Aurora's POV. Chapter 39.. The Hawthorne family war.The clinking of cutlery filled the silence, but tension wrapped around the dining table like a noose. I kept my eyes on my plate, pushing my food around, knowing that any second now, the storm would hit.Then it did."I'm sure you actually thought the best way to get to me was bringing Mia back into this house." Luther's voice was sharp, slicing through the uneasy quiet.I lifted my gaze just in time to see Richard smirk, dabbing his mouth with a napkin like he had all the patience in the world. "What do you mean I brought Mia?" His tone was light, but his eyes glinted with amusement. "Your ex is back because she’s pregnant, and the father of her child deserves to know about it. That’s why she’s here. Stop pinning everything on me."Luther's grip on his fork tightened. "The problem with you is that you’re always scheming. Always trying to take what’s mine. Seriously, do you get all miserable just because I finally found a reaso
Aurora's POV. Chapter 40.Sinful Bargain. "You told me to come over, that you wanted to say something to me about Mia," I said, my arms folded as I stood in the doorway of Richard's dimly lit bedroom. "So be quick."Richard sat on the edge of his bed, one leg crossed over the other, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his toned chest. His lips curled into that damn smirk—the one that always made my stomach tighten against my will."Close the door, Aurora," he said smoothly.I didn’t move. "Say what you have to say, Richard."He sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. "Always in a rush," he murmured. "Fine. Here’s the deal—Mia’s child. You want to know the truth, don’t you?"My fingers curled at my sides. "What truth?"Richard leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "The truth about who the father really is. The real reason she’s here." His gaze locked onto mine. "But I don’t just hand out truths for free."I stiffened. "What do you want?"His
Aurora’s POV. 40. Punishment In The Bathroom.I barely had time to breathe before Luther’s rough hands gripped my wrists, yanking me closer. His dark eyes burned with fury, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might snap."You think you can walk into my brother’s room and leave untouched?" His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "You think I wouldn’t notice?"I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Luther, I—""Shut the fuck up."He grabbed me by the waist, lifting me onto the cold bathroom counter. My breath hitched as the mirror behind me reflected the raw hunger in his eyes."You need to be punished," he rasped. "Every fucking time he looks at you, every time he comes near you, you'll remember who you fucking belong to."His fingers tore at my clothes, ripping my shirt open. My breasts spilled free, my nipples instantly hardening from the cold air and his heated gaze."You let him touch you?" Luther’s voice was pure steel as his large hand wrapped around my throat,
Aurora's POV. As night came too soon.. pain was the first thing I felt when I woke up. My whole body ached, a brutal reminder of last night with Luther. The room was dark, and his heavy scent clung to everything. He was still asleep beside me, his breathing deep and even.I swallowed, my throat scratchy. I really needed some water.Carefully, I pushed myself up, biting back a groan. My legs felt shaky, and my skin was overly sensitive. The glass on the bedside table was empty.Ugh, fine. Just a quick trip downstairs.The mansion was silent as I made my way to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. But as I turned around -Someone was standing right next to me.I gasped, nearly dropping the bottle. "What the hell, Richard?" My heart was pounding.He smirked, that damn smirk. "Forgot you don't like surprises."I let out a sharp breath, clutching my chest. "Are you insane? You scared the crap out of me!"Richard leaned against the counter, his eyes raking over
Aurora's POV. Chapter 42. A Dangerous Confrontation..Luther’s thumb pressed down on my tongue, forcing my mouth open wider. His gaze burned into me, dark and unclear."Show me how sorry you are, Aurora," he murmured, his voice slow, dangerous.Heat pooled low in my belly, but my body tensed, my mind fighting against the way he controlled me so easily. I hated how he could make me tremble with a single touch, how he owned every inch of me.His fingers trailed down my face, his thumb sliding out of my mouth, all wet. He clicked his tongue. "Still hesitating?"I swallowed, my knees pressing into the cold floor. My body ached, still sore from the brutal way he'd taken me last night. Yet, Luther wasn’t the kind of man who cared about exhaustion or hesitation. He wanted submission.He leaned forward, his fingers twisting into my hair. A sharp tug. My head snapped back."Open wider," he ordered.His smirk deepened as he unbuckled his belt slowly, the sound filling the silence. My heart po
Aurora's POV. Luther went rigid, his grip on my chin tightening. "What the fuck did you just say?"I hesitated, my body stiffening. His other hand suddenly gripped the back of my neck, pulling me closer. "Say it properly," he ordered, his tone dangerously low.My lips trembled. I felt completely exposed, raw, vulnerable. "I..." My voice cracked.Luther's eyes darkened, his patience thinning. "Aurora."I sucked in a sharp breath, my hands fisting against his chest. "I...I love you." The words barely left my lips before I squeezed my eyes shut, as if that could somehow erase them.A thick silence filled the air. My body was still, my heart hammering against my ribs. Then suddenly he laughed, a short, harsh, humorless sound. His hands suddenly left me, and before I could process it, his grip on my waist vanished.I barely had a second to react before he shoved me off him. I gasped as I hit the cold floor, my bare skin stinging from the impact. My head snapped up, my breath caught in my
Aurora's POV. "And why?" Luther’s voice was sharp and Cold. I clenched my hands. “I need money to get some things for myself.” My voice was heavy, controlled. I couldn’t let him sense my true intentions.His eyes narrowed. “For what again?”“I need to step out for a little while.” I forced my voice to sound casual. “I need to see a friend.”Luther stilled. Then he let out a slow, dark chuckle. “See a friend?” His tone was mocking. “Since when did you start seeing a friends?”My stomach twisted, but I held my ground. “I don’t understand. Can’t I go out anymore? I’m your wife, Luther, not a slave.”His jaw ticked. “A wife,” he repeated slowly, his tone dangerous. “A wife who must follow everything I want.”My heart pounded, but I refused to back down. “You can’t stop me from going out.”Luther leaned back, his arms resting on the table as he stared at me with dark amusement. “really?”“Really.” I swallowed hard, my nails digging into my palms. “I need to see my friend. It’s important
Aurora's POV. "You're a motherfucking bastard!"I shoved at his chest, my hands slamming against Luther's rock-hard muscle. My voice cracked, raw with a rage that felt like it was tearing me apart. "I am not your fucking slave, Luther!"He didn't even flinch. Didn't move a muscle. It was like hitting a brick wall.I hit him again, harder this time. Pain shot up my arm, but I didn't care. "I should be allowed to have a life! To make my own choices! To go out on my own fucking terms!" The words tumbled out, fueled by months, years, of simmering resentment.Luther just stood there. Unyielding. His cold, dark eyes burned into mine, an intensity that made my stomach drop and a shiver crawl down my spine despite the anger boiling inside. It felt… possessive.I tried to shove him again, desperate to create some distance, but this time he was ready. His hands caught mine, his grip like steel.Before I could even open my mouth to scream, his lips crashed onto mine.It wasn't a kiss. It was a
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