Chapter 17Aurora walked into school the next morning with her head low and her chest tight.She hadn’t slept.Not after what she heard Edward say.“I’m not making the same mistake I made with the first one.”She kept hearing those words. Replaying them in her head like a broken record.Liam’s mom hadn’t died by accident.And now Edward was watching her too.She scanned the hall as she moved, her stomach twisting.Everyone was talking. Whispering. Staring.Her name was mixed in with his.Liam.The rumors had grown worse overnight.She heard snippets.“They said he broke into the professor’s office…”“No, no, it was the car. I heard it’s missing. They think he set it on fire…”“I saw him threatening a guy behind the gym last week. He’s crazy.”Aurora pushed through the noise, heading to the back parking lot where she knew she’d find him.And there he was.Leaning against his bike, cigarette between his lips, black jacket hanging off his shoulder, acting like the world wasn’t trying to
Chapter 18It was real.Aurora stood frozen, staring at the strange red mark burned into Liam’s chest.A twisted “R” with wings, like it had been seared into his skin long ago.She reached out without thinking, her fingers barely grazing the scar. It was raised. Old. Permanent.Liam didn’t flinch. He just stood there, watching her with tired eyes.“You were marked,” she whispered. “Like property.”He slowly pulled his shirt back down. “That’s what happens when you belong to the Crimson Sons.”Aurora stepped back, heart pounding in her chest. “So it’s true.”Liam nodded once. “I’m one of them.”She blinked. “But why? Why would you join a gang that works with your father? That kills people?”His jaw tightened. “Because I didn’t have a choice.”Aurora’s voice cracked. “Everyone has a choice, Liam.”He looked at her then. Really looked. “Not when someone you love is on the line.”She stilled.He ran a hand through his hair, pacing a little as if the memories were too heavy to stand still
Chapter 19Aurora woke up that morning with one clear thought in her head—she needed to breathe.Everything in her life felt too dark, too heavy.Liam’s confession. The red mark. The person watching them. The note under her pillow.She couldn’t think straight anymore.So she decided to do the one thing that had always made her feel free—dance.Ballet was the only thing in the world that made sense to her.It was soft and strong. Controlled and wild. Just like her life had become.She dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, tied her hair into a bun, and headed to the student activities board in the main hall.She stared at the wall for five whole minutes.No ballet club.Just football, swimming, drama, debate… and cheerleading.Aurora sighed. Of course.She stepped closer, reading the details. Cheer tryouts were happening that afternoon.She hesitated.It wasn’t her thing. Not at all.But it was movement. It was rhythm. It was something to do that wasn’t worrying about gangs or secret messa
Chapter Twenty Aurora walked through the quiet hallway, her mind swirling with questions. The note in her bag still burned like a secret against her side. She was on her way to meet Jace in Room 105, just like he asked. She didn’t know what he wanted—but anything was better than sitting around wondering if Liam was still lying to her.As she crossed the back lot, she passed the old school garage. The door was half-open. She heard it first—soft laughter, then a muffled moan. She slowed, her brows drawing together. Something about the sound made her chest tighten. She stepped quietly to the side, near a dusty window, and peeked through.Her heart dropped. Inside, she saw Liam. He was pressed up against a car, his hands tangled in a girl’s hair.Jessica.Her legs were wrapped around his waist, her head thrown back as Liam kissed down her throat, rough and hungry. His hands gripped her hips hard, grinding into her.Aurora’s body locked. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. She watched Li
Chapter 21Aurora woke up with the taste of yesterday still on her lips. The kiss. The stare. The note.Her head pounded with questions. Why had she kissed Jace? Why had Liam shown up? And who kept leaving those haunting notes?She sat up slowly, pulling her blanket around her shoulders. She should have felt guilty. But she didn’t. She just felt… confused. And tired. So damn tired of being the one who always got hurt.By the time she got to school, her heart was still racing.She had just opened her locker when a voice came from behind her.“Didn’t think you’d actually show up after that grand exit.”Aurora turned. Jace Carter stood there, hands in his pockets, a boyish grin on his face.“You okay?” he asked, stepping closer. “You kinda ghosted me last night.”Aurora gave a small smile. “Sorry. A lot happened.”Jace leaned against the locker beside hers. “Wanna skip lunch? Go grab coffee? You look like you need something stronger than cafeteria pizza.”She hesitated—but then nodded. “
Chapter 22Aurora couldn’t sleep.The silence in the house was heavy, pressing on her chest like a weight.Moonlight streamed through her window, casting soft silver shadows across the floor. She slipped out of bed, wrapped in her white satin nightgown. It brushed gently against her skin with every step. Her ballet slippers waited by the door, just where she’d left them—quiet, delicate, hers.She needed to move. To breathe.To escape her thoughts.The hallway was dimly lit. Quiet.She tiptoed across the wooden floors, the air cool against her bare arms. Her feet moved instinctively, muscle memory guiding her into graceful turns, slow stretches, delicate steps that made no sound. She closed her eyes, letting the rhythm flow through her body. Her gown floated with her movements, soft and flowing, like a second skin.This was peace.This was the only place where she still felt like herself.Until she heard it.A low sound.A soft moan.Aurora froze mid-spin, one leg extended, arms lifted
