CHAPTER FOUR!

AURORA

I 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 and peered outside. A stunning garden stretched out before me, with vibrant flowers in full bloom and meticulously trimmed hedges. A fountain bubbled in the center, surrounded by benches and stone pathways.

I spotted a door across the room and cautiously approached it. Taking a deep breath, I turned the handle and stepped out into a grand hallway. The walls were lined with more artwork, and elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow. I had no idea where I was or how I had gotten here, but one thing was certain – this was no prison.

As I wandered down the hallway, my mind raced with questions. Who had brought me here? And why? I needed answers, and I needed them soon.

“Looking for answers?” I heard a smug masculine voice behind me.

“Stay back,” I defended myself with my hands in front of me, but with the size of the man in front of me, he could easily take me out if he wanted to.

Although Jacob is more built than him. Dammit! I can't believe I'm still thinking about him, even after everything.

“I'm not here to hurt you,” his voice echoed in my thoughts.

“Then why am I here?” I asked.

“You are here because you belong here,” he said, and I looked at him, confused.

“What do you mean by belonging here? I'm supposed to be in prison.”

“In prison?” He asked, looking at me, confused by my words.

“I am supposed to be in prison. I'm supposed to serve my time,” I said.

“Your time?” He asked, “You are not supposed to serve any time or be in prison. You are innocent.”

I was shocked at his words. “How do you know that?” I asked.

“Are you not innocent?” He asked, moving closer to me.

I moved backward, and he raised his hands up and moved backward as well.

“I am innocent,” I said.

“Then why are you insisting on going back?”

“So I can get my life back. I serve my time, and I get my life back.”

“What if you can get your life back and not serve any time? Not be in prison?”

I scoffed. “That's not possible,” I said.

“It is when you realize who you really are,” a woman's voice spoke, and she walked toward me along with an older man.

“Who are you people?” I asked, getting scared.

“Aurora—”

“How do you know my name?” I cut him off.

“Everything will be explained soon. These are my parents, who are also your parents.”

I looked at him, shocked, and then at the older couple in front of me.

I was stunned and lost for words, looking at the woman who is my mother and also my father.

“How do I know this is true?” I asked.

The woman came forward and handed me a piece of paper.

I looked at it and gasped. It was a birth certificate, and my name was on it: Aurora Grace Clinton.

I held the paper. “Grace,” I whispered.

I looked at my mother, who had a lot of love in her eyes right now, and I looked at the paper.

In the mother's section, her name was written as Vanessa.

“Vanessa, Mom?” something in me needed to run into her embrace but instead I cried out.

“Where have you been?” I asked, still crying.

“I'm right here now. I'm right here, sweetheart,” she tried moving towards me but I moved backwards.

“This is your father, Daniel, and adoptive brother, Spencer.” she pointed to the older man beside her.

“Adoptive?” I asked.

“Yeah, after we lost you, we adopted Spencer, who was five years old at the time,” my father said.

“How old was I, and how did you lose me?” I asked.

“You were a baby,” my mother said, “and that story should be for another time.”

I looked at her deeply. I could tell that remembering the incident was bringing up sad memories for her but I need to know.

“No,” I insisted, “I want to know. I need to know. You said you lost me. How?” I demanded answers. I could hear it in my voice.

“You were kidnapped,” my father said.

I gasped at his words, “why?” I asked.

“We haven't been able to figure it out,” He said. “We looked for you and found out about you years ago.”

“What!” I was shocked, “then why didn't you come for me? Why didn't you reach out?”

“We thought you were happy and didn't want to ruin it,” my mother said.

I looked at my father and my brother. But Spencer had a look on his face I couldn't quite understand, and I can't help but feel I'm missing something, but right now, I just want to know my family.

“We are sorry we didn't reach out on time. But we are here now and we want to get to know you and be a family again. All of us,” my father said.

“But there is a lot of hindrance,” my mother said.

“Yeah, I know. My prison time.” I sighed.

“Which I will personally take care of,” my father, Daniel, said.

“How? The evidence against me is lock-tight. There is no way you can turn it around.” I gave my opinion.

“It will be better if you don't know how that will happen,” Spencer said.

“Yes,” Mother chipped in, “Right now, all you need to be focused on is taking over the company,” she said.

“Company?” I asked, shocked.

“Yes, The Clinton Empire,” my mother said.

“Em–empire?” I stammered.

“Yes, after you are well-rested, we will be introducing you to the company and the world as our daughter.”

“Clinton Empire?” I said as I walked away toward the window.

I never knew my name held such power. Such words put together, and it was mine.

“What if I'm not ready? I have been through a lot lately,” I said, remembering the events of the last few days.

“Then you shall take your time,” Vanessa said.

“Mom!” Spencer objected immediately.

“She will take her time,” she said without looking at him.

“And I'm not talking about a few days or weeks or months. I will need to learn what it takes to run an empire and what is needed. I will take my time.”

“We totally understand.” My father held my shoulder while my mother held my hands.

I sighed and stared at the artwork in front of me.

I could feel power rising inside of me. With this new power, I will raise my company to heights it has never seen, and everyone who has ever crossed me or who would cross me will pay for it.

For I am Aurora Grace Clinton.