Stay tuned for the next chapter.
|I’ll prove it|.Aurora, Rayn, and Daniel remained seated in the hospital waiting room. Aurora's leg bounced nervously, her fingers clinging to Daniel’s for comfort, while Rayn sat silently on a nearby chair looking Aurora time to time.Finally, the doctor appeared with Lucas’s reports in hand. Aurora shot up from her seat, her heart racing as she rushed forward. “Doctor, how is he? Is he okay?”The doctor gave her a reassuring nod. “Thankfully, there are no internal injuries. However, Lucas is severely malnourished, and he’s been through immense psychological trauma. His body will recover with proper nutrition and care, but the emotional scars may take longer. I strongly recommend therapy sessions starting immediately. Without proper treatment, the trauma could affect him long-term.”Aurora’s knees buckled slightly, and Daniel was quick to steady her. Tears streamed down her face as she listened to the doctor’s words. “This is all my fault,” she whispered, her voice cracking.”
|Turn yourself in||Aurora|.It’s been three months since I found Lucas. Each passing day feels like a small step toward healing—for him, for me, for the both of us. There are still nights when he wakes up crying, trembling from the nightmares that haunt him. Those nights break my heart, but they’re fewer now.Recently, I’ve noticed a change in him, a light returning to his eyes. He’s started to smile again—genuine, carefree smiles. He runs around the yard, laughing with the friends he’s made, and his laughter feels like the sweetest melody I’ve ever heard. His once frail body has grown stronger, and his rosy cheeks remind me of the Lucas I used to know before all of this. It’s the most fulfilling feeling to see him this way.I thought back to Rayn’s actions in the past months. He saved Lucas, putting himself at risk. He stayed silent when Daniel accused him, taking it all without a word. And now, he had given me back everything—without a fight, without any explanation.A par
|I’ll wait|. Now Zoe and Ivy had started to meet with Aurora, they had tried to contact with her but every time they were shut by Amanda, in fact once Ivy came to invite her for her birthday but Amanda didn’t even let her enter the house and shut the door over her face, Aurora was not aware of the situation since she didn’t have mobile so that she can contact with others.Now, sitting with Zoe and Ivy over cups of tea, Aurora felt warmth she hadn’t experienced in years. Their laughter, their shared memories, their encouragement—it was like a lifeline pulling her out of the darkness she had been trapped in.Still her heart was not at ease.She had recently joined the company Rayn had left in her hands. Walking into the office for the first time had been overwhelming. People whispered as she passed, and their curious gazes followed her everywhere. The internet had already spread news of Amanda’s arrest like wildfire, and speculations about Aurora and Rayn’s strained relationshi
|You’ve got guts |.Amanda sat on the cold, hard bench of the prison cell, massaging her aching legs with a scowl etched deep on her face. She had once roamed a grand mansion, dictating orders with the wave of a hand. Now...Amanda never thoughts one day her son will betray her and ruin her entire dream and why because her son fall in love with that bitch and suddenly felt regret and ditched everything even his mother.“Hey!” Rita barked, snapping out of her thoughts. She directed her venom at Amanda who was kneeling at her feet, who was tasked with giving her a leg massage. “Are you even trying? What are you, some weak little Barbie? Put some strength into it!”She stopped mid-massage, her hands trembling with pent-up frustration. “I’m not doing this anymore!” Amanda snapped, standing up to meet Rita’s glare.“Who do you think you are? You’re not some queen here. You’re just another inmate, like the rest of us!”Rita’s nostrils flared as she shot to her feet. Her towering fi
|My best friend|.Aurora sat up in bed, clutching the blanket tightly around her. Her room was dark. The uneasy feeling settled in her chest again—the same feeling that had been haunting her for days. It wasn’t fear exactly, but an unsettling, as if someone was there, just out of sight.Her heart raced as her eyes darted around the room. The shadows seemed deeper tonight, the silence heavier. She swallowed hard and tried to shake the thought away. It’s just your imagination, she told herself. You’re tired, and your mind is playing tricks on you.But this wasn’t new. For weeks now, Aurora had felt it—an odd sensation, like someone was watching her. It wasn’t present during the day or when she was at work. It only came when she was home, alone, especially in her room.She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. 2:37 AM. Aurora sighed and rubbed her temples. She threw off the blanket and stood, her bare feet sinking into the soft carpet. Deciding to check on Lucas, she tiptoe
|wake up|.Lucas, clutching his stuffed toy, glanced at the clock. The tiny hands told him it was past two in the afternoon, and his stomach growled in protest. He turned back to Aurora but she lay unmoving, wrapped in deep sleep.“Aaru, wake up!” Lucas pleaded, his small hands gently shaking her shoulder. But Aurora didn’t stir, her breath soft and even. Lucas sighed dramatically, his tiny brows furrowing.“Well, if you won’t wake up, I’ll feed myself,” he muttered, his childlike determination firm.Lucas made his way to the kitchen, dragging a stool across the floor with a loud scrape. He climbed onto it and opened the refrigerator.To his dismay, there wasn’t much that appealed to him. His nose wrinkled when his eyes landed on a carton of milk.“Yuck,” he grumbled, closing the fridge with a pout.Turning his attention to the cabinets, Lucas stood on tiptoes, stretching his little arms to reach the top shelf. His heart leapt when he spotted a packet of chocolate-chip lava co
