AURORA“Hey, be careful with that,” I said to the maintenance operator trying to fix up Fiona's office with my Mom's picture.“She's gorgeous,” Carina said.“Well, I had to take my looks from somewhere,” I said, giving a little dance.The maintenance operator smirked as he carefully adjusted the frame on the wall. I watched, feeling an odd mixture of pride and nostalgia. My mother’s photograph seemed to cast a gentle warmth across Fiona’s typically sterile office.Carina leaned in, examining the picture more closely. “I can’t believe I never knew your mom was this stunning. You always mention her, but this—”I nodded, a bittersweet smile crossing my lips. “Yeah, Martin said she had this way of making everyone feel seen. Even in a crowd, it was like she was looking right at you, understanding everything you were thinking.”“Must be where you get your intuition from,” Carina said, winking.Before I could respond, Amy walked in, her usual brisk energy trailing behind her. She stopped mid
AURORA“No way,” I dropped the photo, shocked and confused.“I double checked Aurora,” Martin said to me. “I have medical records to prove it,” I heard some raffling behind me and I turned.“How did you get those?” I asked him. He tilted his head. Right, knowing the answer to that is probably a bad idea.“How can this be possible?” I asked. “What, he just woke up one morning and decided not to be a woman?” Martin sighed, running a hand through his hair as if trying to untangle the mess of thoughts in his head. His eyes met mine, filled with something between sympathy and disbelief.“Look, it’s not like he just decided one day. From what I’ve pieced together, it was years in the making, a struggle buried beneath layers of secrecy and shame.” He paused, holding up one of the papers. “The records show treatments, therapy sessions… it was deliberate, Aurora.”I picked up the photo again, my fingers trembling slightly. The face staring back at me was both familiar and alien, a ghost of th
AURORAI sat on the sofa as the Doctor’s words continued to echo in my head.“I’m sorry, Mrs. Crane, only time will tell.” I held my tummy tightly as I tried to shut the words out.That didn’t work, but the sound of heels landing on the floor did.“You thief!” That was Katherine, Jacob's mistress.“What’s going on?” Jacob came out of his study, along with his mother and sister from their respective rooms.“I found the jewelry your Mom has been looking for,” she said to Jacob and then looked at me. “She stole it.” Gasps of surprise and anger left everyone's lips, including mine.There was a bit of silence, then I turned to Jacob, my husband.“Jacob, please. I will never do such a thing. She is lying.” I pleaded on my knees. This isn’t the first time this has happened. I have been able to rescue myself from Katherine’s lies and deceit, but this time it seems impossible.“Mother,” Jacob faced his Mom, “is this the jewelry you have been looking for?” he asked her.“Yes, it is,” Christina
AURORAI could feel all eyes on me as Steve walked into the room. It felt like nobody was on my side. Why would they be? They have no reason to be. My husband, who should be on my side, is just looking for ways to get rid of me. The same with Katherine, who just wants to take my place. Christina and Amy just want to get rid of me for no reason even after making me the head maid of the household.I smiled bitterly as Steve came forward. Once he tells the truth, all of this will be over.“Steve, do you know who this woman is?” Jacob asked him.He turned to look at me and I nodded for him to respond.“Don’t look at her,” Jacob said to him. “Now answer me. Do you know this woman and has she been to this house before today?”“Yes, sir,” that was Steve's reply. I was shocked and murmurs filled the room.“In fact, I have seen her more than once in the compound with Mrs. Crane,” he continued and my eyes felt like they were going to pop out.“What!” I screamed, “What do you mean, Steve?” I ask
AURORAI held the divorce papers in my hands as I was led out of the jail cell.I'm in a cell after being accused of stealing a piece of jewelry, and my husband handed me divorce papers.“Where am I going?” I ask the officer leading me.“To the courthouse to get your sentence,” he said.“I won't get a trial to prove my innocence?” I asked.“According to the judge, the evidence is too overwhelming and the lady you sold to already took a plea bargain.”“I didn't sell anything to anyone.” I stood my ground.“When telling me won't do you any good. The law is the law,” he said.“Then the law should protect me because I'm innocent.”“Or you are just unlucky,” he mocked and his fellow officers laughed.I kept my head down as the mockery intensified.It's unusual for cops to joke like this. Katherine is probably behind this. She's been making my life a living hell ever since I married Jacob, and now she's getting the victory.The journey to the courthouse wasn't far. A drive of about fifteen
AURORAI opened my eyes, and my nostrils were filled with the scent of lavender. I turned my head and saw a perfume dispenser.Looking around, I didn't see the confined four-square walls typical of a prison. Instead, I found myself in a spacious, elegantly furnished room with high ceilings and large windows that allowed the golden morning light to flood in.The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings, and a luxurious carpet covered the floor. I felt the softness of the silk sheets beneath me and realized I was lying in an ornate, king-sized bed.A gentle breeze rustled the sheer curtains, and I could hear the distant sound of birds singing. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.This was a far cry from the cold, harsh reality of the cell in the police station I had grown accustomed to. Had I been dreaming? Was this some elaborate trick?I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, feeling the plush carpet under my bare feet. I walked to the window an
JACOBI held the picture in my hands and stared at it for a while.That's been the theme of my days for the past five years. Looking at the picture of an empty police van with no Aurora in it.I picked up another picture, a snapshot of her taken at the station.I can't believe she's gone. I can't believe I didn't believe her or let her know how much I loved her.But because of my pride and arrogance, I may have lost her.Her voice rang in my head. Her words never seemed to stop tormenting me, day and night.Most nights I wake up to her voice, screaming at me to believe that she was innocent.I didn't spare her a glance as they took her away, and I haven't seen her since.The police believed she was kidnapped, but why?Who would kidnap Aurora, and why?They didn't seem to have answers to this question, and neither do I. Even after years of searching for her and answers to my questions, and employing private investigators to help.Nobody seems to know where Aurora is and what happened t
AURORAI could feel the rage rising inside of me as my eyes meant with his. Instantly my feelings weren't my own anymore.The rage was there but I could also feel a sense of happiness by just looking at him. This feeling has to be blocked away if I'm going to defeat him. I have to show an insane amount of anger or hatred towards him, because knowing Jacob, he is going to take advantage of it.“What are you doing here?” The sound of his voice made my thighs move, I mentally cautioned myself.“Back to your old ways, I see,” he said, moving to and fro around the office.“What exactly is that supposed to mean?” I asked with a lot of anger in my office.“A lot actually,” his voice hinted with a sense of mockery, “my mind has been in awe as of how you were exonerated.”“Don't judge a book by it's cover,” I said to him, swinging my chair in different directions, I then moved forward, “didn't your Mom teach you that,” I could see him swelling up, “how is she doing anyway?”“Keep my mother's