JACOB“What the hell is he doing here?” I asked Christina. It still feels so weird that she isn't my mother.“Wow, we still look the same,” Grey said, walking down the stairs. “It really is uncanny,” I scoffed.“What's uncanny is you being here after what your mother just pulled,” I pointed my fingers at me.“You didn't know she wasn't your mother yesterday,” he mocked, “you need to give her the respect she deserves,”“The only thing she deserves is walking out of here alone, not with a police escort,” I said, taking a look at him.His hair was rough, his shirt was unbuttoned and his pants were torn in different places. I think I'm getting the hang of why he isn't part of our father's will.“My mother is walking out of here with what she is owed,” he said straight to my face.“Then you are not hearing me!” I roared, “she is happy to be walking out of here at all,” his face showed a bit of fear in my outburst but he quickly masked it.“Don't let them do this, Grey,” Christiana said, ho
AURORA“Come on, Carina. We have to go now!” That's the fifth time I'm calling her to get out of her room.“You still haven't told me where we are going!” She yelled and I scoffed, loud enough so she could hear.“Well, if we had left earlier, I could have told you,” I said to her. I got a message from my phone and brought it out of my camp bag.“Where are you guys? Madeline is here already,” the message read. I rolled my eyes at it.“You didn't exactly tell me where we are going, you just said pack for a slight camping trip,” she said, entering the living room.“What are you wearing?” I asked, trying to keep myself from laughing.“Something to keep myself from the cold. It is camping after all,” she said, walking towards the entrance. She wore a big baggy hoodie and her hair looked untidy. Like she hasn't washed it in a while.Hopefully she doesn't kill me when we get to where we are going and she sees a certain somebody.“It's not entirely a campsite,” I stopped talking when I saw M
AURORAImmediately Claire spoke, I took my stuff from the trunk of the car and went into the lake house. “Aurora,” I heard Madeline call my name but I needed space. I need to be alone right about now. “I'm fine, Madeline. I just want to be alone,” I said, searching for a room to be in. “You can take the middle one,” she said and I nodded. I walked into the room and closed the door behind me. I dropped to the ground and let the tears I have been holding for a while drop down my cheeks. Every word, Carina said out there replayed in my head like she was sitting beside me. Is it really true what she said, because I have the tendency of having bad relationships so I'm emitting that feeling to the people around me? I got up from the ground and laid on the evenly smooth bed, I brought one of the pillows close to me and screamed inside of it. I came here to surprise my friend and protect my company but it seems everything doesn't work in my favor anymore. “You are strong Aurora,” I said
AURORAIt's been weeks since Carina gave her…, I don’t even know what to call it. We have practically been living separate lives since then and she is not making any of this easier. The whole company seems to know something is up between the both of us.Fortunately, there is one good thing happening in the company right now. We have been able to buy more than half the shares Kent and Charles stole, they still think Andre is on their side, everything is moving smoothly in a way.“Aurora,” I didn’t need to turn to know who that voice belongs to. Is the one person I haven’t been able to prove his loyalty.“Spencer,” I turned around with a fake smile on my lips. In the chaos that has happened these past weeks, he has been in Africa overseeing our new branches in some of the countries. Thankfully they are all going well and there have been no issues.“I have missed you, Aurora,” he pulled me into his arms for a hug with his all over my back and shoulder. I felt so open and touched.“I thin
CARINAI could feel a lot of wet surfaces around me, one me. I tried to move but my body didn't let me.The sound of ambulances filled my ears and I couldn't shut it out.“What's happening?!” I yelled but nothing or nobody seems to be giving me an answer.“Aurora,” I called out to the one person who I know will save me but she didn't answer as well.I lifted my fingers up and touched the liquid that was flowing down from my head.“Oh my God,” I cried out, looking at the blood on my fingers. I looked up to see the car above me and my body on the bare floor.“Ma'am, you were just in an accident, don't try to move!” I heard someone yell but I can't tell who it was.“Where is Aurora?” I cried out.“We are getting you out right now,” I couldn't feel a thing but I was brought out of the wreckage of the car.“You need to find my friend,” I said to the person standing about me.“We are doing everything we can ma'am,” she said and I looked at her.“What do you mean by that? Where is Aurora?!”
