Chapter 11

AURORA

Driving back to Blackwater, I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my mind spinning with anxiety. I knew I’d crossed a line. I had left on my own, slipped away without telling Ethan, and now I had to face him. I did not even want to think twice about what he was thinking at the moment. I did not know how many people he had invited today to witness the wedding, and he just thought that I stood him up. Did he regret deciding to marry me?

My chest tightened at the thought of his reaction. He had every right to be angry. If the roles were reversed, I’d feel the same way. I would perhaps even have a worse reaction than he would ever think of having. When I arrived at the palace and stepped inside, I immediately spotted Ethan and Kiara in the sitting room, casually watching a movie. They looked relaxed, and at ease, and for a moment, I hesitated, feeling like an intruder.

She was probably there with him when I left. She must have convinced him that she was right to be wary of me in the first place. But then Ethan’s eyes met mine, and his expression changed. He looked away, jaw tight, refusing to acknowledge me. It was like a punch to my heart. I felt so bad. I should have at least told him something before I left. But I was driven like a force to go and speak to Damian. I could not just stay back like that.

“Ethan,” I said softly, hoping he’d hear the regret in my voice. “Can we talk?”

He stayed silent, staring at the screen, his lips pressed in a hard line. My stomach dropped, the hurt deepening. I did not have the right to be hurt here. He was the one that was supposed to be angry at me.

Kiara’s eyes flicked between us, her brow furrowing. “Where have you been?” she asked. I could not tell from her tone if she hated me even more or if she excused me for what I did.

I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn’t lie. “I went to see Damian.”

The room fell silent. Kiara’s jaw dropped, and Ethan finally looked at me, his face a mix of shock and something darker. Without a word, he stood and left the room. My heart lurched, and I hurried after him, catching up just as he reached the balcony. I realized that I should have sugarcoated it in a way that was not going to sound like I went to get closure from my ex-husband. I should have told him that I went to do the opposite. To get him to stay the hell away from me.

“Ethan. Please, let me explain,” I called out, desperation lacing my voice.

He turned, his eyes cold. “Why, Aurora?” His voice was low. “Why would you go back to him?”

I swallowed, searching for the right words. “It was unfinished business. I had to see him, to make sure he wouldn’t interfere again in my life. I wanted to make him leave me alone because I had a new life now that did not involve me anymore.” I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about the necklace or the vision. Some secrets felt too personal to share, even with him.

I knew how it was going to sound if I told anyone I had an enchanted necklace that was giving me visions. They were either going to think I was into some shady shit or I was going crazy, or both.

“Do you realize how this looks?” he raised a brow, his voice tight with barely controlled frustration. “You left without a word. You left me at the altar waiting for you after I defended you to my entire family. In front of everyone, I looked like a fool. My Luna, disappeared on her wedding day. And now you are telling me that you went to see another man.”

His words stung, the disappointment in his eyes cutting deeper than any anger could. He was the one person that always treated me kindly and I had just managed to make him wary of me. “I know. I’m so sorry, Ethan,” I whispered, stepping closer, my heart aching. “I shouldn’t have gone. I know that now. But it’s over. I’m here, and I promise, I’m not going anywhere.”

His gaze softened, but his stance remained rigid. “You say that, but you were with him. Talking to him. Why?”

I hesitated, then decided to answer him honestly, even if it wasn’t the whole truth. I could not bear to tell anyone the truth. “I needed to make sure he understood that he has no power over me. That I’m not him anymore.”

Ethan’s throat bobbed, and I saw the flash of pain in his eyes as he took a step toward me. “Tell me the truth, Aurora. Was there more to it? Do you still feel anything for him? Did you go back there to confirm whether you still wanted him or not?”

My heart pounded, and I took a shaky breath, reaching out to touch his arm. The questions did not sound like a question between business partners. It felt deep, and I was a bit glad he was asking them, “Ethan, there’s nothing between Damian and me. Not anymore.”

“It certainly doesn’t feel like this now. The fact that you went back to him, not any other day but the day we are supposed to get married says a lot.” His lips twisted in distaste.

I looked up at him, my own heart racing. “Are you jealous?” I asked softly.

His gaze dropped to my lips, his face inches from mine. “Yes, Aurora,” he murmured, his tone tortured, his breath warm on my skin. “I am jealous. I do not know why, but I know that you are not meant to be there. You are meant to be here with me, for the next nine months. I do not intend on sharing you with anyone within that time frame."

His words sent a shiver through me, and I felt my breath catch as he leaned in, his hand gently cupping my cheek. My pulse quickened, my throat dry, and the world around us seemed to fade. Just a business arrangement. Just nine months. My body shook as he stepped closer to me, his eyes staring down at my lips. Slowly, he leaned closer, his gaze locked on mine, and just as his lips were about to touch mine—

A loud commotion sounded outside, shattering the moment. Footsteps hurried toward us, and we both turned to see his mother rushing toward the balcony, her face etched with worry.

“Ethan,” she called out with urgency in her voice. “I need you to escort me to the hospital. There’s been an emergency.”

Ethan’s face twisted in frustration, his jaw clenched as he looked back at me, his eyes filled with regret. He took a step back, nodding slowly. “I’ll be back, Aurora. I promise.”

I nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment. Relief because I didn’t know if I was ready for what had nearly happened, and disappointment because a part of me wanted it. Needed it, even. I have never been wanted this way by anyone, and I kinda liked it. He gave me one last look, his eyes lingering before he turned and left with his mother, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. I stood there alone on the balcony, my heart racing as I tried to process everything.

The words he’d said, the way he looked at me, and the way he’d confessed his jealousy all left me breathless and terrified. For so long, I had been guarded, my heart protected because of the way Damian had taken it into his hands and crushed it mercilessly. I did not think I was ever going to open my heart back to anyone, because I thought that I was going to be married to Damian forever. But with Ethan, there was an attraction between us that pulled us together and I didn’t know how to stop it.

Ethan was kind, loyal, and honest. But he was also a man with a past, just like I was, and his past was even darker than mine. But even with everything, I knew that this was not a path I was willing to go down. He was a good man, but this was all an arrangement. It is not supposed to end on a good and romantic note. I was supposed to bear him a child, and leave with my money. It was written down on the contract, and I needed to remind myself that every single time something like this happens.

I sighed as I left the balcony and left the room, hoping for tomorrow to come so I could finally be married to him. One step closer to gaining my freedom.