"What?"

The word came out as a broken whisper, her fingers shaking tremendously, "Is that true?" The question was directed at Matt who seemed hellbent on avoiding her stare.


"Well, we've heard of how much dates you two have been going on and the secretive meetings as well," Her father piped up and she shot him a glare.

William decided to pitch in, offering her a warm grin, "There's no need to hide it from us, dear, we know that you and Matt have been seeing each other behind our backs. We simply decided to speed up the process."

Aunty Clara nodded. Her father laughed and her mother still had a calculative look on her face although it was masked by a grin. She returned her gaze back to Matt whose attention was still fixated on the ground.


She shook her head in an annoyed manner and threw the napkin on the table. Aurora shot to her feet and walked away without another word but not before hearing someone say,

"I'll talk to her."


She didn't stop walking, not even when she headed the footsteps close on her heels. Aurora didn't stop until she was outside, the night wind blowing against her skin. She hadn't even realized how suffocated she felt until now,

"Aurora-"

She jerked away when she felt the tips of his icy fingers graze her elbows, "Don't touch me," She hissed, swiveling to face him.

"Rory-"

"Don't call me that either. Are you out of your mind?!" She huffed, throwing her arms in a frustrated manner, "Why would you agree to that stupid arrangement?! You're obviously in love with someone else."

"But I cannot marry her!" The emotion in his voice shocked her and she jerked a little, "It doesn't matter what I feel for whom, our parents are right. We were bound to each other from the beginning."

She shook her head, "No, I won't be forced into a loveless marriage. I won't."

"If I don't marry you then it will be some other prissy entitled girl, the same goes for you. I'd rather spend the rest of my life with a friend than someone who I can barely stand."

Matt grabbed her arms and she fell silent. His golden eyes, much like his mother's, bored into her own. Aurora realized why she had been so in love with him, Matt Traynor had a prince charming look to him. With wavy brunette curls that framed the front of his face and piercing hazel eyes, his immaculate jawline and plush lips were enough to make even the most rigid of girl's swoon.

He was like those heroes that were described in fairytales, golden and charming. Very much unlike a particular dark and brooding beauty.

Aurora mentally slapped herself in the head, why was she thinking of him in this moment?

"This is my punishment and I accept it. I didn't realize your affections towards me and I treated you like shit," He shook his head, a painted expression flashing on his face, "I deserve this and I promise to treat you with all the love you deserve."

Aurora's heart dropped and she felt mentally weak, "So you're marrying me out of obligation?"

"I-"

She pushed his hands away, "It's okay, I don't need your explanation. I won't let this marriage hold, even if it's the last thing I do." Aurora retorted harshly, her nails digging into her flesh.

He tried to say something but she turned her face away, refusing to listen. Matt let out a weary sigh, thankfully he said nothing else.

The dinner came to an end after they walked back into the restaurant. She'd begrudgingly hugged Matt's parents goodbye and during the entire ride home, she hadn't said a word not even when her father tried to crack a joke to lighten the air.

When they returned, she was the first to get down and sauntered into the house. She had already climbed several steps when her mother called out to her,

"You know we're doing this for your own good, right?"

She bit down on her lips, slowly turning to face the woman, "My good?" She hated the way her voice wobbled, "Don't give that spiel, every decision you've taken for me is because of your own selfish desires."

"And who else would you have me marry you to!" Her mother cut in harshly, walking towards her, "Matt is the only one I'm assured would take care you-"

"Did you even take his own needs into consideration?"

"He agreed to this."

"Only because you probably swayed him to."

Miriam fell silent and she scoffed. She was right then, her mother had a hand in Matt's decision. Aurora shook her head disappointedly,

"I'm ashamed of you."

Miriam's eyes flashed and before she could blink, her fingers had found its way to her cheek, sharp nails digging into the skin,

"Ashamed?" Miriam questioned in a taunting tone, "Well, I'm not. Everything I've done, every action I've taken, I did them because of you," Her nails dug deeper and Aurora winced, "You might not see it now but later, you will thank me. Besides I know that you've been in love with Matt for a long time, why are you acting like this is what you want?"

Their gazes speared each other, neither willing to back down. Miriam moved first, releasing her hold on Aurora's face,

"Go to sleep, you have school tomorrow," She dusted the sides of her skirt and began walking downwards.

Aurora hated herself the more when a lone tear slipped from her eyes, dropping on her collarbone. She watched her mother dissapear down the corner, heading towards the kitchen.

When she was finally gone, Aurora allowed herself to fall to the ground, clutching the bars of the staircase like it was a lifeline.

What was wrong with her? Wasn't this her lifelong dream?

She'd always wanted to wed Matt for as long as she could remember. So, when had that ideal started to change?

Why did it now hurt so much to imagine being by his side for the rest of her life?

She shook her head, hating that she was so miserable having no idea of what she actually wanted. Her mother always had the final say, whether it was what she desired or not. Aurora repeatedly asked herself, every single night before she went to sleep;

How long was she going to continue being steered by her mother's wills?