The Night Before Aurora My head sank into the pillow, soft and cool beneath my cheek, but it felt wrong,—it was too soft and too empty. It was a stark contrast to the hard, warm pillow I had been resting on just moments ago. No, I preferred that hard pillow. I groaned, my eyes fluttering open slowly, adjusting to the dim light in the room. As my vision cleared, my breath caught in my throat. Woah. A breathtaking man loomed above me, his body inches from mine, hand resting on the pillow next to my head, the other gripping the edge of the duvet, as though he was about to pull it up. His face was impossibly close, his sharp features framed by soft strands of tousled dark hair that fell against his forehead. I blinked, and so did he, his piercing gaze meeting mine. For a moment, the world seemed to fall away, and the only sound in the room was the rapid pounding of my heart. Beautiful. Oh, how beautiful he was. Without a second thought—without any thought at all, I s
Aurora “Now you have to take responsibility for making me hard,” he murmured, his voice rough and low, sending a shiver down my spine. His hungry soft lips crashed into mine before I could respond. My breath hitched. His kiss was fierce, demanding, and utterly intoxicating. My fingers naturally wrapped around his neck as I drew him nearer while returning his kiss just as desperately. Our tongues met, battling for dominance, but it was a losing fight for me. He had complete control, and I could feel it in the way his hands gripped me, one on my waist and the other sliding up to the back of my neck. His fingers pressed lightly against my skin, keeping me in place as he devoured me. I let out a moan as when I felt him press into me. His hard length could be felt through the fabric separating us. The sensation sent a jolt of heat through my body. And I found myself drawing him nearer by entwining my legs around his waist, locking him closer. His grip on me tightened, his hands
Present Day Aurora I'm fucked. I knew I was fucked. Like, literally, I can't find a single reasonable thing I did yesterday… not one thing that led me to this point in my life. My face grew impossibly hot as the memories from last night came crashing back, one vivid detail at a time. Kissing him. Running my hands over his body. Striping him. Whispering things—oh God, what had I even said? I had been practically throwing myself at him, like some hormone-driven teenager in a trashy romance novel. And now? The man I had been shamelessly seducing last night like a whore was sitting right in front of me, lounging in his chair like he had all the time in the world. His sharp eyes sparkled with amusement, the corner of his mouth lifting in the faintest smirk. Was he enjoying this? Of course, he was. He basically warned me about the consequences of touching him but I still threw myself at him. Not only that, I almost threw up on him yesterday when things were just getting h
Aurora “I’m not interested in your money. What I want is simple—marry me.” I blinked, his words echoing in my mind like a bad joke that had just landed flat. Surely, I misheard him. Of course I misheard him. What sort of responsibility was that? We didn't even go all the way and he was asking me to take responsibility for what? Touching him? Was his body made up of glass, or what? “…Excuse me?” I asked, my voice sounding slightly higher than usual. “You heard me,” he replied, his tone cool and indifferent, as if he hadn’t just said the most absurd thing I’d ever heard in my life. “I asked you to marry me. I will be your husband and you will be my wife.” Huh? Did this handsome man hit his head or something? Because he was clearly spouting nonsense, talking like marriage was the easiest thing in the world. I didn’t even know him. He was a complete stranger. For fuck’s sake, this was only the second time we’d met. I let out a short, nervous laugh, rubbing the back of my
Aurora You might wonder what I was doing at seven in the morning, heels in hand and tiptoeing quietly into my room like a guilty thief? Or why I was avoiding the maids who were busy doing their morning routines. Simple—my mother is a very noisy person. If she saw me, especially in this state—my hair a mess, my makeup smeared, and my lips swollen, it would be impossible to explain. I basically looked like I had been fucked all night long. She would ask questions… questions I don’t have answers to. And once my mother started asking questions, she didn’t stop until she had every detail. And I’m definitely not planning on giving her any information about last night. I’m burying everything that happened. It was a one time thing, and hopefully I would never see that lunatic again. I mean, how can you just ask a stranger to marry you because we kissed? Does he ask all the women he kissed to marry him? I pushed the door open as quietly as I could, my mother's room was next t
Aurora “I need information on two people. Elena and Jayden." A low, seductive chuckle rumbled in my ear “Oh, the Joneses? Elena and Jayden.” Christopher’s voice held a hint of mockery. “I knew they were stupid and proud, but I didn’t know they’d be dumb enough to dig their own graves. What did they do to get on your bad side, sweetheart?” “They drugged me last night.” I said, flatly. There was silence on the other end of the line, it was just long enough to make me wonder if I’d lost him. Then he laughed. A deep, full laugh that sent shivers down my spine and irritation straight into my chest. “Are you seriously laughing right now?” I snapped, gripping the phone tighter. “You have no idea what I went through yesterday because of them.” “Oh, I know you’re fine,” he said, still chuckling. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be calling me to dig up dirt on people. Your two scary brothers would have already murdered them by now. I still remember the day Noah came to London and saw
