Luther's POV. 16. The Dark Side of Desire."Come on," I growled, yanking her up from the table. Before she could react, I had her pinned. My hand tightened, not enough to crush, but enough to let her know I was in control. A possessive anger throbbed in my gut.Then I was kissing her. Her damned lips were soft, softer than anything she deserved. A dangerous kind of soft that made me want to ruin them, bite them, claim them as mine.She actually kissed back, a flicker of defiance in her eyes and it ignited something rough and demanding inside me. I slipped my tongue into her mouth, tasting her, invading. My fingers tightened on her throat, just a little."Mmm... mmm..." she mumbled, trying to pull away. Not a chance. I pressed my hand harder against the back of her neck, forcing her lips back onto mine. She choked, a tiny, desperate sound.I released her, dropping her to her knees. My hands were shaking slightly, a mix of fury and something else I didn't want to name. I fumbled wit
Aurora's POV. 17. Price to pay for desire. "Luther... it's money that I want" My voice was shaky, barely a whisper.It was as if the words turned to dust on my tongue..He was still gripping the bathroom door handle, back to me. I couldn't read him. Would he even consider it? My heart hammered against my ribs. This whole plan felt flimsy, desperate.He finally turned, his voice was rough, demanding. "How much?"I rushed it out, before I could chicken out. "One hundred million." My voice sounded too sharp, too greedy. I tried to sound confident, but I was anything but.His eyebrows furrowed. "One hundred what?"He let go of the door and turned to face me fully. A wave of heat washed over me, but it was mixed with dread.One hundred million... it was a ridiculous amount. But he had it. He was worth more than that. And I was his wife, wasn't I? Shouldn't that count for something? But god, who was I kidding? He didn't love me. Who was I to ask for anything? I was just a pawn in his gam
Aurora's POV. 18. The Family Feud.My stomach was already churning before the food even arrived. Every meal felt like a battle fought on a plate."Here ma'am, your food," the maid said, her voice devoid of warmth as she placed it on the table. I tried to block out Maya's presence, pretending not to notice her spiteful glances."Mum, can you believe we have to share the same dining table with this little slut?" Maya sneered, turning to her mother who rewarded her with a cruel, knowing smile.I bowed my head, focusing on the food, trying to ignore the venomous words. I was so tired, bone-weary.Whose fault is that? I thought bitterly. Luther's. That's who. Luther, pretending to be crippled, draining the life out of me, little by little.I lifted a spoon to my mouth, but before I could taste a bite, Maya slammed it away, sending my plate crashing to the floor.My breath hitched. "You really shouldn't be here!" she exclaimed angrily. "Go find somewhere else to have your meal. It's bad e
Aurora's POV. 19. The Devil's Den.The man's words were like a physical barrier, making me spin around. He was enormous. Towering over me, muscles bulging. No shirt; just dark trousers, a bit torn pulled tight with a belt. His skin was covered in tattoos, a roadmap of his life. His face was a mess of scars, like someone had taken a knife to him repeatedly . It made my breath hitch."Please," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. "I... I'm looking for Marcus.""Why?" He barked, his voice rough as sandpaper. Not a hint of warmth softened his features. "Do you have an appointment? And who the hell are you?""Um..." Damn it! My stomach clenched, fear tightening its grip. "I... I have business to discuss with him. Please, just take me to him." I managed to force the words out, desperately clinging to the last shreds of my courage."Follow me." It wasn’t a request, it was a command.He led me to a small, door. I never would have noticed it. The shadows swallowed me whole as we stepped
Aurora's POV. 20. Bloodshed.My head was throbbing, the rope biting into my wrists. "Boss Luther? You're here—" Marcus started, but the words died in his throat.A sickening sound ripped through the room as Luther moved with terrifying speed. A thud, a choked scream... Marcus slammed against the floor."Luther," I managed, my voice a weak rasp. The energy had been completely sucked out of me."Luke, untie her," Luther commanded, his voice dangerously low. He didn't even glance my way. It was jarring. Where was his wheelchair? He always used his wheelchair.Luther's attention was solely on Marcus, and the air crackled with his fury. "How dare you lay a hand on my wife?" he growled, each word a guttural threat. "Tell me, who gave you the right to do that?!" He punctuated his rage with a brutal kick to Marcus's stomach."Ahhhh...! Fuck!" Marcus shrieked, clutching his abdomen. "Boss, I didn't know she was your wife! Let alone a Hawthorne! She was the one who came to me, proposing a b