CARINABoth Andre's voice and Madeline were over each other trying to figure out how to get us out of this mess. How could we have not seen this coming?“This is a total disaster,” I said to both of them, going through the stack of documents on the table.“I was dealing with Kent more than Charles. If I had known he was behind,”“Now is not the time to do that, Andre,” I said, cutting him off, “we have to figure out how to cut off Charles before he does any real damage,” I said to both himself and Madeline.“You need to take it easy though,” Madeline said and I glared at.“Don't tell me that,” my voice sounded harsh. “This is Aurora's baby and I won't let it fall all because everyone is trying to see if I will break instead of doing their damn jobs!” I yelled, standing up from my seat.I walked to the door of the office and stopped, “we need to figure out a hail Mary or else everything goes to shut,” I opened up the door and walked out.Being in Aurora's office isn't doing me any good
AURORAI kept looking at the kids playing, wondering how this is my life right now. I have two lovely children and a third on its way and a husband who loves me with all his heart.Jacob and I decided not to know the sex of the baby like we did the twins. We wanted it to be a surprise for them, to have them grow into the responsibility.“What are you thinking about babe?” I felt an arms wrap around my baby bump. I chuckled and rested on his shoulder.“Just how lucky and grateful I am,’’ I said to him and he turned me around to look at his handsome face.“I am the lucky and grateful one,’’ he said and I chuckled.“We both should be. We survived Katherine, your uncle, our adversaries in each of our companies. We have a lot to be grateful for,’’ I said to him and suddenly his expression changed.“I guess you are right,’’ he kissed my cheeks and led me to the chair and squatted in front of me.“There is something I have to tell you,” he said and I blinked my lashes.“What is it?” I asked
AURORAI opened up my eyes and I could hear the sounds of the machine all around me. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears and I knew that's my anxiety kicking.“Get me out of here,” I yelled at Jacob, who tried to stop me from removing my IV drip.“What are you doing here?” I asked him and he looked surprised at my answer, “you left with her. You chose Katherine. Get away from me!” I yelled, pulling out the needle from my skin.I hissed at the pain I felt and glanced at my skin, “blood,” I whispered and my eyes closed.The beeping sound of the machines continued and all I wanted was to get that sound out of my head.“Aurora,” I heard Madeline's voice over me but I didn't want to open my eyes.“We know you are awake, come on girl,” I felt her hands on my face, wiping away my tears.“I don't want to, I'm scared,” I said with more of the tears flowing down my cheeks.“You are strong babe, you can do this,” she said but I shook my head.“Come on love,” I heard my Mom's voice and I re
AURORAI have been in a moving vehicle for the better part of ten hours. Wherever my captors are taking me, they don't seem to have an idea what they are doing.This can't be LeVert, he won't make such a mistake by hiring amateurs, even if he is doing it by himself. He has enough experience to do it right.Suddenly the vehicle stopped moving, the back of the vehicle opened and I was brought out. One of them was about to speak when the other one shut him up without speaking.I kept my mouth shut, I need to be brave, for myself and for my family. My wedding is in a few hours along with Carina's and there is no way I'm missing it.They tied the blindfold around my eyes even tighter, causing the darkness to engulf me.The rough fabric of the blindfold pressed harder against my eyes, sending a jolt of sharp pain across my temples. Darkness was absolute now, not just the absence of sight but the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. I tried to focus on my breathing, forcing myself to s
JACOB“I can't believe you are getting married!” Braden slammed into me. Trying to ruffle me up a little.“Says the married man,” Andre said to him. It's funny how we are all friends now and we have Aurora to thank for that. She brought all of us together. That's my future wife.“What are you smiling about?” Grey asked me.“You better not be thinking about my sister in some certain way in front of me,” Martin said and we all laughed.I have asked all of them to be mine and Andre best men including Michael, Ryan and Clay. Liam insisted on being the DJ for the service. Right now we are having our bachelor party and having loads of fun. “Thank you for allowing Aurora to do this with Carina,” I said to Andre holding his shoulder.“Are you kidding, Carina will have my head if I don't agree, plus we get to give the world the wedding of the year,” he said and I smiled.“Good man,” I shook his hands and walked towards Grey. “Hey bro,” he turned around and placed his phone in his pocket.“Th
AURORAONE YEAR LATER“What about this?” I walked out of my closet in a black gown filled with diamonds and a white off shoulder handle.“Perfect,” Carina squeaked. I rolled my eyes and walked deeper into the room.“People see me on this, they might think tonight is my rehearsal dinner,” I said to the soon to be bride.“Oh come on, you are the chief bridesmaid, you are meant to dress as elegant as the bride,” Aubrey said, adding her own wisdom to the situation.“Well, apart from that, I will think you guys are just playing dress up with me for me to impress Jacob,” I said to them and they both laughed.“Why are you laughing?” I asked them.“Nothing, just remembering how you blunted out I love you to him,” Carina said, still laughing. I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my blushing face.“Aubrey smirked, “Oh Aurora, you were so abstract about it. It feels like you have been bottling that emotion.”“Maybe I was. I guess my body moved before my mind,” I said to her.“And your timing couldn'
