Aurora's POV. Chapter 29. 'Bella 'Vita.'Ugh, this is it. I can't stand it anymore. Another day, another round of whispers and pointed looks whenever they see me. It's like living in a damn echo chamber of his mistakes, mistakes I'M paying for. I was just about to peel off this stupid dress and try to find some peace, maybe even take a long, hot shower and pretend, for just an hour, that I wasn't trapped here...Then, the knock."Mrs. Hawthorne?" Luke's voice. Great. Just what I needed.I ignored it, hoping he'd go away. Maybe he'd think I was asleep."Mrs. Hawthorne..." He called again, louder this time.Damn it! I yanked the door open, holding it mostly closed so he wouldn’t get an eyeful. I swear, this family… Luke stood there, his face as stony as always. He never smiles; him and Luther are two peas in a pod, grim reapers of good times. And about as loyal. You could try to pry information about Luther out of him. Might as well try to move a mountain with a spoon."Yes?" I said,
Chapter 1."Aurora!""Not again!", I thought, clenching my jaw. Ruby. I heard her voice, but I couldn't bring myself to answer. I was too busy inspecting my new dress in the mirror. It was perfect. I'd ordered it specifically for tonight with Richard. It wasn't our first date, but this one…this one felt different."Aurora, where the hell are you? Open the goddamn door!"Okay, now that snapped me out of it. What was with Ruby's tone? Annoyance flared in my chest. Seriously, what was her problem?My reflection hardened. Why the venom this time? Ever since Dad threw Mom out for Lydia, Ruby's mother, just for the money, this house had felt like a warzone. Hatred radiated in my direction constantly.Before I could even gather my thoughts, the door swung open, practically hitting the wall. Ruby stood there, her face a storm cloud. Like I'd personally ruined her day again."Didn’t you hear me calling? Why the hell did you ignore me?" she demanded.I opened my mouth to explain, but she cut me
Chapter 2.Aurora's POV. The door stood open just a crack, as if someone wanted it that way. That's when I could hear Richard's soft moans more louder... There he was, bare, kneeling on the bed, with a woman also naked, down on all fours in front of him, her back turned toward him... Her rear end was pressed up against him, and his C**k was deep inside her, feeling every inch. One hand gripped her hair, pulling her closer, while the other slid around her waist, driving into her with urgency... It felt like someone shot me in the heart. I was shaking, rage brewing inside me. My sight started to blur as I took in this betrayal... I still hadn't seen the woman's face yet. And just then, I heard Richard moan... again."Oh Fuck, fuck... shit... you're so wet and sweet Ru" He groaned as he thrust against her backside. Ru? Hearing that name sent chills down my spine. My hand trembled as I pushed the door open a crack more. A sliver of light revealed the nightmare within. My head swam.
Chapter 3.Aurora's POV. Still in his arms, I felt…small. He was solid, his chest broad against me, and even through the shirt, I could feel the strength in his arms. Before I could think, the words slipped out, barely a whisper."Will you fuck me?" I muttered into his ear.That's when my hand bumped into something. It wasn't skin. Cold, smooth…metal. I glanced down, and my stomach dropped. A wheelchair. I looked up at his face. God, he really was handsome. Strong jaw, dark hair curling back...Oh my god. I hadn’t even checked before I’d opened my mouth. I was in shock. I just wanted this to workHe seemed to sense my sudden shift, the embarrassment radiating off me. His grip tightened for a second, and he leaned closer, his breath warm on my ear."If you…satisfy me," he rasped, his voice low and husky, "I'll pay you well."I looked into his eyes. They were intense, serious. It wasn't really about the money, It was about…desperation. Escape."Yes," I blurted out before I could overt
Chapter 4.Aurora's POV."Honey, our company is going down. Investors are withdrawing. We have to get the Hawthorne's involved." Lydia's voice was sharp, laced with panic.Hawthorne? That name hit me like a cold slap. Isn't that Richard's name? His surname. He isn't old so... who else is in their family that I would marry? Suddenly, Ruby, strutted into the room, her voice dripping with mock offense, "I mean, I can't marry any old man! I'm too young and classy for that. Aurora should! She's older than I am, after all.""Young and classy," I muttered under my breath. I bit my tongue, hard. After all, she'd stolen my boyfriend right under my nose. These people had a way of pushing you until you broke. Ever since Mum died, leaving me with Dad, and Lydia came in, birthing Ruby… everything changed. My life has never been the same. But, I'll do whatever it takes to get out of their grasp..... I'll marry whoever they want. And I will have my revenge. They took away my pride, made me feel
