The next morning, she woke up with a groan, her eyes snapped open and for a moment she was confused. When the memories of the previous night hit her, a lazy smile crawled up her lips. She moaned softly, trying to stand but it was futile.

Ryan's large arms were around her frame and she was tightly snuggled into his warm chest. Aurora would be a liar if she said she didn't enjoy the way their bodies were perfectly molded together. She suddenly wished she could stay there even if it was for this morning but knew that it couldn't be possible.


She had to get back home before her parents issued an amber alert.

So, she sneakily wiggled away from his hold all the while trying not to wake him. When her legs hit the floor, she let out a relieved breath, turning to face him. He'd taken to snuggling the pillow instead, the sound of his quiet snores bringing another smile to her lips.

"Good morning, handsome," She whispered, leaning forward to press a kiss on his forehead.


Aurora moved quickly, sliding on her underwear first and then her dress. She fixed her hair and makeup using the mirror, decided to brush her teeth when she got back home but she swished a little of the mouthwash she found in his bathroom.

As she headed towards the door, her heels and purse in hand, she threw one last look over her shoulder at him. Thankfully, he was still sound asleep. Aurora held her breath as she slowly pulled open the door and snuck out.


The drive to her family's mansion was spent thinking about what way was the best to enter. She thought about using the tree to get to her window but the gardener was probably awake and would found it weird if he saw her trying to climb a tree. Besides, the last time she tried it, she'd almost lost a tooth.

The back door was also out of option since it was still quite early and was locked, unless Rosa or one of the maids had gotten up quicker than usual. She wasn't going to risk it.

There was only one place left to enter. The front door it was.

She paid the taxi and rushed down the cobbled pathway, the sound of her heels clicking against the concrete. Aurora tipped her chin confidently, clutching her purse close as she pushed the door open.

It made way for her with ease and she frowned. If it was open then someone was definitely awake.

Aurora sucked in a tight breath and walked in, her eyes were fixed on the steps as she rushed forward. Just a little. Just a few more steps and she would get to the safety of her room.

"And where do you think you're rushing to, young lady?"

She staggered to a stop, her nails digging into the material of her purse. Aurora cursed under her breath and shut her eyes,

Why did she always get rotten luck?

Her eyes snapped back open and she slowly, very slowly, turned to face her mother, smiling brightly.

"Good morning, mom," Her eyes fell on the other person present and her smile fell, "Dad?"

Harry Rochester grinned in greeting, raising the coffee mug in his hold like he was giving a toast.

Oh boy.

She tried to hide the trepidation she was currently feeling and stalked forward. Her eyes flickered towards the empty seat across from hers,

"Evan has gone on a business trip," Her mother provided, probably seeing the look on her face, it was hard for the woman to miss anything.

Aurora frowned, "A business trip?" That was new.

Miriam nodded, her auburn hair bobbing with the motion, "Yes, now back to you," Aurora stiffened, her mind racing with a thousand excuses to give her, "I heard Matt took you on a date last night."

For a moment, she was struck dumb. Her brows furrowing together, "How did you-"

"I'm your mother, it's obvious I know everything going on in your life," Miriam answered in a tone that was ought to make Aurora feel dumb.

But for once, she didn't. Her mother thought she knew everything about her when it was the exact opposite.

"Oh," She provided quietly.

Miriam nodded again, dropping the teacup on the table, "So you slept at his place then?"

"Yes," She drawled out, expecting the reprimanding that was coming.

But to her surprise, her mother smiled brightly, clapping her hands together, "Good, that's wonderful."

Her frown only deepened, "It is?"

"Of course, you and Matt should spend quality time together, even if it means sleeping over and doing other adult things."

She couldn't help the disgust that settled. Her mother was a crazy woman and she didn't want to start understanding her.

If lying would get the woman off her back then it was safe she thought that she spent the night a Matt's place.

"Can I-umm, go now?"

"Of course," Her mother waved, the smile on her face widening, "You should get your rest."

Aurora rushed out before she would change her mind. As she hurried into her room, she couldn't help the niggling feeling that stuck at her.

Miriam Rochester had something up her sleeves once again, why else would she be okay with Aurora spending the night at another man's place?

Her mother wouldn't even let her go for a sleepover if her life depended on it. But she was suddenly okay since it was Matt?

She shrugged it off, maybe it was because they were essentially family and her mother saw them as close childhood friends. That would explain her reaction.

She stumbled to her boudoir and pulled the dresser open, in search of a pill that could help lessen the migraine that she was suddenly feeling.

Her eyes fell on something, it was a white parchment and she knew instantly what it was. Aurora grabbed it and flipped it over, the scandalous image staring back at her.

Evan.

Her mother had said that he went on a business trip. This was a good time as any to dig deeper into his life. She had to find something incriminating, something that was enough to push him out of their lives.

Her fingers squeezed the photograph, crumpling the paper between her fist. If he thought she was just going to sit back and watch him play whatever cruel game he had planned, then he was a fool.

She was Aurora Rochester after all and she'd be damned if she went down without a fight.