AURORA“Okay, alright. Be safe,” I said and hanged up the call.“Is everything alright?” Carina asked me. I looked at her with my puffy eyes. I can't believe I asked her to move her wedding date all because of LeVert. I feel so sad and heartbroken.“No, don't do that,” she said, hugging me. “Everything will work out. We just need to protect Anna and Mary and we all will be safe.”“But your wedding…”“Can wait,” Andre said, standing beside her. “We all need to be together right now.” He took my hands and I nodded.“Okay,” I exhaled, wiping my face with my other hand. “Let's do this then.”“The girls are pulling up,” Aubrey said to me. We raced towards the car to stop the paparazzi from taking pictures of them.“How come there are so many paparazzi?” Madeline asked as we moved through the crowd.“LeVert probably called them here to witness whatever he had planned,” I said to her.We finally got to the car and help Linda protect the girls from the cameras.“Aunt Aurora,” Anna and Mary hu
JACOB“What does Christina has to do with any of these?” I asked her.“I'm sure you heard from your stepbrother, Grey?” She asked.“Lara, what are you doing?” Aurora asked her. “Grey is not to be trusted.”“I was the one who told Grey to meet with you,” she said looking at me. “He is trying to make amends. You should let him.” I looked at Aurora, who just shrugged her shoulders.“So what about Christina?” Amy asked, standing in front of her. “You can't just drop a bombshell like that and not say anything to it.”“I was getting to it,” she handed her USB drive to Liam, “here, input it to the system,” Liam looks at me hesitant to do it. “Do it Liam,” I nodded.”A lot of files displayed on the bug screen. “These are all of the operations I could find that can be linked to LeVert, including serial killing of high profile women.” “Which one involves my step mom?” I asked, and a more detailed document displayed on the screen.“Wait,” Aurora scoffed. “You have this much evidence and LeVert
JACOBI kept pacing around, it's been almost two hours since Aurora left and she isn't back yet.“Martin is with her,” Madeline said to me, “he won't let anything happen to her.”“But if he can't,” I said and she looked confused. “Whatever is going on is beyond his power,” she sighed and shook her head.“Hey, you have to think good thoughts bro,” Amy said, holding my shoulder. “Aurora didn't come this far to give up or jeopardize everything.”“She is right, J,” Braden whispered, standing beside me. “You have to be able to trust Aurora, trust that she knows what she is doing,” he said and scoffed, “because she has been doing this long before she returned back to her life.”“I just want to protect her, want to keep her safe,” I said to him.“I know bro, but she got this and you know it.”I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down, even though every fiber of my being screamed to go after her. Braden was right, though. Aurora had proven time and again that she could handle herself.
AURORA“Thought I would recognize you?” I asked her.“Hoped,” she said, jerking her hands from Martin who was still looking shocked.“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked her with gritted teeth.“I don't know, hiding from my brother,” she said and I scoffed.“You are not that bumped into me,” I said to her. “You were at the precinct.”“No, you only saw me at the precinct when I came out, not before,” she said and I looked at Martin.“I will prove it to you,” she said and I turned to her.“How?” I asked, folding my hands. She tried to move but Martin stopped her. “Let her go, Martin. She knows she needs us,” Captain Marlow scoffed and walked deeper into the room.“Here,” she placed a material over her head and I could see the face of the woman we saw in the CCTV camera video.“Unbelievable,” I whispered. “Have you seen something like this before?” I asked Martin.“Heard of it but haven't seen one this real,” he said as Captain Marlow took it off.“Spent almost all the money I co
AURORA“You know he is just scared for you,” Martin turned around in the car and said to me.“If you are referring to Jacob then don't. I don't need a lecture right now,” I said and he sighed.“He just wants to protect,” I glared at him and he raised his hands in defense. “That's all I'm going to say,” he turned around facing the traffic.“I have been on my own for a while, I can handle myself,” I said out loud.“I thought you guys have moved past that?” Martin asked me.“Move past what?” I asked, feeling confused.“Move past what he did almost ten years ago?” He asked and I sighed.“We have but he has to know that I didn't have him or you protecting me then and I was still able to survive Copper and being kidnapped,” I said to him.“I get that but he is here now and from the look of things he wants to protect you at all cost.”“Why do you think I brought Michael with us?” I asked and Micheal smiled. “At least Michael can report to him if anything happens.”“We are here, Miss Aurora,”
AURORA“Hey,” I kissed Jacob on the lips as I took off my jacket.“I miss you,” he said, kissing my neck. I bit my lips smiling.“I know but we have work to do,” I pushed him slightly and walked over to the workstation he had set up in his penthouse.“Are you sure this place is secure?” Martin asked him as he walked in.“Yes, nobody knows about this place, not even Christina,” he said and I sighed.“Does Grey know about this place?” I asked him, for a while he has been having a blind spot when it comes to his step brother.“Jacob?” I called his name when I noticed he was hesitant to answer the question.“Yes he does,” he said and I dropped my hands loudly against my laps.“Why would you do such a thing? Grey is not to be trusted,” I said to him.“Look, Grey might have done a lot of things in the past but he helped us back in my airport.”“Or he brought you there to set you up along with Martin,” Braden said.“I agree with Braden,” Amy said and Jacob glared at her.“Don't do that, they