|You are so adorable|.Aurora’s eyes fluttered open, and immediately, that strange, suffocating feeling washed over her again. It was stronger this time, almost unbearable. She tried to rub the heaviness out of her eyes, her hands trembling slightly. Sitting upright in bed, she clutched her head, her voice a shaky whisper, “What is happening to me?”The room around her came into focus slowly. She realized she was in her own bed,she didn’t remember falling in sleep on her bed since The last thing she remembered was sitting with Ivy, Zoe, and Lucas. She had been laughing, talking, completely at ease. But now...Her heart dropped as panic crept in. “Ivy, Zoe… Oh my God, Lucas?” Her voice rose in alarm as she jumped out of bed, yanking the door open and stepping into the dimly lit hallway.“Luc?” she called out, her voice echoing eerily. The house was silent—“Ivy? Zoe?” Her pulse quickened as she made her way down the hallway, stopping to check every room. “Where are you? Please,
|No mercy|.“Don’t make the same mistake your son did,” Axel growled, his voice low and threatening. With a rough shove, he pushed Amanda to the ground. She stumbled, landing hard, gasping as pain shot through her.Aurora watched the scene unfold in horror, her breath catching as Amanda hit the floor. “Stop!” Aurora screamed, her voice piercing through the tension. She stepped forward instinctively.Axel turned his gaze back to Aurora, a sick grin spreading across his face. “Aw, how touching,” he said mockingly. “You care about her? After everything she’s done to you? That’s adorable.”Aurora's body tensed as Axel’s cold fingers grazed her cheek in a mockery of affection. Her skin crawled, and bile rose in her throat at his touch. “Where are my brother and my friends?” she demanded again.Axel chuckled darkly, leaning closer to her. “Oh, my sweet, naive baby,” he said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. “You’re in no position to be thinking about anyone but yourself. D
|The better Version|.After the party ended, Aurora headed for a shower. Irene was already fast asleep, completely worn out from all the running and playing with her friends. I couldn’t help but chuckle—my little girl had so much energy. One day, I wouldn’t be surprised if she won a marathon.Lucas, on the other hand, went out with his friends. Before leaving, he shot me a look and said, "You make me sick," before slamming the door behind him.After the party I started tidying up. Irene’s books were scattered all over the table. then I found one of her drawings. It made me pause. She had drawn our little family—Aurora, Irene, Lucas and me. My chest tightened as I stared at the picture. She had included me, her dad, in her little world. I glanced at her sleeping face, peaceful and innocent, and for the first time in a long while, I felt warmth I couldn’t describe.Afterward, I went to my room to shower. As I dried off, I stood in front of the mirror. I stood before the mirror
|Finding Redemption|.|Rayn|Time moved on, and with it, my bond with Irene grew stronger. She was a radiant ball of joy, lighting up every corner of my world. Watching her laugh, play, and even pout felt like a balm to the gaping wounds of my guilt. Every moment with her was bittersweet, a reminder of how much I had missed in her life.Aurora had told her so much about me, despite my absence. Irene often shared stories her mother had passed down—stories where I wasn’t the monster I believed myself to be. It was humbling, and I couldn’t help but feel indebted to Aurora. She could have painted me as the villain, yet she chose to preserve some image of me for our daughter.I was still trying to process the shock of Aurora staying single. The thought had haunted me for years—Axel, the man I believed would step in where I failed. But to my surprise, Axel had married his girlfriend years ago, though he still remained in touch with Aurora. Knowing Axel, I was certain he had loved
|Is this worth?|.Aurora’s eyes fell on him, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. Their gazes locked, her breath hitching as recognition and disbelief swept over her. Rayn stood at the gate, looking like a man reshaped by the weight of years.His once youthful face was now marked by faint lines of age and pain. His sharp features had softened slightly, but his eyes—those deep, piercing eyes—still held the intensity she remembered. His hair, now peppered with a touch of gray at the temples, was neatly combed back.Aurora, at 30, looked different too. Her face had matured, a quiet strength radiating from her. The playful brightness in her eyes had dimmed slightly. Her long, dark brown hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her simple yet elegant floral dress swayed in the gentle breeze. She looked beautiful.Beside her stood a young girl, about nine years old, her small hand clutching Aurora’s skirt. Irene was a perfect blend of them both, with Rayn’s sharp jawline and Au
