CHAPTER 57Aurelia
Aurelia
Aurelia jolted awake at the sound of the front door bursting open, followed by the unmistakable thunder of Levi’s footsteps charging through the house like an excited child on Christmas morning.
“It’s time for the grand reveal, Auri!” he called, his voice booming with delight.
Blinking against the haze of sleep, she sat up straighter right before he appeared in the doorway, theatrically bowing at the waist and gesturing toward the stairs like some gallant knight.
She rolled her eyes, but the playful gesture couldn’t hide the warmth spreading through her chest at the sight of him.
This was the Levi she had dreamed of.
Ever since their conversation that brought apologies and painful truths, he had been different. Whatever chains had bound him before had fallen away, leaving him lighter and happier.
This man—this smiling, vibrant, free man—was the husband she had fallen for.
A soft smile curved her lips as she lifted her arms toward him in silent request. Levi was at her side in an instant, his hands gentle and steady as he helped her rise and carefully guided her up the stairs.
And when they reached the top, her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes widened at the sight.
The space had been utterly transformed.
What was once a neglected attic was now a stunning, polished second story that felt like an extension of their hearts, not just their home.
Three modest-sized but beautifully finished bedrooms sat tucked beneath the charming, sloped ceilings, each thoughtfully furnished and designed, though one housed Levi’s drum set.
The new full bathroom mirrored their master bath below, but with the added indulgence of a separate soaking tub and double vanity—luxurious and perfectly suited for whatever future their home might hold.
But it was the final room that stole her breath.
The office. Or rather, their office.
She stepped through the doorway and felt the world stop.
It was simply perfect.
Positioned directly above their bedroom, the room opened onto a small private balcony overlooking the shimmering lagoon. Morning light would flood this space, and at night, the soft glimmer of water would cast rippling reflections across the walls.
Two long, dark wood desks sat opposite each other, flanked by built-in cabinetry and towering shelves that stretched toward the ceiling. Creamy upholstered chairs with soft turquoise accents waited at each desk, their placement so thoughtful she could practically see herself working there already.
The soft turquoise walls and natural wood floors flowed seamlessly with the rest of the house, and sheer ivory curtains framed the glass double doors that led to the balcony.
Every detail—down to the placement of electrical outlets and adjustable lighting—had been carefully considered.
She was overcome with emotion. Levi had done this for her…for them.
She turned, eyes ringed silver, and found him watching her with that open, vulnerable expression she had only recently begun to see and cherish.
Speechless, she crossed the room and threw her arms around his neck, ignoring the protest of her sore ribs and ankle as she pressed her face into the crook of his neck.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his skin, her voice thick with emotion. “It’s…It’s flawless. More than I could have imagined. I…thank you.”
Levi held her close, his arms strong but careful, his lips brushing against her temple.
“You’re welcome,” he murmured. His voice was rough, full of feelings too big to contain. “I meant it when I said I wanted to earn your forgiveness. This…this is the first step. The first of many.”
He pulled back far enough to look into her eyes, his thumbs brushing her cheeks.
“You deserve the world, Aurelia,” he whispered. “And this fool is going to spend every day proving that to you.”
She smiled through the welling tears, her heart so full it ached.
Levi swallowed hard, his voice lighter now despite the intensity in his eyes. “I’m getting you a new laptop, too. Full setup. But for now…” His lips curved faintly. “I hope the lady of the house is pleased with her new workspace.”
Aurelia looked up at him, her breath catching as the space between them shrank. His lips were so close she could feel his breath on hers, and in that moment—full of gratitude, love, and a thousand unsaid words—she gave in.
Closing the final sliver of distance between them, she kissed him, her lips saying everything she wasn’t quite ready to say aloud.
Aurelia had never hosted more than one person in her home before, but any lingering nerves quickly vanished the moment their friends arrived.
The atmosphere was relaxed, with loungewear as the official dress code and no pretense of formality. In true Owen fashion, he declared that a potluck buffet of fast food was the only appropriate meal for the evening.
Now the kitchen island was a smorgasbord of pure, unapologetic chaos—fried chicken, tacos, burgers and fries, pizza, sandwiches, Chinese takeout, and even sushi, which had somehow sparked a passionate debate about whether it qualified as fast food.
Aurelia and Levi had at least attempted to contribute healthier options, represented by the tragically untouched fruit platter and a lonely house salad wilting in the corner.
“In no way is sushi fast food,” Isaac declared, eyeing the suspicious rolls as he hovered over the pizza boxes.
Owen huffed, already halfway through a plate of fries. “Fast food means food you can get fast . I acquired sushi fast , which, by definition, makes it fast food. Took me less time than you did picking out your fancy pizzas.”