Chapter 23Aurora opened her eyes slowly.Her head hurt, her eyes burned, and her heart still felt cracked down the center. The image of Liam with Jessica had haunted her all night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw them—together.She rolled onto her side, staring blankly at the wall. Her chest tightened painfully. Liam had always hurt her—since the first day their parents had married—but this betrayal was different.This one cut deeper.She pulled the blanket tighter around herself, trying to block out the world. But the world didn’t care about her pain. It kept moving. Kept spinning.She had to face it eventually.Slowly, Aurora sat up, pushing the heavy covers away. Her feet touched the cold floor, sending a shiver up her spine. She took a deep breath, stood, and moved toward the bathroom, avoiding the mirror. She didn’t need to see herself to know she looked broken.At school, Aurora slipped quietly into class, keeping her head down. She didn’t glance around, didn’t search t
Chapter 24Aurora stood frozen, staring at the note trembling in her fingers. Her heart hammered against her ribs, each beat louder than the last. Every muscle tightened in fear, her breaths short and shallow.“He’s not the only one watching you.”The words felt like ice crawling beneath her skin. Someone was there, playing games, lurking in shadows. Whoever left these notes knew exactly how to break her down, piece by fragile piece.Aurora quickly closed her bedroom door, leaning her weight against it. She felt exposed, vulnerable, trapped in her own home. Her eyes darted around the room, searching the shadows as if expecting someone to leap out at any second.She forced herself to breathe, counting softly to steady her nerves. The quiet hum of the house mocked her attempts at calmness. Aurora pushed away from the door, moving slowly toward her bed. Sitting carefully, she read the note again, hoping it was just some cruel prank.But deep down, she knew it wasn’t.She tucked the note
Chapter 29Aurora stood alone in a darkened room, faint golden candlelight casting a warm, seductive glow over her skin. She wore nothing but a delicate silk robe, soft fabric brushing gently against her sensitive skin. Her heart quickened as she felt the familiar heat of his presence behind her, his scent rich and intoxicating, wrapping around her senses.Strong hands slowly traced her shoulders, fingertips trailing lightly down her arms, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Aurora sighed softly, eyes fluttering closed as Liam’s breath warmed her neck, lips grazing teasingly along her sensitive skin.“I missed you,” Liam whispered deeply, his voice low and husky, vibrating softly against her ear.His fingers slowly brushed her hair aside, lips placing gentle, tender kisses along her neck and shoulders. Each kiss ignited sparks deep within her, burning brighter with every touch. She tilted her head slightly, giving him greater access, aching silently for more.“Liam,” she breathed qu
Chapter 28Aurora’s heart froze in her chest, her entire body tense as she stared at Edward. His cold eyes shifted between her and Liam, suspicion darkening his expression.“What’s going on here?” Edward repeated, stepping further into the room, his gaze locked onto Liam, full of quiet fury.Aurora’s mind raced, panic gripping her tightly. She quickly forced a smile onto her face, pushing past her fear.“It’s nothing,” Aurora rushed, her voice trembling slightly despite her attempt to sound calm. “We were just…discussing a science project. We’re partners for class.”Edward raised an eyebrow skeptically, clearly unconvinced. He glanced at Liam, whose expression was tight with barely controlled anger. Aurora quickly stepped between them, hoping desperately to ease the tension.“Actually,” Aurora blurted suddenly, heart racing even faster, “I was just telling Liam about Jace. You know, Jace Carter? The Dean’s son?”Edward’s expression changed instantly, suspicion melting into surprised a
Chapter 27Aurora pressed her forehead gently against the cool glass window, watching the rain trail down in thin lines. The soft tapping against the windowpane matched the restless beating of her heart. Outside, the sky was dark, heavy clouds blocking out the sun. The dreary weather felt exactly like her life—dark, suffocating, and hopelessly tangled.It had been days since her mother’s slap, but the memory still burned on her skin, a humiliating reminder of her place in this family. The sting had faded, but the shame hadn’t. Her mother’s disapproving eyes haunted her dreams. Edward’s cold stare and Liam’s carefully guarded expression only deepened her hurt.Liam.Aurora sighed softly, closing her eyes. Every thought inevitably circled back to him. She knew better than to let herself get involved—especially with someone who was supposed to be her brother. But there was something undeniable between them, something forbidden and dangerous that she couldn’t shake no matter how hard she