|Aurora & Daniel|.Rayn sat quietly on the cold concrete floor, his back against the wall as Jason, his prison mate, grinned at him.“Hey, man, congratulations on getting out of here so early,” Jason said, giving Rayn a friendly pat on the back.Rayn had granted five years off his prison time since he was well behaved and never caused a single problem in fact Rayn gained good reputation which helped him to cut the prison time.Rayn nodded, managing a faint smile. “Thanks.”Jason sat beside him, leaning forward slightly. “So, aren’t you excited to finally see your family? Must be a big deal after all this time.”At the mention of “family,” Rayn’s smile faltered, replaced by a distant, melancholic expression. The word felt foreign—almost meaningless. Did he still have a family? His mother was gone, and as for Aurora... he wasn’t sure if he had the right to call her his anymore.Ten years was a long time.He thought of her—Aurora, his wife. Or at least she had been his wife. The
|Pay for sins|.Aurora stood frozen, her gaze lingering on the spot where Elina had exited the courtroom. A storm of emotions brewed inside her—anger, frustration, and an aching sadness. She wanted to run after Elina, plead with her to reconsider, to understand that Rayn’s actions weren’t cold-blooded murder but acts born out of desperation, self-defense, and tragic accidents.But deep down, Aurora knew it was futile. Elina had made it abundantly clear before the trial that she would stop at nothing to ensure Rayn received the harshest punishment. And she had succeeded.A gentle hand rested on Aurora’s shoulder, and she didn’t need to turn to know it was Daniel. She wiped at her tears, trying to compose herself, and turned to face him.“Let’s go, Aurora,” Daniel said softly, his voice filled with quiet concern. “Zoe called. Lucas has been asking for you for a while now.”Aurora’s lips trembled as she fought back another wave of tears. She nodded but remained rooted to the spo
|The emptiness of his heart|.The courtroom was tense, every breath seemingly held in suspense. Rayn sat silently in the defendant’s box, his head lowered, and his expression void of any emotion. His entire body bore the scars —cuts and bruises lined his face and hands, and his shoulder was tightly bandaged from the gunshot wound. Aurora sat in the front row, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she watched him. Tears welled in her eyes as she took in his hollow gaze. She couldn’t understand how things had spiraled so far, so fast. Daniel and Ivy sat beside her, their faces grim and filled with worry. Ivy occasionally glanced at Aurora, her hand reaching out to comfort her friend, but Aurora remained fixated on Rayn. On the opposite side of the courtroom, Elina sat with a composed yet cold expression. She was unmoved, her focus entirely on the proceedings. The lawyer she had hired, Martin, was a seasoned professional, his words sharp and deliberate as he presented his
|You betrayed me| Rayn immediately shielded Aurora with his body, groaning as the bullet grazed his shoulder. “Rayn!” Amanda’s scream pierced the air, her face pale with fear as she saw her son take the hit meant for Aurora. Aurora gasped, clutching Rayn’s arm as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Why, Rayn? Why would you do that?” she whispered, her voice trembling. Axel chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with malice. “Well, well. I didn’t see this coming,” he said, his gaze shifting to Amanda. “Amanda, you truly are full of surprises. Who would’ve thought you’ll have the gun and even pull the trigger? Impressive.” Amanda stood frozen, her hands trembling as she stared at the gun in her hand. Tears streaked her face, but her expression remained bitter and cold. “I did what I had to,” she spat, her voice sharp and unforgiving. “You think I’ll let anyone ruin my son’s life? Never.” Axel smirked, his amusement growing. “What a scene! A mother shooting to protect her so
|Kill Me|.Axel tilted Aurora’s chin up with a cruel smirk, his fingers brushing a strand of her hair aside. “You know,” he began, his voice a twisted mixture of mockery and fascination, “I never planned on involving you in this. But when I saw how his eyes burned every time I mentioned your name… That’s when it hit me. You’re his weakness, Aurora. The one thing he cares about.”Aurora’s heart raced, her chest tightening with every word he spoke. She could feel his breath on her neck as he leaned closer, inhaling her scent “You’re the opposite of him,” Axel whispered, his voice dripping with venom. “Where he’s fire, you’re water. He’s ruthless, and you… you’re tender. You’re the perfect tool to break him.”She shivered, her mind racing for a way out, but before she could react, the door to the room slammed open with a thunderous crash.All eyes turned to the doorway. There, standing like a ghost risen from hell, was Rayn. His clothes were torn and soaked with blood—his own bl
|No mercy|.“Don’t make the same mistake your son did,” Axel growled, his voice low and threatening. With a rough shove, he pushed Amanda to the ground. She stumbled, landing hard, gasping as pain shot through her.Aurora watched the scene unfold in horror, her breath catching as Amanda hit the floor. “Stop!” Aurora screamed, her voice piercing through the tension. She stepped forward instinctively.Axel turned his gaze back to Aurora, a sick grin spreading across his face. “Aw, how touching,” he said mockingly. “You care about her? After everything she’s done to you? That’s adorable.”Aurora's body tensed as Axel’s cold fingers grazed her cheek in a mockery of affection. Her skin crawled, and bile rose in her throat at his touch. “Where are my brother and my friends?” she demanded again.Axel chuckled darkly, leaning closer to her. “Oh, my sweet, naive baby,” he said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. “You’re in no position to be thinking about anyone but yourself. D