Isaac shot him a flat look. “Fancy pizzas that you took two slices of and inhaled before anyone else could try them.”
“I’m an equal opportunity food sampler,” Owen retorted, pointing a fry at him like a weapon. “And don’t you dare shame me! You’re the one discriminating against sushi while happily hoarding spring rolls and lo mein.”
“I’m too hungry to debate this nonsense,” Isaac muttered, piling his plate high with his non-sushi selections.
“You’re right,” Owen agreed cheerfully through a mouthful of fries. “We need to fuel up first…so I’ll have the energy to properly educate you on how wrong you are. Again. ”
No one even bothered to sit at the dining table. Instead, they congregated in the living room, letting Aurelia keep her injured foot elevated in comfort. The fire crackled in the hearth, and—unsurprisingly—a POLmArK TV Romance was playing quietly in the background. Owen’s doing, no doubt.
Aurelia had invited her new friend, Adelen, to join them, but work had tied her up. She promised to come next time.
Despite everything that happened, she was happy to have everyone gathered together like this. She waded through her thoughts until Grace’s soft voice cut through them.
“Oh, honey…what’s wrong?”
Heads turned toward her, concern instantly replacing the easy smiles. That was when Aurelia felt the wetness on her cheeks. Tears. Happy tears.
She laughed, wiping them away as she shook her head. “Sorry. I…I was thinking about how happy I am to know every one of you. How effortlessly you accepted me as one of you, and I guess that…snuck up on me. This whole ‘not burying your emotions’ thing is a wild ride.”
Grace reached for her hand, her smile tender. “Time heals all wounds, my friend. But even when the pain fades, the scars stay. You’re handling it beautifully.”
Ivy smirked and raised her glass. “And if you don’t heal like a delicate flower, you do it like a bad bitch. Either way, we’ve got your back.”
“This,” Owen declared dramatically, placing a hand over his heart, “this is what it means to have a squad. Just like in Cheering for Love when the cheer squad rallied around their coach after the kelp farmer she fell in love with broke her heart—”
Isaac threw his head back with a groan as Levi sighed heavily and muttered, “Here we go…”
Isaac’s expression twisted in disbelief. “There’s no way these are real movies. You can’t possibly remember all this unless you’re making them up.”
Owen gasped like he had been personally attacked. “My brain holds multitudes, you peasant. Don’t insult the sanctity of my knowledge!”
Isaac pulled out his phone. “Fine. I’m looking it up.”
Owen crossed his arms and settled back, smug. Grace tried to hide her laughter by turning away, sipping her wine. Ivy made no such effort, openly laughing behind her hand. Levi shook his head and looked to the ceiling like a man praying for deliverance. Aurelia, for her part, was captivated.
She couldn’t help herself. “You two really do argue about this all the time,” she teased.
“It’s like…weird foreplay. Owen drops a POLmArK reference to get your attention.
Isaac gets all scandalized and demands proof.
Then Owen puffs up his chest and struts around with his endless movie knowledge.
It’s a full-on ritual. I’ve seen it in nature documentaries—it’s a textbook mating dance. ”
Ivy choked on her fried chicken. Grace nearly spit out her wine. Levi’s laughter rumbled through the couch where he sat pressed against Aurelia.
Owen and Isaac both gaped at her, stunned into momentary silence.
Right when worry began to creep back in that maybe she had taken it too far, Owen whispered in awe, “I’ve never felt so seen .”
He sat up straight, eyes shining with excitement. “This is basically the plot of Prickly Love ! How did I not make this connection before? It’s exactly like when the nuclear chemist falls for the cactus costumer in the desert—”
“No. Absolutely not. Do not finish that sentence! ” Isaac barked, but Owen was already on a roll.
“She’s out there analyzing fallout, and she tells him not to mess with the cacti without protective gear. But he’s building a portfolio of naturally bioluminescent cacti—but really, they’re radioactive! And she rants about it, and he just… swoons . Like I do every time you argue with me, Isaac!”
With a gleam in his eye, Owen lunged toward him. Isaac dodged expertly, and Owen landed in a graceless heap on the floor.
Everyone lost it.
The living room filled with howls of laughter as Owen dramatically sprawled across the rug, one fist raised toward the ceiling.
“Mark my words, Isaac!” Owen shouted through the chaos. “Someday, I will star in a POLmArK Romance! And I will tell the epic story of our bromance for the world to see!”
Levi pulled Aurelia closer, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “You fit in perfectly, you know. The missing piece we didn’t even know we were missing.”
It made Aurelia feel…whole.