Aurora's POV, 5."I want revenge!" The words cracked as I forced them out, my breath hitching in my throat. "I want my family to pay for taking away everything..."A sob threatened to bubble up, the raw pain a physical thing. I scrubbed at my eyes, desperate to keep the tears at bay. Not now. Not here. Then, I pull up my wedding gown a little and practically ran towards him. My legs trembled, each step a battle against my own fear.I knelt, the rough carpet digging into my knees. I placed my hands on his broad thighs, the fabric of his expensive suit.Yes. This was it. My only way. Using his power, his connections… his wealth. For my own selfish reasons, absolutely.Suddenly, he cupped my jaw in his hand, the touch surprisingly gentle. He tilted my head up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes… they were intense, searching.I could feel fear tightening in my belly, the kind that's deep and utterly primal.This… this was the first time I'd truly seen a man's eyes, looked into them thi
Aurora's POV, 6. Pawn In His Game.I woke up to someone calling and knocking on the door, sounding both polite and a bit pushy. My heart started racing, and panic kicked in, shaking off the sleepiness.“Mrs. Hawthorne?”The knock echoed in my mind. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. Just a few more minutes, I told myself, letting the warmth of the bed lure me back.“Mrs. Hawthorne? May I come in, ma’am?”That voice again. Oh my God, it’s me! I jumped out of bed, the realization hitting me like a splash of cold water. I had just married Luther, and I was now a Hawthorne. It felt surreal—like a dream I hadn’t fully woken up from.But wait. I can’t stay married to him. Revenge first, then divorce. That thought was a spark in the chaos of my mind.“Mrs. Hawt—”Before the voice could finish, I called out, “I’m coming! I’m coming!” I quickly reached for the blanket, pulling it around me as I sat back on the bed, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. “You can co
Chapter 7. Aurora's pov. A Night Of Abandonment."Brother, she's not the one in the picture!" The shout cut through the air. I watched, bewildered, as the woman strode purposefully towards Luther."What do you mean, Maya?" Luther's voice was rough, strained. I could sense the tension radiating from him.My heart began to pound in my chest. I didn't understand what was happening. One moment I was being presented as a bride, the next… this."She's their unwanted child. The unwanted daughter of the Duttman family!" Maya spat the words out, her finger jabbing in my direction."Unwanted?" The word escaped my lips, a shaky whisper. It felt like a punch to the gut. Unwanted? Was that really what I was?Suddenly, Luther wheeled himself directly in front of me. He was looking at my face… really looking at me, for what felt like the very first time since we married. My cheeks burned, and I instinctively looked away."Look at me!" His voice was sharp, edged with anger.Without hesitation, I
Aurora's POV. Chapter 29. 'Bella 'Vita.'Ugh, this is it. I can't stand it anymore. Another day, another round of whispers and pointed looks whenever they see me. It's like living in a damn echo chamber of his mistakes, mistakes I'M paying for. I was just about to peel off this stupid dress and try to find some peace, maybe even take a long, hot shower and pretend, for just an hour, that I wasn't trapped here...Then, the knock."Mrs. Hawthorne?" Luke's voice. Great. Just what I needed.I ignored it, hoping he'd go away. Maybe he'd think I was asleep."Mrs. Hawthorne..." He called again, louder this time.Damn it! I yanked the door open, holding it mostly closed so he wouldn’t get an eyeful. I swear, this family… Luke stood there, his face as stony as always. He never smiles; him and Luther are two peas in a pod, grim reapers of good times. And about as loyal. You could try to pry information about Luther out of him. Might as well try to move a mountain with a spoon."Yes?" I said,
