Five years later...Aurora felt every heartbeat quicken as the contractions intensified. Her breath was deep and irregular, and her hand was firmly clasped in her husband Tristan's, who remained by her side, providing strength and support. The delivery room was immersed in a silence heavy with anxiety and anticipation.The soft candlelight spread throughout the room, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere. The scent of lavender hung in the air, mixed with the electric tension that enveloped the couple. The walls were lined with white tiles, reflecting the serenity of the moment that was about to unfold.The obstetrician, Rose, moved with a comforting calmness as she prepared for the baby's arrival. She smiled, instilling confidence in Aurora, whose eyes welled up with tears. Aurora knew that she would soon cradle the fruit of her love with Tristan in her arms.The contractions now came with an almost rhythmic regularity, causing Aurora to focus even more on her breathing. She took de
Six years later...Tristan, Aurora, and Adelaide now formed a close-knit family, brimming with love and joy. The room with the world map wallpaper looked a bit different, adorned with soft colors and children's toys, reflecting the happiness that had filled that space. However, the image of the map still adorned the wall because the little girl had a deep fondness for that decoration.Adelaide, now six years old, lay on the bed with her Corgi dog, Toby, by her side. She was engrossed in a book of pony stories, her latest passion. Tristan approached and gently stroked his daughter's red hair as she read."Still in love with ponies, my dear?" he asked with a smile.Adelaide nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Daddy! They're so cute and magical!"Tristan smiled, reminiscing about the time she used to call him 'pony.' "Maybe one day, when you grow a bit more, you can ride a real one."Adelaide's eyes lit up at the idea. "That would be amazing, Daddy!"Meanwhile, Aurora stood in the doorway, wa
"I'm sorry, but we don't have any vacancies for you at the moment, but please leave your number, and we'll get in touch if anything comes up," Aurora forced a friendly smile at the woman, but deep down, she wanted to beg for a job for that unknown woman. However, her pride was stronger.She stood up and left the clothing store, walking towards the train station. It was the seventh "no" she had received that day. She had spent the Saturday afternoon looking for a job but wasn't accepted anywhere. They all said they might contact her, but they never did. Luck was definitely not on her side.She had given up on searching for well-paying jobs. Not that she lacked the skills, considering she had numerous courses on her resume and could fluently speak three languages. But in her current situation, anything would be a blessing. She would even accept a job as a street sweeper.As she entered the train, she hurried towards the seats and managed to claim one. "At least I accomplished that," she
Aurora had still drunk a few glasses of champagne hidden that night. By the end of the party, when only the staff and the mansion owners remained to clean up, the young woman was in a deplorable state; she was very drunk.She changed her clothes and now wore a simple dress, with her worn-out purse on her shoulder. She approached Adelaide, who was collecting some dirty glasses from the counter."I'm heading out now," Aurora said with a smile. It was the effect of the alcohol, but she tried her best not to show it to Adelaide. She wanted to leave the mansion instead of waiting for her sister and having to help her clean up."Are you sure you can make it home alone?" Adelaide was a little taken aback by her sister's condition. "I think it's better if you wait for me to finish up so we can leave together.""No need!" Aurora stumbled over her words. "I can manage on my own." She took a few steps away from Adelaide and ended up tripping over her own feet. She would have fallen flat on the g
After a week, the doctor whom Aurora and her sister found very attractive, Griffin, said that the girl could be discharged from the hospital."You need to rest completely for a while," Griffin warned when Aurora got out of bed and stretched."Alright, doctor!" the girl replied.Griffin said a few more things to Adelaide, who was paying close attention. In the past few days, Aurora had noticed that there was a strange tension between them. She also noticed that Griffin was very dedicated to his work. The girl's hunch was that he was more focused on his career than his love life, just like her sister."They're interested in each other, I'm sure of it, but they don't know how to act," Aurora thought.As they talked, they would occasionally smile awkwardly at each other, while Adelaide's younger sister watched everything."They're not even going to exchange phone numbers?!! Seriously, do I have to play matchmaker?" the girl thought.Aurora took the pen that was in Griffin's lab coat pocke
Aurora arrived home and was surprised to see Adelaide sitting on the couch, enjoying a bag of snacks. She was having the Saturday night that her sister had desired so much."What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on a romantic date with the hot doctor, a.k.a. Mr. Arrogant's brother, also known as Griffin?" Aurora sat next to her, stealing the bag of snacks from her hands."He had an emergency at the hospital. We decided to reschedule dinner when both of us are free from work commitments.""Does our family have some kind of karma?" Aurora questioned, and Adelaide furrowed her brow. "Like, the Navarro women are destined to have a terrible love life!" the girl said with a somber voice, and Adelaide laughed."That must be it. Now give me back my snacks!" Adelaide took the package back from her sister, who stuck out her tongue at her.Aurora got up from the couch and headed to the darkroom. She needed to develop the photos she took today.After finishing everything, Aurora placed the ph