Chapter 26Aurora opened her eyes to the sound of soft knocking at her door. Her room was still dim, with faint golden sunlight beginning to break through the curtains. Her heart quickened as she sat up, squinting toward the door.“Come in,” she called, voice sleepy but curious.The door opened slowly, revealing Liam standing there, leaning casually against the doorway. His eyes sparkled playfully, but his expression remained guarded. Aurora’s pulse fluttered wildly as she took in his presence, already wide awake.“Morning, princess,” he said softly, his voice rich and low.She pulled the covers higher instinctively, suddenly aware of her messy hair and sleepy eyes. “What are you doing here, Liam?”He stepped into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. His movements were slow, deliberate, full of confidence that made her heart race.“I thought we could take a ride,” he said calmly, tilting his head slightly. “Just you and me.”She hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes
Chapter 24Aurora woke with a scream, her heart racing, tears streaming down her face. Outside, thunder rumbled violently, shaking the walls. The wind howled against the windows, rain slamming down relentlessly. She sat up, gasping for breath, clutching her chest tightly as she tried to separate the nightmare from reality.Her room was dark, shadows flickering with each flash of lightning. She pulled her knees close to her chest, trembling violently, desperate to push away the terrible images still swirling in her mind.The nightmare had been too real. She’d been running, pursued by someone she couldn’t see, a figure hidden in darkness. Every time she turned around, no one was there. Then suddenly hands grabbed her, cold fingers digging painfully into her skin. She’d screamed, but no one heard. No one ever heard.She covered her face, shoulders shaking as sobs escaped uncontrollably. She hated feeling weak, hated feeling helpless—but tonight she couldn’t stop herself.Suddenly, the do
Chapter 24Aurora stood frozen, staring at the note trembling in her fingers. Her heart hammered against her ribs, each beat louder than the last. Every muscle tightened in fear, her breaths short and shallow.“He’s not the only one watching you.”The words felt like ice crawling beneath her skin. Someone was there, playing games, lurking in shadows. Whoever left these notes knew exactly how to break her down, piece by fragile piece.Aurora quickly closed her bedroom door, leaning her weight against it. She felt exposed, vulnerable, trapped in her own home. Her eyes darted around the room, searching the shadows as if expecting someone to leap out at any second.She forced herself to breathe, counting softly to steady her nerves. The quiet hum of the house mocked her attempts at calmness. Aurora pushed away from the door, moving slowly toward her bed. Sitting carefully, she read the note again, hoping it was just some cruel prank.But deep down, she knew it wasn’t.She tucked the note
Chapter 23Aurora opened her eyes slowly.Her head hurt, her eyes burned, and her heart still felt cracked down the center. The image of Liam with Jessica had haunted her all night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw them—together.She rolled onto her side, staring blankly at the wall. Her chest tightened painfully. Liam had always hurt her—since the first day their parents had married—but this betrayal was different.This one cut deeper.She pulled the blanket tighter around herself, trying to block out the world. But the world didn’t care about her pain. It kept moving. Kept spinning.She had to face it eventually.Slowly, Aurora sat up, pushing the heavy covers away. Her feet touched the cold floor, sending a shiver up her spine. She took a deep breath, stood, and moved toward the bathroom, avoiding the mirror. She didn’t need to see herself to know she looked broken.At school, Aurora slipped quietly into class, keeping her head down. She didn’t glance around, didn’t search t
Chapter 22Aurora couldn’t sleep.The silence in the house was heavy, pressing on her chest like a weight.Moonlight streamed through her window, casting soft silver shadows across the floor. She slipped out of bed, wrapped in her white satin nightgown. It brushed gently against her skin with every step. Her ballet slippers waited by the door, just where she’d left them—quiet, delicate, hers.She needed to move. To breathe.To escape her thoughts.The hallway was dimly lit. Quiet.She tiptoed across the wooden floors, the air cool against her bare arms. Her feet moved instinctively, muscle memory guiding her into graceful turns, slow stretches, delicate steps that made no sound. She closed her eyes, letting the rhythm flow through her body. Her gown floated with her movements, soft and flowing, like a second skin.This was peace.This was the only place where she still felt like herself.Until she heard it.A low sound.A soft moan.Aurora froze mid-spin, one leg extended, arms lifted
Chapter 21Aurora woke up with the taste of yesterday still on her lips. The kiss. The stare. The note.Her head pounded with questions. Why had she kissed Jace? Why had Liam shown up? And who kept leaving those haunting notes?She sat up slowly, pulling her blanket around her shoulders. She should have felt guilty. But she didn’t. She just felt… confused. And tired. So damn tired of being the one who always got hurt.By the time she got to school, her heart was still racing.She had just opened her locker when a voice came from behind her.“Didn’t think you’d actually show up after that grand exit.”Aurora turned. Jace Carter stood there, hands in his pockets, a boyish grin on his face.“You okay?” he asked, stepping closer. “You kinda ghosted me last night.”Aurora gave a small smile. “Sorry. A lot happened.”Jace leaned against the locker beside hers. “Wanna skip lunch? Go grab coffee? You look like you need something stronger than cafeteria pizza.”She hesitated—but then nodded. “