

“I told you,” Dominic said, his voice soft but firm. “You’re just a pawn to them. They don’t care about you.”

I wiped at my tears angrily. “I don’t care about them either. Not anymore.”

Dominic’s gaze bore into me, intense and unyielding. “Then stop letting them control you.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I looked at him, really looked at him, and something shifted. The walls I had built around myself cracked under the weight of his presence.

He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my cheek. "Aurora."

Before I could even think about it, before I could somehow manage to pull myself away, I leaned in and my lips found their way onto his. Slow at first, tentative, but then firmer, a kiss growing deeper. His hands roamed my back, pressing me toward him as the heat between us exploded into something out of both our controls.

That night, I just let everything go-my pain, my fears, my loyalties-and I gave myself to Dominic.

The Next Morning

I woke to the sunlight streaming through the window, but it wasn't the only thing. A loud knock on the door startled me, and I quickly pulled the covers up as Dominic sat up beside me, his expression unreadable.

"Open the door, Aurora!" Patrick's voice boomed from the hallway.

My blood ran cold.

Dominic looked at me, his smirk returning despite the situation. "Looks like the games are about to begin.

What do we do?" I whispered, panic rising.

Patrick knocked for a little longer, and he was already upset while Dominic was busy kissing me inside the room. Finally, when Dominic hid, I opened the door, wearing a towel, pretending to be on shower since 

Patrick stood at the doorway, his eyes narrowing as they scanned my disheveled appearance. I clutched the towel tighter around myself, willing my expression to remain neutral.

"What took you so long?" he snapped, his tone sharp.

"I was in the shower," I replied, feigning nonchalance. "Is there a problem?"

Patrick's eyes darted past me into the room, his suspicion palpable. "I thought I heard voices."

suspicion.

"Where is Dominic?" he barked.

I blinked, feigning ignorance. "Why are you asking me? I didn't see him. 

Patrick's eyes scanned the room like a hawk, his gaze finally landing on the chair near my vanity. His face darkened.

"This is Dominic's shirt," he said, picking it up with accusatory fingers.

I crossed my arms, meeting his glare. "Have you forgotten? I was the one who took care of his injury last night—here. That's why the shirt is here." My voice hardened as I added, "And you were too busy with Eva to notice anything else."

Patrick stiffened, his jaw clenching. "Watch your tone, Aurora. Don't act like you're above your place."

"My place?" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "If you're so concerned about Dominic, maybe you should worry about what he knows about you and Eva."

His eyes flashed with a dangerous glint. "What are you implying?"

I stepped closer, my voice lowering. "I saw you, Patrick. Last night. In her room."

For a moment, Patrick seemed taken aback, but his composure quickly returned, his lips curving into a cold smile. "Whatever you think you saw, keep it to yourself. You don’t want to make me your enemy."

I felt a chill run down my spine, but I refused to back down. "That goes both ways, Patrick."

Patrick's face twisted in anger as I held up my phone, playing the video of him and Eva on the screen. He looked like he wanted to snatch it from my hand, but he knew better.

"You wouldn't dare," he hissed low but venomously.

"Wouldn't I?" I shot back-the hold on the device tight in my hand. "We know full well you have so much more to lose than I ever do. I want two easy things from you: stay engaged with me, keep the illusion going, and don't mess with my business. Then I won't mess with yours either."

"Are you threatening to blackmail me?" Patrick's voice raged, barely in his control.

I tilted my head, a faint smirk tugging at my lips. "Think of it as a deal, Patrick. One that benefits us both."

His jaw tightened, the tendons in his neck straining as he fought the urge to lash out. Finally, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

The moment the door shut, a slow clap echoed across the room. My blood turned cold as I turned to find Dominic emerging from the shadows with that infuriating smirk on his face.

"Ah, impressive," he drawled, leaning against the wall with nonchalance. "Didn't know you had it in you to stand up to dear Patrick."

"Dominic!" I hissed, my heart pounding. "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough," he said, his voice teasing, while his eyes were sharp. "So, you're blackmailing my brother now? Didn't think you had such a dark side, Aurora."

"I'm not blackmailing him," I snapped, my cheeks flushing. "I'm.managing the situation."

Dominic chuckled, his gaze never leaving mine. "Whatever you need to tell yourself, sweetheart."

As Dominic placed himself on the edge of my bed, I felt a rage burst through me. "What are you doing here, Dominic? You can't just hide in my room like that."

"Relax," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "I had a feeling things would get interesting between you and Patrick. Looks like I was right."

"Is that all I am to you? Some sort of entertainment?" I exclaimed, crossing my arms.

His smirk faltered for a brief moment, replaced by a flicker of something I couldn't quite place. "No," he said softly, his voice losing its edge.

Before I could say anything more, Dominic stood, his face serious. "Listen, Aurora. You're playing with fire with Patrick. He's not a man you will be able to keep on a leash for very long. And Joanne? She's ten times worse."

"What do you know about Joanne?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Dominic hesitated, his jaw tightening. "More than I should. Just.be careful. She’s not who she pretends to be."

"I want you to have dinner with me today.” Dominic, that's too much to ask me, do you want them to find out about our affair? I have something to tell you, aurora. so you need to accept it.

I will be waiting for you at my place.