"I don't like that guy!" Adelaide referred to Tristan when they entered the house. She had been saying that the whole way back home, also mentioning that her sixth sense told her to keep her distance from that guy. "He's so narcissistic and sadistic. I bet he paid for your treatment just so he wouldn't get sued right at the beginning of his career. If it wasn't for that, he would have left you stranded in the middle of the street."Aurora didn't pay attention to what she was saying. She took the camera out of her bag and headed to the darkroom. She wanted to develop the photos she took of Tristan.When she was in the taxi, Aurora remembered Tristan's eyes and then the eyes in the photo she took at the college festival."Aurora? What are you doing?" Adelaide entered the room, but her phone rang, causing her to step back and answer the call.Minutes passed, and Adelaide had to go to the restaurant. Her boss needed her incredible culinary skills because a very important lawyer was there
The party in the Emotion building had already begun. It was late at night, and many people were present, dancing to the loud and lively music or getting wasted at the bar.Most eyes turned to the two friends who had just entered: Tristan and Xavier. It was practically impossible not to look at them; even the taken women couldn't help but analyze them from head to toe."I have to go find my boss. Have fun, but don't go overboard!" Seraphina warned the two."Don't treat me like I'm a teenager," Xavier rolled his eyes."I'm the older sister! You can't escape from me."Tristan paid no attention to their typical, pointless, and idiotic argument. In fact, everything around him became unimportant as soon as he laid his eyes on Aurora. She was on the dance floor, moving to the beat of the lively music."I knew you wanted to come here because of a girl!" Xavier said, noticing his friend's gaze."Are you eyeing the new photographer?!" Seraphina asked, but Tristan didn't respond. "Well, your tas
Six years later...Tristan, Aurora, and Adelaide now formed a close-knit family, brimming with love and joy. The room with the world map wallpaper looked a bit different, adorned with soft colors and children's toys, reflecting the happiness that had filled that space. However, the image of the map still adorned the wall because the little girl had a deep fondness for that decoration.Adelaide, now six years old, lay on the bed with her Corgi dog, Toby, by her side. She was engrossed in a book of pony stories, her latest passion. Tristan approached and gently stroked his daughter's red hair as she read."Still in love with ponies, my dear?" he asked with a smile.Adelaide nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Daddy! They're so cute and magical!"Tristan smiled, reminiscing about the time she used to call him 'pony.' "Maybe one day, when you grow a bit more, you can ride a real one."Adelaide's eyes lit up at the idea. "That would be amazing, Daddy!"Meanwhile, Aurora stood in the doorway, wa
Five years later...Aurora felt every heartbeat quicken as the contractions intensified. Her breath was deep and irregular, and her hand was firmly clasped in her husband Tristan's, who remained by her side, providing strength and support. The delivery room was immersed in a silence heavy with anxiety and anticipation.The soft candlelight spread throughout the room, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere. The scent of lavender hung in the air, mixed with the electric tension that enveloped the couple. The walls were lined with white tiles, reflecting the serenity of the moment that was about to unfold.The obstetrician, Rose, moved with a comforting calmness as she prepared for the baby's arrival. She smiled, instilling confidence in Aurora, whose eyes welled up with tears. Aurora knew that she would soon cradle the fruit of her love with Tristan in her arms.The contractions now came with an almost rhythmic regularity, causing Aurora to focus even more on her breathing. She took de
It took only a matter of weeks for Xavier to gain full custody of Christian, following Genevieve's sentencing to decades in prison. Soon after, he announced Amelie's pregnancy and their engagement.It wasn't easy for Violet to cope with what had happened to her older sister. Despite always finding Genevieve's behavior towards Tristan and Aurora strange, she never imagined that her uncontrollable way of loving would lead her to that point. Aurora stayed by her side in the first few days until Violet decided to spend some time at her parents' house in another city. However, she promised to return for her friend's wedding.And she kept her promise.Aurora sneaked out of the room where she was getting ready, and since she already knew the way - the ceremony was taking place at Mr. Callahan's mansion, which he had lent for the event - she hid behind a wall where she could observe the beautifully decorated hall. She saw Violet among the guests, looking stunning in her purple dress, talking