Elena “Ah! Why can't I forget that stupid bitch?!” I screamed, slamming the door to my room, the sound echoing through the thick walls. My breathing was ragged, my chest heaving, I could taste the anger and disgust on the back of my tongue. I yanked the necklace from my neck and hurled it across the room. It was expensive, probably more than a million dollars, but I didn't care. I didn't care about anything right now. I went to my vanity, where I kept my makeup and perfume, and angrily swept everything onto the floor. But nothing helped. Nothing could dull the rage boiling inside me. Even though the day was almost over, I couldn't stop thinking about last night. I had planned everything. Every single detail. That woman, whoever she was—was supposed to leave the party humiliated, crawling away like the pathetic slut she was. She was supposed to throw herself at some random man, desperate for attention, exposing her true nature in front of everyone. And Alexander… Alexande
Aurora The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward me, shock etched across every face in the room. People turned to each other, whispering something too hushed for me to make out, but their wide eyes said everything. I didn’t need to go that high, but I did, and it was worth it because the expression on Elena’s face was a feast for my eyes. I leaned back in my chair, sitting like a queen. The dark suit and tailored trousers made me look like a grim reaper from hell. “F-fifty million?” the auctioneer stammered, his voice cracking as he stared at me like I’d just announced the end of the world. His hand shook as he adjusted his glasses, clearly trying to process what I’d just said. “Are you sure, madam? This is fifty million we are taking about.” My lips curled into a slow, deliberate smirk. “Of course, or can the young lady go higher?” Everyone turned their attention to Elena, who sat in the front row, her face twisting into a fury. She wasn’t even trying to hide it. He
Aurora The cool, sterile air of the hospital brushed against my skin as I walked out of Nathaniel’s office. My mind was spinning. An ex-wife? That revelation sat heavy in my chest, creating more questions than answers. Why had no one ever mentioned it before? Why had he mentioned it to me? And why was my heart racing every time I thought about it? I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. My steps echoed faintly in the hallway as I moved forward, but I couldn’t focus on where I was going. It felt like I was walking in circles. The feeling of always getting close to your goal and then being back at the beginning was frustrating. Whenever I was near the truth, something or someone always had to stop me from finding out. It was starting to annoy me. I could just stop all this trouble and ask my mother or my brothers, but I doubt they would be much help. They were hiding my past for a reason, and they wouldn't just tell me. Nathaniel asked me out for dinner, and the way he
Aurora “Doctor Aurora?” Nathaniel stared at me in surprise, his eyes carefully studying my face as if he was trying to see if I was really the one sitting in front of him. I met his gaze with no particular emotion. I planned for this. I played out so many different versions of how this meeting would go. How I would act. What I would say. What I would ask. But now? Now I was just… staring at this man. This man who felt familiar and yet a complete stranger all at once. Nathaniel’s eyes darted to my body, as if trying to make sure I was okay. Then, much to my surprise, he sighed heavily, leaning forward and placing his head in his hands. “I’m sorry, Doctor Aurora,” I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden apology. “Sorry? Why are you apologizing?” He looked up at me, his expression open and honest. “It’s my fault. You came to my hospital, and you almost got hurt. You were dragged into something dangerous.” I tilted my head slightly. Was he serious? Did he actually mean it
Aurora I stared at him in disbelief. What just happened? Did he just catch the knife with his bare hands? Did he just save me from getting killed? At the moment when the knife was about to make contact with my body, I thought about a lot of things. A lot of people that meant so much to me—people I couldn't leave behind. But unexpectedly, he saved me. Nathaniel saved me from being killed. Blood dripped from his palm onto the floor, but he didn’t even flinch. Why? Why would Nathaniel do that? "Who the hell are you?" The man shouted, bringing me back to the present. Nathaniel straightened, his bloody hand still clutching the knife, and pushed me behind him. He stood tall, his presence commanding the room as he looked the man directly in the eyes. "I am Doctor Nathaniel. I don’t believe we’ve met, but I was the surgeon who performed your daughter’s operation." The man’s eyes widened, his face twisting with rage. "You bastard! You're the person that killed my Juliet." he shouted, y
