CHAPTER ONE. UNEXPECTED.

Was it pain? She asked herself. No, it couldn’t be. She knew pain; she had felt it over and over again that it was like a sister to her more than her real sister ever was.

Aurora had become accustomed to the pain and she had developed a certain numbness that made her feel like she had immunity to pain. So she was sure, it wasn’t pain.

But whatever it was, it made her heart tingle. Maybe it was anger or maybe it was disappointment. It had to be a disappointment. After all these years, her father had no love for her. She always thought that he kept her in the house because deep down he had some fatherly feelings for her. Oh boy was she wrong? Feelings? What feelings could a man like her father even have for her?

She couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t even hesitate to throw out of the house once his favorite daughter and wife lied to her.

Her eyes watered, but she couldn’t, she wouldn’t shed a tear. They weren’t worth her tears. She never cried after years of the bullying and taunts of her stepmother. Flogged, slapped, abused emotionally and physically, she never cried. So why should she cry because her father never cared for her?

Apart from blood and water that flowed through her veins, a burning sensation of revenge coursed through her veins.

Staying in that mansion and seeing everything she deserved being snatched away from her made her grow an indescribable sense of hatred she always managed to ignore. But now, she was going to let that hatred and fury fuel her cause.

As she walked on the road with her bloodshot eyes and nothing but her worn-out bag, the only thing she managed to sneak out of, the rain started pouring heavily. Aurora didn’t know if the heavens were adding misery to her already hard life or if they were blessing her plans. Whichever one it was, she wasn’t going to let anyone stop her or stand in her way.

The people she cared about had either died, like her grandmother and mother or they had left her, like Nana Clarisse. Then her best friend….. Forget it, she wouldn’t remember such painful things.

She was going to make the Devanes pay a very hefty price and take back everything that was hers, no matter what. She was going to make the world know the true faces behind this deceptive family.

Every drop of blood they took from her, she was going to take triple of it from them.

Rory was kind…..to an extent and very patient. Patient enough to know every flower blooms in its own time. But like her kindness, her patience was also limited.

She understood that slow and steady never won the race. Realistically, the dog was faster than the tortoise and there was no reason for the dog not to win, however, the tortoise was more cunning so it won. That was what her understanding of patience was restricted to.

So lost in her thoughts, that she didn’t hear the sound of the car coming behind her. The car behind her also didn’t see anyone because of the rain.

Bam!

The car hit Rory and she rolled from the bumper down to the opposite end of the car to land on the floor.

“Sir, I think we hit something or… someone” The middle-aged chauffeur informed his boss. He was unsure. If it were a person, that would be very troublesome.

“Then what are you waiting for? Go check” The boss instructed his driver, impatiently.

The driver came down and went behind the car, to see a young girl lying on the floor, struggling to stay awake and covered in blood.

“Sir we hit someone!” He exclaimed.

The person in the back seat, who was in his early sixties came down from the car too. He didn’t look his age. Even with the rain falling, one could tell he wasn’t an ordinary person.

Because when he heard they hit someone, he was still very calm.

Aurora wanted to close her eyes. She wanted to sleep. The day had been a long day for her. From being accused of pushing her half-sister off the stairs to being thrown out of her house and getting hit by a car, she wanted to so badly fall asleep.

She was gradually losing consciousness.

“Carry her. We’ll take her to the hospital. Hurry up!”

Rory couldn’t make out who was speaking or what was being said, however, she felt safe and she finally passed out.

***

Her whole body ached and any slight movement felt like she fell down a cliff-not like she knew the feeling. She struggled to open her eyes and when she finally did, the light overwhelmed her, and she winced in pain and shut it back almost immediately.

After blinking and adjusting to the light, she opened it. Everything was blurry, then she blinked and it became clear.

“Where am I?” She asked herself.

Everywhere was white and there was a machine beside her, beeping.

Was she in a hospital?

Her attempt to get up was wasted, because the sharp pain in her right leg made her scream in pain.

Just then, the doctor walked in with a nurse behind him.

“Don’t try to sit up or even stand. Your right leg is in a bad shape. You need to undergo surgery”

“Surgery?” That is what Rory would have said if her voice wasn’t squeaky. She would have been afraid, but she knew why her voice was like that. She must have been in the hospital and asleep for a long time.

“It’s okay. You’ve been asleep for about three days now.” The doctor explained and Rory nodded. The nurse holding a notepad, gave Rory a glass of water, which she accepted gratefully, and helped her drink it. She didn’t even realize how thirsty she had been.

“As I was saying, your tibia is shattered not just from the accident. It’s been like that for a while, is what we have noticed. We suggest doing a bone graft”

“I know. Can I hold off the surgery for a while?” Her voice was hoarse.

“I don’t advise that. It’s an old fracture. The more you hold off the surgery, the more difficult it would be to heal it.” The doctor expected her to show signs of fear, but her dark blue sparkly eyes revealed calmness. It was like she already knew all these things.

“Like I said, I know. When can I be discharged?” It wasn’t a question. The doctor noticed. She didn’t want to have the surgery now. She wanted to leave the hospital, ASAP.

“Miss….”

“Rory”

“Miss Rory, I don’t think that this is-“

“Doctor, when can I be discharged?” She interrupted him and asked again. This time more techy.

