The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Aurora's new bedroom, casting a soft glow over the luxurious space. She stretched, momentarily disoriented, before the reality of her situation settled in. Today was the day she and Damian would debut as a couple at the black-tie charity gala.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, revealing a petite woman with a warm smile."Good morning, Miss Lane. I'm Elise, your stylist for today."Aurora sat up, surprised. "Stylist?"Elise nodded, wheeling in a rack adorned with exquisite gowns. "Mr. Blackwell insisted on providing options for this evening's event."Aurora's fingers grazed the fabrics—silk, satin, chiffon—in hues ranging from classic black to deep emerald. Each dress was more stunning than the last.Hours later, after fittings, makeup, and hair styling, Aurora barely recognized herself. She chose a floor-length, off-the-shoulder emerald gown that complemented her complexion, pa
Aurora sat quietly in the back of Damian’s car as the city lights flickered past, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The weight of the night still clung to her, from the suffocating stares to Damian’s lingering touches that felt far too real.Damian, seated beside her, scrolled casually through his phone, as if tonight hadn't shaken her to the core."Well," he said finally, breaking the silence. "You survived your first night as my fiancée."Aurora shot him a sharp look. "Barely."A faint smirk tugged at his lips, but his eyes didn’t quite meet hers. "You played your role better than I expected. Even Richard Caldwell seemed impressed. That’s no small feat.""I didn’t do it for you," she muttered, turning her gaze out the window. "I did it because I don’t have a choice."Damian finally looked at her, a flash of something unreadable in his expression. "We all have choices, Aurora. Don’t kid yourself."She turned back to him, eyes narrowed. "Is that what you tell yourself when you tra
The last person Aurora Lane ever wanted to see again was standing in front of her, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, oozing power and arrogance.Damian Blackwell."You look surprised to see me, Aurora," he said, his voice as smooth and cold as glass."I am," she shot back, crossing her arms to hide the way her hands trembled. "I didn't know loan sharks wore thousand-dollar suits."His lips curved into a smirk. "Still sharp-tongued, I see. But let's not pretend you didn't come here for help."Her cheeks burned. She hated that he was right."My father’s debt—" she began, but Damian cut her off with a wave of his hand."I'll take care of it," he said smoothly, leaning back in his chair like a king granting mercy. "But everything has a price, Aurora."She narrowed her eyes. "What kind of price?"He stood, walking slowly toward her. His gaze pinned her in place, dark and unreadable."Marry me," he said simply.Aurora blinked, thinking she misheard him. "Excuse me?""Marry me," Damian
Aurora sat quietly in the back of Damian’s car as the city lights flickered past, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The weight of the night still clung to her, from the suffocating stares to Damian’s lingering touches that felt far too real.Damian, seated beside her, scrolled casually through his phone, as if tonight hadn't shaken her to the core."Well," he said finally, breaking the silence. "You survived your first night as my fiancée."Aurora shot him a sharp look. "Barely."A faint smirk tugged at his lips, but his eyes didn’t quite meet hers. "You played your role better than I expected. Even Richard Caldwell seemed impressed. That’s no small feat.""I didn’t do it for you," she muttered, turning her gaze out the window. "I did it because I don’t have a choice."Damian finally looked at her, a flash of something unreadable in his expression. "We all have choices, Aurora. Don’t kid yourself."She turned back to him, eyes narrowed. "Is that what you tell yourself when you tra
The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Aurora's new bedroom, casting a soft glow over the luxurious space. She stretched, momentarily disoriented, before the reality of her situation settled in. Today was the day she and Damian would debut as a couple at the black-tie charity gala.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, revealing a petite woman with a warm smile."Good morning, Miss Lane. I'm Elise, your stylist for today."Aurora sat up, surprised. "Stylist?"Elise nodded, wheeling in a rack adorned with exquisite gowns. "Mr. Blackwell insisted on providing options for this evening's event."Aurora's fingers grazed the fabrics—silk, satin, chiffon—in hues ranging from classic black to deep emerald. Each dress was more stunning than the last.Hours later, after fittings, makeup, and hair styling, Aurora barely recognized herself. She chose a floor-length, off-the-shoulder emerald gown that complemented her complexion, pa
Aurora sat stiffly in the back of Damian Blackwell’s sleek black limousine, staring out at the city lights that blurred past the window. The weight of her decision pressed on her chest like a stone.She was officially engaged to a man she despised.Next to her, Damian lounged casually, as if this was nothing more than a routine business deal. He swirled the glass of whiskey in his hand, his gaze occasionally flicking to her with a hint of amusement."Relax, Aurora," he drawled. "You look like you're headed to your execution."She shot him a glare. "That's exactly how it feels."Damian smirked, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Marriage to me isn’t a death sentence, sweetheart. You might even enjoy it."She snorted. "Don’t flatter yourself."His eyes darkened slightly, but the smirk never left his face. "You’ll learn soon enough that I always collect on my debts, Aurora. And right now, you are mine to claim."Her cheeks burned, but she forced herself to remain calm. "You think this lit
The last person Aurora Lane ever wanted to see again was standing in front of her, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, oozing power and arrogance.Damian Blackwell."You look surprised to see me, Aurora," he said, his voice as smooth and cold as glass."I am," she shot back, crossing her arms to hide the way her hands trembled. "I didn't know loan sharks wore thousand-dollar suits."His lips curved into a smirk. "Still sharp-tongued, I see. But let's not pretend you didn't come here for help."Her cheeks burned. She hated that he was right."My father’s debt—" she began, but Damian cut her off with a wave of his hand."I'll take care of it," he said smoothly, leaning back in his chair like a king granting mercy. "But everything has a price, Aurora."She narrowed her eyes. "What kind of price?"He stood, walking slowly toward her. His gaze pinned her in place, dark and unreadable."Marry me," he said simply.Aurora blinked, thinking she misheard him. "Excuse me?""Marry me," Damian