Aurora I stared up at the massive hospital in front of me, The building was both inviting and intimidating. It was slightly larger than my brother’s hospital, which was not surprising, given its history. This place had been around for decades, building its reputation as not just a place of healing but also one of hope. Known for its work with patients who couldn’t afford treatment, it stood out in a world where healthcare was often ruled by greed. But, more than anything, this hospital was known for him. Dr. Nathaniel Davis. The surgeon everyone adored. The media’s golden boy. The man who seemed to embody perfection every time he appeared on TV or in interviews, his kind smile and composed personality made people swoon. A family man, a husband material and the perfect father. Trust me, I could say more, after all I had done my research. I ran a hand through my blonde hair, letting out a quiet sigh. We agreed to meet after that day and I was the one who set the time and th
X The photos spread out before me were like pieces of a puzzle I’d been working on for years. I picked up the one on top, running my thumb over her face. A stepping into the hospital, carrying herself with grace. Such a confident woman. But then, there was the other one. Her on the road, clutching her chest in panic. Vulnerable. Weak. A side of her the world rarely saw. I chuckled, the sound low and dark as it echoed in the empty room. Spinning lazily in my chair, I plucked another photo from the desk. This one was different—her holding her kids. That smile of hers, soft and full of love. How quaint. How perfectly motherly. But then there were the others. Damien, standing beside her. I scoffed, tossing that photo back onto the desk. Then there was Alexander, all charm and smiles, looking at her like she was the center of the goddamn universe. That one? I crumpled it, tossing it without a second thought. “Fools,” I muttered, shaking my head. “They don’t deserve her.” I leaned
Damien I stepped into my grandfather’s room, the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea filling the air. He sat beside the window, gazing out at the hospital grounds below. Patients and their families walked back and forth, some chatting, others lost in their thoughts. From this view, you could see it all—life continuing in its chaotic rhythm. "Don't you think that was too much?" my grandfather said without turning around. “You're too hard on the poor girl. She was waiting for you all this time.” I waved my hand dismissively, walking over to the chair next to him. “She waited for nothing,” I said indifferently, settling into the seat. He glanced at me briefly before setting his cup of tea down on the small table beside him. Without a word, I reached for the teapot and poured another cup, sliding it toward him. He nodded his thanks, and for a moment, the room was silent except for the faint clinking of porcelain and the muffled sounds from outside the window. I stared at the cup of tea
Damien The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, then began to close again when no one stepped inside. I leaned back against the wall, hands tucked into my pockets, watching the numbers tick down on the screen. Another stop. The doors opened, revealing a group of people standing outside, murmuring amongst themselves. But no one moved to enter. They avoided my gaze. Some shuffled awkwardly to the side, while others stared intently at their shoes, pretending not to notice me. They’d wait for the next one, just like everyone else. The elevator felt ten times colder, but it wasn’t the temperature—it was me. I clenched my jaw, my composure slipping as I ran a hand through my hair, attempting to calm the rage threatening to destroy everything in my path. The soft act I’d put on in her office—the restraint, the civility had shattered the moment I stepped out. I was back to who I truly was: cold, ruthless, and distant. But this time, there was something different. An
Aurora Did I just feel bad? Me? Aurora Williams? Impossible. Why would I feel bad when I didn’t even do anything wrong? I sighed inwardly, crossing my arms as my thoughts spiraled. But why do I hate the idea of him hearing about another man bringing me home? It wasn’t like I owed him anything. I didn’t. I wasn’t his girlfriend, his wife, or even anything close to it. So why was my chest tightening at the idea? Why did I feel this ridiculous pang of guilt? I must’ve hit my head on something. Or maybe… maybe it was the way he kissed me. The way he made me feel. That overwhelming sensation, the pleasure that still lingered on my skin like an imprint. Was it really that good? I bit my lip, heat crawling up my neck. No. It wasn’t just good. It was incredible. It was enough to completely scramble my brain, apparently. Because here I was, getting worked up over a man who wasn’t even mine. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure if that fact bothered me… or sca
Aurora A date? With him? Why? He didn’t seem like the type of man who went on dates. He seemed more like the type of man who took what he wanted and left without a second thought. “Aurora,” Damien said, his deep voice snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. I blinked, my eyes refocusing on him. He tilted his head slightly, studying my expression. “You don’t want to?” he asked, his tone calm but curious. “I’m not asking you to marry me this time. I’m asking you to go out with me. Isn’t that why you were angry last time? Because I was being too straightforward?” His words pulled me back to the day he had asked me to marry him like it was the most normal thing in the world. I swallowed, trying to push the memory aside. But this man…he seemed different. His usual arrogance was still there, but there was something else now. Something softer, like he was trying to go slow, trying to meet me halfway. It didn’t match the version of him I thought I knew. I hesitated,