Aurora stood in the kitchen, her hand submerged in cool water, desperately trying to soothe the burning sensation. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her mind spun with thoughts of despair. Life had only gotten worse for her. She had believed that her previous life under under Thomas's roof was unbearable, but now it seemed that being Xavier's wife offered no respite.Lost in her thoughts and the throbbing pain in her hand, Aurora was startled by the sound of the door opening. Maggie entered the kitchen with a sigh. "I'm back my dear, do you need any....," she remarked, but her voice trailed off as her eyes immediately fell upon Aurora's injured hand. Concern etched on her face, she hurried over to her side."OMG! What happened, dear?" Maggie asked, worry lacing her voice. "Did you burn yourself?"Aurora sniffled, blinking away tears, and replied, "Ummm."Y-yes, it was j-just some b-boiling w-water. I a-accidentally spilled it o-on my h-hand when I p-picked up the pan."Maggie's exp
Aurora lifted her gaze, meeting Xavier's intense eyes. For a brief moment, they locked onto each other, a silent conversation passing between them. William's gaze bore into his son, causing Xavier's face to twist into a grimace.'Damn it. I really don't feel like dealing with anyone right now, especially Dad' he thought.Xavier had noticed his father's tendency to check up on him more frequently lately, often under the guise of work-related matters. Today, however, he had shown up at his home with Angela in tow.William, sensing a possible deception, spoke up skeptically, ""Are you sure it was just an accident?"As Xavier listened to his father's words, his small smile faded, and he regarded him with a somber expression. Though he knew his father was correct in his assumption, he would never admit it. "What exactly are you suggesting, Dad?" he asked, his tone growing terse as he locked eyes with William. "Exactly what I said" William replied with suspicion."It was an accident. I
Angela playfully nudged Aurora. "And I have a feeling you and I will become the best of friends in no time."Aurora's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but beneath the blush, a genuine sense of happiness bloomed. For the first time in her life, someone seemed to genuinely want to be her friend.Aurora stood speechless.Angela glanced at her with feigned sadness, pretending to clutch her heart and pout. "Oh, you don't want to be my friend?" she teased.Aurora's stuttering voice betrayed her emotions as she replied, "Y-yes... I do, m-more t-than anything." Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought of finally having a friend. It was a longing she had carried for so long, suppressed by the strict rules imposed by Uncle William.Angela pulled Aurora into a warm embrace, her arms enveloping her in a comforting hug. "You're absolutely adorable, you know that?" she murmured, her voice filled with genuine affection.As Xavier observed the genuine affection between his sister and Aurora, a su
Xavier attempted to bury himself in a stack of business documents, but his focus was split between the papers on his desk and the persistent thoughts of a certain woman who had been monopolizing his mind lately.Despite his best efforts to concentrate on the task at hand, Aurora's presence continued to occupy his mind, disrupting his focus and causing a cascade of distractions. Xavier found himself grappling with conflicting emotions, frustrated by the intrusion of thoughts about her when he should be focusing on his business affairs.Her wounded hand and the lie about never having a mobile before continued to replay in his mind like a broken record. It seemed unlikely to him that someone in this day and age could go without a mobile phone, especially considering what he knew about her. She seemed manipulative and driven by material things and money, making her claims dubious at best.Xavier couldn't shake off the feeling that Aurora was up to something.He was determined to unveil
In the dark abyss of her nightmare, Aurora's body convulsed, trapped in the grip of a nightmare. Her head thrashed violently side to side, caught in a struggle between heavy eyelids and the merciless brightness beyond. The fog of unconsciousness clung stubbornly, as if reluctant to release her into the waking world.In the clutches of the frightening nightmare, Aurora fought desperately to break free. Gasping for air, she felt a chilling awareness that her breath had abandoned her. Panic surged with each painful throb, a harsh reminder of the nightmare's suffocating grip.A haunting flashback plunged her into the vortex of her past. A young Aurora, Teddy clutched tightly, sought solace as the nightmare reenacted the stormy chaos of the car ride. Rain relentlessly pounded the vehicle, as it pirouetted in a chaotic dance, swaying precariously from side to side. In the confined space, Aurora's ears caught fragments of her mother's worried whispers, a desperate plea intertwining with the
THREE DAYS LATERWilliam Knight sat behind his expansive mahogany desk, surrounded by an air of authority that matched the luxuriousness of his office. His piercing blue eyes scanned through the files before him, his mind engrossed in the intricate details of his business empire. The weight of responsibility pressed upon his shoulders, but he reveled in the power and control it afforded him.Just as he was about to delve deeper into the papers, his assistant's voice broke the silence, filtering through the intercom on his desk. "Mr. Knight, Dr. Ross is here to see you. Shall I send him in?"William paused for a moment, his mind racing to recall the name. Dr. Ross... Dr. Ross... Then, like a flicker of recognition, a memory surfaced. Marcus, his dear friend and mentor, had spoken of a young man whom he had taken under his wing, paying for his education and paving the way for his success. This must be the same person."Of course," William replied, his voice laced with curiosity. "Send h
As the evening sun dipped below the skyline, Xavier Knight strolled out of his opulent office, leaving behind the realm of high-powered meetings and multimillion-dollar deals. The grandeur of the building seemed to shrink in comparison to his larger-than-life presence. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit that exuded authority, he moved with a confident stride, commanding the attention of everyone who crossed his path.Awaiting him at the curb was the valet, a deferential figure in a crisply pressed uniform. With precision, the valet handed Xavier the glistening keys to his Ferrari, a masterpiece of Italian engineering, its crimson finish reflecting the fading daylight.The night air was a symphony of sensations as Xavier slipped into the sleek sports car. The city buzzed with energy, and the warm, humid breeze carried a hint of intrigue. As he revved the engine, the thrum of power surged through the car, and the intoxicating scent of possibility enveloped him, promising an evening fi
"Where the hell are my work clothes? They should have been washed, ironed, and hanging in my wardrobe by now. You know that," Thomas bellowed at Aurora, his anger palpable as he closed in on her personal space. Before she could explain that she had already completed the task he demanded, he lashed out and delivered a stinging slap across her face. Aurora crumpled to the floor from the force of the blow, cradling her burning left cheek with her hand. She could already feel the telltale signs of the heat and tingling, warning her of the bruise that would inevitably follow."I d-did, Uncle T-Thomas. It is o-on the c-couch in y-your room," she stuttered out, trying to hold back tears."Are you calling me a liar?" he hissed, leaning down and invading her personal space. His breath reeked of strong coffee, making her flinch. Aurora looked up from the floor, her hand still pressed to her throbbing cheek, and saw his face twisted with anger. One raised eyebrow and crossed arms conveyed his di