Aurora's POV. 28. Family drama.My breath hitched as Richard exploded. "Luther, why are you coming at me with a question like that?" He practically charged across the room, his face contorted."Are you suddenly trying to track my every move? Figure out where I'm always going?" Richard's anger was evident. I could feel the tension radiating off him, thick enough to cut with a knife.Luther's voice, when he finally spoke, was dangerously calm, sharp as shattered glass. "I need to know. And I don't know why you're yelling over a simple question! Or did you do something wrong this time? Because every time you mess up, someone is always cleaning up your ass!"Richard's jaw tightened. "Luther, I don't owe you any explanation for what I'm doing or not doing." He paused, a calculating glint in his eye. "Fine! Since you're now playing the father figure routine, I assume you'll do whatever I ask, right?"I watched Luther, his face now a furious red. His fists were clenched so tight his
Aurora's POV. 27. Aurora's Guilt. "Richard..." I stammered, the word barely escaping my lips. His breath was hot against my face, a tangled mess with mine. My back pressed harder against the cold wall.He tightened his hold, pinning my wrists above my head. "I know you want me, Aurora. Tell me, is Luther satisfying you? Is he not doing his job properly? Is he not fucking you hard enough? No damn way that crippled loser could ever give you the pleasure you deserve!" A cruel smirk twisted his lips."Damn it, Aurora! Just let me have you! I want to fuck you so badly! I need to taste you already! I've been craving this for far too long.." He growled, his eyelids nearly closed in a haze of lust.He lowered his head, his lips ghosting along my neck, sending shivers down my spine. My eyes squeezed shut. God. Damn it. My body was betraying me. A heat bloomed between my legs, a shameful yearning bubbling up.Then, the first bite. A sharp, exquisite pain on my neck that made me gasp.
Aurora's POV. 26. A Night of Temptation. I eased myself up from the bed, slow and quiet. Each movement was deliberate, trying not to make a single creak that might rouse Luther. The last thing I needed was him awake and asking questions. Questions I definitely wasn't planning on answering truthfully. How could I possibly tell him I was sneaking out to meet Richard? Richard, his own brother, his enemy. No way.I was practically tiptoeing as I made my way to the closet. My heart was pounding in my chest, a nervous little drum solo. I grabbed a simple gown. Something that covered the basics, but still... well, it couldn't completely hide my figure, not in this material. Hopefully, Richard wouldn't be paying attention to that anyway.I slipped out of the room, holding my breath. The mansion was silent. Relief washed over me. Mother-in-law and Maya must be asleep. Even the maids were tucked away. Good. One less obstacle.Reaching the main gate, I expected to see the security guards
Aurora's POV. 25. The Devils Playground.I stood there, the words jumbled in my head like a bad song. I needed to explain, but the fear of making him angry was a heavy weight in my chest."Uh... Luther... the money..." I stammered, hating how weak I sounded. "The money I asked for... I wanted to use it to get my family's company back. So I went to Marcus, he said he could help with his... influence. I didn't know he was..."He cut me off, his voice sharp and hard. "Why? Whatever you need is right here in this mansion! Do you want to start working? Seriously?" The anger was in his voice, a low growl that made me want to shrink."Luther," I said, my voice rising despite my best efforts, "the company is in my name. It belonged to my mother. My father ruined it, and he rushed to marry Lydia because of her connections." I hadn't meant to yell, but the words burst out, raw and desperate. The thought of Dad and Lydia made my blood boil. I never even dared to raise my voice at Luther normal
Luther's POV. 24. Tied To His Whim.The shower was still running, water drumming against us. My hand was already exploring her, and the other was on my own cock. It was hard, throbbing, ready. I wanted her now.I yanked her up, shut off the water. The cold tile hit her skin. I bent her over, her ass pressed against me, Aurora's hands flat against the wall. I felt this sudden urge hit me - a need to slap her ass.I didn't hesitate.SMACK."Aaahhh!" She screamed, loud.I did it again. SMACK. Harder.Her screams were getting louder, a mix of pain and something else... something that turned me on."Luther, come on, just fuck me now... please..." It was a desperate cry, a moan.Her words... they hit something in me. I lifted her hips a little, and then I was inside her. I thrust, hard and rough, pounding into her pussy. I felt her legs start to tremble.Whimpers escaped her.I was close. Too fucking close. It all rushed at me, and I exploded inside her, way too fast. Damn it.I turned h
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
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
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