“Miss Rory.” He called out grimly.

He was in his early forties, with grey hair. His hair was gelled back professionally. He seemed like a nice person who genuinely cared. She wasn’t a difficult person. But now was not the time for all of that. She needed to do things.

She sighed and said placidly, “I know you are doing your job, but I can’t stay here for much longer. I’ll have the surgery, but not now. Please.”

The doctor wanted to say more but decided against it.

“We’ll watch you today and tomorrow and if all goes well, by the end of the week you’ll be discharged. Just don’t put too much pressure on your leg” He warned her. She was a very beautiful girl. However, she looked malnourished. She reminded him of his daughter.

Rory nodded at his words.

“Oh and one more thing” He did a check-up. After he was done, he wanted to leave the room.

The doctor turned back around when he remembered something important.

“An old man brought you here. He gave me his card to give you. He would have stayed, but he had something to attend to”

“He was the one that hit me, right?” She asked.

“Yes.” He handed over the card in his pocket to her.

***

The doctor wanted to discharge her by the end of the week, however, she insisted on leaving the next day.

She knew about her leg, so she wasn’t worried about it. It’s just the accident that made it worse. Having been used to it, she didn’t dwell on the issue any longer.

She hung her back over her shoulder. The bag contained ten thousand dollars she managed to save from the lousy allowance her father had given her over the years.

She didn’t want to accept it, but for the sake of keeping up her appearance, he gave her an allowance and sent her to school. She sneered. Even the school was a terrible private school that had no facilities and the teachers had no interest in teaching. They didn’t even have a teaching degree.

Her thoughts were put to an abrupt stop when she sensed something was off.

She surveyed her surroundings but saw no one.

Strange. She thought.

She kept walking, hoping to hail a cab. However, the feeling still didn’t wear off. She quickened her pace.

Even if she was just paranoid, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

She cautiously turned back and saw a man behind her wearing a black hoodie.

Then their eyes met. The man suddenly smirked. The kind of smirk that told you to fear for your life and Rory made a run for it.

However, it seemed like he wasn’t the only one. Immediately she ran, four other men ones she could see- went after her.

She kept running until she met a dead end.

“Fuck! A dead end!” She was about to lose her mind.

“That’s right, sweetie. It’s a dead end for you.” The voice sent shivers down her spine. It was evil and creepy.

She ignored the pain in her legs and her unsteady heartbeat and turned around to face the men, calmly.

The men were stunned at how beautiful she looked. She had blue eyes that sparkled in the scorching sun. Her face was round but had no flesh. She was very thin. But that only made her look like a little kid.

“Who sent you?” She asked cautiously.

“It doesn’t matter, because you,” one of the men brought out a pocket knife, “you will go and meet your maker very soon”

They were five and they formed an arc in front of her.

The man in the middle seemed like a leader and spoke up.

“She’s very beautiful don’t you think? She’s just not fleshy, but having someone this beautiful to accompany you for the night would be a pleasure. What’d you say, little girl? Spend a night with me and my men and I won’t kill ya?” They all looked at her like prey, with lust visible in their eyes. They were utterly disgusting.

“Over my dead body.” She said in the coldest and most disgusting voice she could muster.

She spat at the boss’s face.

The boss used his finger to swipe the spit and licked it.

“Delicious” Rory almost puked.

“As you wish little girl” One of the men, the shortest started coming towards her with his knife and wanted to slash her face, but Rory dodged. She took off her bag and hit him in the face with great force.

“You bitch! You’ll pay for this!” Another goon shouted in anger.

She didn’t waste time and kicked another man, who wanted to grab her, in the balls.

Surprised that she did that, Rory used that to bolt.

They were right behind her and her legs were growing weaker. She started limping until she came to a car park and saw only one car- a black Maybach

Without thinking, she opened the door entered the back seat, and sat down. She was surprised that the car was even unlocked.

She started panting heavily. Rory didn't even notice that someone else was in the car.

She was still busy calming her heart down.

It wasn't until she heard a cold voice beside her say, “Get out”

She turned her head to the side and was stunned. She hadn't seen a lot of men in her life, but this man was way too handsome.

He had grey orbs and hair as black as the night. He wore an Armani suit and sat cross-leg, like the king of the world. He had a high nose bridge, a well-defined jaw, and eyebrows sharp as knives. Then his eyelashes were long and curly, it made her envious. That was the only thing feminine in his body and they fit him for perfectly. His legs were long and he had an aura that made everyone cower in his presence.

Even Rory, who wasn't scared of anything, couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by his presence.

“I said get out.” He repeated with no sympathy in his voice.

He watched the girl’s face beside him change from awe to disbelief.

She was very beautiful. He admitted. And he had seen a lot of beautiful women. But she stood out. Her hair was in a very messy bun, with strands falling down her face. Her round face was flushed red from running.

She was wearing worn-out sneakers, with her hoodie being small for her and torn and her joggers were tight and were far above her ankles. Yet she still looked like ethereal.

“Boss, I think she ran to the car pack!” She heard the voice of one of the goons. The glass was unfortunately not tinted and she saw them approaching the car.

When they arrived at the car door, she grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him in for a kiss.