A suffocating panic crawled through Aurora's body as she was pushed through the corridors of the mansion, not knowing exactly where she was going; where Genevieve wanted to take her."Move faster!" Genevieve ordered, pressing the barrel of the gun against her head.Aurora swallowed hard and quickened her pace. She was terrified, her chest felt tight, and her mouth bitter, but she tried to think of a way to change things. She wouldn't surrender, let alone die there."Here. Go in," Genevieve indicated a door, and even though Aurora was confused, she obeyed. It was Tristan's office."Genevieve..." Aurora spoke softly, even though she was in complete agony at the sight of the brunette pointing a gun at her with an empty expression. "Please, think carefully about what you're about to do...""I should have done this a long time ago! It's the only way this hell will end," Genevieve replied."No, it won't." Aurora shook her head. "Genevieve, killing me won't make Tristan love you...""I don't
If news reached Thomas's ears, it would take only a few days for him to share it with the entire United States. Aurora called Klaus, who wasn't even in America at that moment, wanting to tell him before someone else did, but it was too late. He already knew, thanks to Thomas, of course. Klaus still made her swear over the phone that she wouldn't plan anything related to the ceremony until he and Frederick returned from their honeymoon.Tristan planned to tell his father when they visited him on Sunday. Mr. Callahan wasn't very connected to gossip, so it was quite likely that he didn't know the news yet. And even if he did find out, he wouldn't be the type of person to care about such things.Despite the immense joy, Aurora's heart ached every time she imagined her sister helping her with the wedding details. She imagined that Adelaide would cry all the time, from the first dress fitting to the end of the party.Aurora continued with her treatment and medications. She still woke up in
Many hours later, they were still on the couch, holding hands. Aurora rested her head on Tristan's shoulder, and he also rested his head on hers."I had an idea," she said."Here it comes," Tristan replied with a smile."Hey!" Aurora pulled away from him, indignant. "My ideas are always brilliant.""And what's this one?""Well..." Aurora moved to sit on his lap, with one leg on each side of his body and her hands on his broad shoulders. "I thought we could invite our friends and have a non-traditional ceremony. It could happen here, or maybe in a hall. You would wear a suit, and I'd wear a beautiful dress... and some sexy lingerie for later."He watched her closely."Aurora, are you asking me to marry you?" Tristan asked.She blushed but managed to nod."Have you ever noticed that every time we go in opposite directions, and that's been happening since the day we met, we end up finding each other again without intending to?" Aurora began to explain. "I don't want to rely on luck again
"What are you doing here?" Tristan's question burst into that tension-filled space, unleashing a torrent of long-held emotions."I came to lay it all on the line!" the redhead declared, adjusting her tone to convey determination. "And just so you know, no, I'm not drunk, and I'm fully aware of what I'm about to say, so pay close attention." Tristan, relaxed with his arms crossed and leaning against the door frame, kept his gaze focused as he listened attentively. "This whole 'being friends' thing isn't going to work. Sure, I agreed to it at first, but I also said we should let our hearts go where they wanted. And that's the point. My heart only goes to you... even if you are a Mr. Arrogant, cheeky, proud, masochistic, and thick-headed jerk!"A glimmer of amusement appeared in Tristan's eyes as he commented, "That was the longest one yet."Aurora scolded him, "Don't interrupt me, or I'll lose my train of thought."Tristan, with a touch of sarcasm, teased, "Are you sure you haven't had
Aurora decided to go to Luna's house."Sorry for showing up without giving you a heads up, Luna."Luna laughed and replied, "I appreciate it, actually! The men in the house are all out right now, and when that happens, I'm stuck here, bored out of my mind." Observing the younger woman's distressed face, she realized something was wrong. "What's going on? You seem nervous."Aurora explained, "I need to talk to you."Luna nodded, concerned, and promptly settled down on the living room couch with the young woman."Go ahead, speak.""After I went to New York, did Tristan... did he say anything to you? I mean, did he ask about me?"Luna chuckled, but her mood faded when she saw Aurora's worried expression. "Seriously? Oh yes, he asked about you all the time."Aurora's heart raced, a good feeling she hadn't experienced in a while."Really?""Klaus told me that you two got back together at his wedding. I thought he had already told you."Aurora laughed at her friend's gossip, but then her ex
An hour of comfortable silence stretched, during which Aurora briefly dozed off, and Tristan contemplated his life while gently caressing her hand."Whose room is this?" Aurora asked, noticing the miniature cartoon character figurines on top of a dresser on the other side."Mine. Well, it used to be mine," Tristan replied."Really?" Aurora got up, full of curiosity, and went to the other side of the room to examine closely."My father said he didn't touch anything after I left, except for the clothes I left behind," explained Tristan."What happened to them?""They were donated. Besides that, everything's the same."Aurora noticed that the miniatures were the only decoration with a personal touch. There was nothing else. No photos or CDs of any bands he used to like. Since childhood, he had a rather minimalist taste."Your father must have missed you," she commented, hearing his incredulous grunt. "Seriously. After all, you're still his son. I can't think of any other reason he wouldn