Aurora's POV. 21. Game Of Survival."You are a stubborn little girl," Luther's voice was a gravelly growl as he shoved me into the car. "Take us outta here, Luke!" he barked.The car lurched forward, Luke expertly navigating the road straight to... the Hawthornes' mansion. I saw Luther's hard gaze reflected in the rearview mirror, and Luke seemed to get the message instantly.Luke got out, unfolded Luther's wheelchair, and helped him into it. A wave of nausea rolled over me. This whole act, this pretense. What was he playing at? Did he have enemies too? How could someone so ruthless, capable of... I squeezed my eyes shut, the image of him killing that man flashing in my mind. How could I still be married to him? What sane person would stay?I hadn't moved from the car. Luther always noticed everything, every tiny detail. It was like he had a sixth sense. Perfect vision, perfect hearing... a perfectly monstrous heart."Aurora!" His voice, cold and sharp, cut through the air.I heard
Richard's POV. 22. Bitter Rivalry.My fists clenched so tight, my knuckles turned white. Luther. Just the name tasted like bile in my mouth. The way he carries himself, like he's untouchable, some damn god walking among us. It's irritating. I slammed my fist against the table, the impact sending a ripple of pain up my arm, but it barely registered."Richard, stop this nonsense!" My mother's voice, sharp and disapproving, cut through my rage. "Anger won't get you what you want!"I rounded on her, my chest heaving. "Oh, is that right, Mother? Then what will, huh? What will get me even a sliver of what that damn bastard has?"Her eyes narrowed, focusing on the shattered remains of her favorite vase, a delicate porcelain thing that now lay in fragments on the Persian rug. "You even had to smash my beautiful flower vase… what the fuck is wrong with you?""Mum!" The word tore from my throat, a strangled mix of pain and resentment. I kicked a shard of porcelain across, the sharp sound ec
Luther's POV. 23. Control And Desire. I stood up from my damn wheelchair, the movement still stiff and painful, as we entered the room."Come here," I commanded, the word rough.Aurora, who was rushing towards the bathroom to wash off the blood and dirt, stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around slowly. Her dress was torn a little, and her face was pale."Yes?" she answered, the word laced with anger and maybe a little fear. She was probably still pissed about what happened.But what the hell did she expect? I gunned someone down. It's not like it was the first time. She needs to deal with it. I won’t change, not for anyone. Especially not for some woman.But Aurora… she's starting to make me feel. A dangerous feeling. One I'm not ready for. Emotions are a weakness, and I'm a monster, a ruthless killer. I won't let her do that to me."You called me, Luther?" she interrupted my dark thoughts. Her voice held a strange mix of anger and forced calm.I couldn't speak for a moment. I
Aurora's POV. Aurora Is Pregnant!I stood frozen, my heart thudding in my chest, eyes locked on Mia as she stumbled toward the exit with mother guiding her like a disgraced dog being dragged out the house.It should’ve felt like a victory. It didn’t.My fingers gripped the edge of the couch, knuckles white. My breath wasn't stable. The silence in the room wasn’t peaceful—it was dangerous. Sharp. Like walking barefoot on broken glass.I watched them walk… one step… two steps…And then something inside me snapped.“Stop!”My voice came out lower than I expected—firm, deadly calm.They both stopped immediately, right at the middle of the hallway, inches away from the front door.Mother turned her head halfway, not fully, just enough to let me know she heard me but didn’t think I was worth turning around for.I rose slowly, arms folded over my chest. My heels clicked against the floor as I walked toward them. I wasn’t rushing. No. This moment needed to be felt.I moved like a ticking tim
Aurora's POV. Unmasking The Truth!I leaned by the wall in the sitting room, sipping from the same bottle Mia had knocked out of my hand earlier. My lips still tingled from the cold water. My fingers wrapped tighter around the bottle as I scrolled through my phone. I chuckled at a meme. Not because it was that funny, but because I wanted to. Because my laugh, like my hum, was mine to control.I started humming again. Not sweet. Not soft. Just loud enough to cut through the silence.That’s when I heard the heavy footsteps of Luther.He came downstairs, files in his hand—the ones he had demanded from Luke earlier. His presence was heavy, like always. The way the floorboards responded to him, the way the air shifted—."Where's Mia?" he barked.I didn’t answer.I didn’t flinch.I wasn’t going to show him where to find her. Not because of how she tried to humiliate me. Not after she touched me. Because I wasn't ready to speak to him yet. I stayed leaning, kept sipping, kept scrolling.
Aurora's POV. I saw luke coming towards me. Definitely he didn't come to see me. He'd be heading towards Luther's Private room.I knew he was hiding something the moment I saw the folder.He was always too clean, too sharp, too... disciplined. Every time he came into the estate, it was always on strict business. No lingering. No chatter. Just yes ma’am, no ma’am.But today?Today, his hands were clenched around a thick brown file like it held the goddamn truth of the universe.And he didn’t expect to find me standing in the hallway.Our eyes locked. Brief. Intense. His expression shifted in less than a second, like he was trying to tuck away whatever he wasn’t ready to share."Going somewhere?" I asked smoothly, stepping away from the wall I’d been leaning against.Luke adjusted his collar. “Just here to see the boss.”My eyes dropped to the file in his hand. "What's in the file?"He didn't answer.I smiled, but there was no humor in it. “Let me guess. Evidence? Information? Somethin
Luther's POV. Filth and Fire. The night felt like a noose tightening around my neck.I couldn't sleep.Not because I believed Aurora and Not because I believed Mia either.But because something was fucking off.My steps were slow as I pushed Mia’s door open without knocking. She sat at her vanity, brushing her hair like she was waiting for me. Like she already knew I’d come.Her eyes met mine in the mirror. “Couldn’t sleep?”I didn’t answer.I stepped in, shutting the door behind me.She turned on the stool, legs crossed, lips curled.“Let me guess,” she said softly, “Aurora’s little tantrum got to you.”“Mia,” I said calmly, standing by the wall. “I need the truth.”Her smile barely wavered. “I told you the truth.”I stepped forward, stopping just a few feet from her. “Don’t waste my time.”She stood now, slowly, like she was performing for me. Her robe slid down her shoulder just enough to expose the curve of her breast. She walked closer, hips swaying, voice dropping.“Luther… do
Aurora's POV. Mia's Manipulation. (The Game Turned!)I didn’t plan to make a scene. But I couldn't let this go.Not anymore.I stood firm in the middle of Mia’s room, facing them both, my chest heaving. My voice came out sharp, cutting the thick air between us.“So all this time, you were faking it? You’ve been lying to Luther. To everyone. There is no baby.”Mia’s face twisted, caught between panic and rage.“You heard that?” Richard muttered behind her, like he couldn’t believe it either.“Oh, I heard every damn word,” I snapped.My fists clenched at my sides. My head spun but I forced my voice to stay strong. “I think it’s time the rest of the family heard it too.”“No!” Mia barked, lunging again, but I was already backing away toward the door.I turned and stormed down the hallway, then the stairs. My voice echoed through the Hawthorne mansion like thunder.“Everyone, come down here! Now!”I didn’t care anymore.Maya was the first to appear from the right hallway, heels clicking
Aurora's POV. Luther slowly pulled the kitchen door open, and there stood Richard—with an empty plate in hand and that same smug look dancing on his lips.“This place reeks of sex,” he muttered, stepping in like he owned the house. “And sex… damn.”My heart skipped. I adjusted Luther’s shirt around me, pulling the sides closer, but Richard’s eyes were already all over me.“And… um, Aurora,” Richard added with a sly smirk, “I didn’t know you looked this sexy when… undressed. I mean, look at you. In Luther’s shirt. And nothing else, huh?”Before I could even blink, the door slammed behind him.Luther.His face was unreadable—jaw tight, fists buried deep into his pockets, eyes locked on his brother like he was trying to keep from pouncing.“No offense, brother,” Richard said, as if daring him. “Just admiring the creation. After all, she put it on so all can see.”“Speak again,” Luther said, his voice low, controlled, dangerous. “Say one more fucking thing… and I swear to God, I’ll cut o
Aurora's POV. Eat Me Up, Fuck! “I want to fucking eat you, Aurora,” he said, his lips brushing my ear. “Here. Now. Hard.” I swallowed hard, my hands gripping the edge of the counter tighter. His touch was slow, teasing, but filled with fire. He pressed closer, the heat of his body swallowing me whole. I gasped, caught between the madness and the need. My legs tensed, heat spreading through me as his hands trailed my body with purpose. My voice was barely a whisper. “Luther…” He didn’t give me a chance to say more. All I knew was his hands, his mouth, his body—claiming me in a space that made my knees weak and my mind forget everything but him. His breath was hot against my neck as he bent down—Now on his knees, gripping my thighs with both hands. Suddenly, he lifted my legs and placed them on his shoulders, his face now buried between my thighs. I tilted back, my hands spreading out on the cold counter behind me for support, my chest rising and falling fast. “Luther... damn..
Aurora's POV. Suddenly, Luther walked in, tall, commanding, fresh from a call, his shirt a little unbuttoned and that cool shadow of danger resting on his face like always. I followed him straight into the dining room, too nervous to even breathe properly. My hands were shaking slightly as I placed the plate down in front of him. This was it. My first damn attempt at making breakfast for him. My first time ever holding a pan in this godforsaken house. And despite the insults, the sabotage, the mockery—I did it. Or so I thought. Luther sat down, glancing at the food once, then at me. His brows lifted slightly. "You cooked this?" I nodded, trying not to fidget. "Like you said...” A beat passed before he picked up the cutlery and took the first bite. I waited. His jaw stopped moving. Then it tightened. He swallowed hard—and not in a good way. His eyes lifted slowly, sharply locking onto mine. “What the fuck is this?” My stomach dropped. “What?” He picked up the fork agai
Aurora's POV. The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I regretted it.Not because of the chores I knew I was being forced into, or the fact that I hadn’t even touched a pan since Luther dragged me into his hellish palace. No. I regretted it because of the woman standing by the counter, arms folded, lips curled in that permanent sneer of disapproval.Mother in-law.She didn’t say anything at first. Just watched me—head to toe—as if the very sight of me gave her indigestion. Her gaze locked on the shirt I wore, Luther’s shirt, barely buttoned up to my thighs. I hadn’t bothered to change. Why should I? If Luther didn’t mind seeing me like this, why should she?But mother was already biting down on the opportunity. I could see it in her face.“What an entrance,” she said finally, her voice sharp as broken glass. “You parade around in my Luther's clothes like some... desperate whore in heat.”I stopped in front of the sink, refusing to look at her just yet. “Good morning to you too, Mother