Chapter 49
Pulling up in front of the venue, I already spotted Aurora waiting at the entrance.
A soft scoff escaped my lips as I shook my head.
I unbuckled my seatbelt just as the valet opened the door.
Grabbing my handbag, I stepped out, handing him the keys with a quiet thank you and a subtle nod before my eyes drifted back to Aurora.
She was already watching me.
I crossed the pavement toward her, a polite smile curling at my lips. In her ivory pantsuit, she looked ethereal—exactly as I remembered her, untouched by time. A sigh slipped from me as I stopped in front of her.
"Have you been waiting long?" I asked, letting my hand brush lightly from her shoulder down to her chest. Even in heels, I still had to tilt my chin up to meet her gaze.
She shook her head, eyes steady on mine. "No."
I gave a faint smile and nodded, allowing myself one last once-over. "You look good," I murmured.
Her face flushed. I almost chuckled but turned away instead, glancing toward the venue. I had barely taken a step before her fingers caught mine.
"Sol," she said softly.
I glanced at our joined hands, then up at her face, brows knitting. She swallowed hard, grip loosening.
"You look beautiful," she whispered, so quietly I almost missed it.
Just as she was about to pull away, I tightened my hold on her. "I know I'm beautiful," I said with a low chuckle. "But thanks for the reminder."
With a sigh, I turned and guided her inside, our hands still entwined. Her palm was cool—nervous. The room of elites turned to stare as we entered, whispers following us, but I didn't care.
Then, abruptly, she tugged me aside.
"Sol, wait."
I frowned, glancing around. "What is it?"
She didn't release my hand. Instead, with her free hand, she pulled something from inside her blazer—a velvet box. A nervous laugh escaped her before she flicked it open, revealing a diamond ring.
My breath caught. I hadn't expected this.
"Why are you giving me this?" I asked, voice soft.
Clearing her throat, Aurora exhaled slowly. "You said you wanted the marriage to be public," she said, eyes scanning the room. "If people see you without a ring, they'll doubt us. So... here."
I scoffed lightly, arching a brow. "Wow, you're really leaning into this act, aren't you?"
But my heart skipped a beat. I hadn't expected her to buy me a ring—an engagement ring. I hadn't even thought about it.
"You could say that," she murmured. "Besides, it's not like I'll ever get married again, right?"
I didn't reply. When she slid the ring onto my finger, I didn't pull back. I let her. Once upon a time, she'd promised to marry me. That time never came.
"That one's for our engagement," she said.
I looked at the ring on my finger. If twelve years ago she had asked me to marry her, I would have taken her somewhere—anywhere—to tie the knot with her. A knot rose in my throat as I stared at the diamond glinting under the lights.
When I glanced back at her, she pulled out another box.
"And this..." she said, opening it.
My eyes widened. I looked around quickly, pulling my hand back from her. "Ro," I hissed, warning in my voice. There was no way she was going to give me that. "Are you out of your mind?"
A nervous laugh escaped me. I didn't deserve this.
I stepped closer, my voice almost a whisper. "Why are you trying to give me that? That's your heirloom."
Just because we were getting married didn't mean she got to hand over her heirloom. I wasn't marrying her for her wealth, or for whatever legacy she was trying to pin on me.
"What's wrong with that?" she shrugged. "My grandmother gave it to me and told me to give it to the one I'd marry. And since that's you..." she paused, her eyes on mine. "I want you to have it."
I shook my head, glaring at her. "No. I can't accept it."
I turned to leave, but she caught my arm and pulled me back toward her. I swallowed hard as she drew me even closer. "Sol, please," she whispered. "Just let me do this. I know this is only business for you, but at least let me treat you better than I did before."
Blinking fast, I tried not to tear up.
Her words—her fucking words—were making me crumble, making me want to back out of this whole arrangement.
Because no matter how badly she'd broken me before, she had once treated me like her queen. Like I was the only one who mattered.
And that was why, even then, I hadn't believed she was just using me.
A laugh escaped me—low, bitter, disbelieving.
I rubbed my temples before meeting her gaze.
"You don't actually think you can win me back with this, do you?
Be serious, Ro. This is business. One wrong move and I can undo everything keeping your company alive.
" My eyes flickered, a warning sharp enough to cut.
But she didn't even flinch.
"I know, Sol." She reached for my hand again, her thumbs tracing slow circles on the back. "I know you hate me for the past. But still, I want you to have this."
Before I could stop her, she slid the heirloom onto my finger. Her smile flickered as she lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.
For a heartbeat, I wondered why I'd ever proposed this marriage at all. For a heartbeat, I wanted to run. Because when I met her eyes, I saw something raw flicker there—regret, maybe?
I cleared my throat, pulling my hand away and turning my back to her. "Enough of this nonsense. We shouldn't keep the guests waiting." I walked toward the hall, heels clicking, but her voice drifted after me, soft yet cutting through the air.
"Sol, I love you."
I froze mid-step. What?
No... she didn't.
I blinked, then glanced over my shoulder. "Did you say something?" I asked, my tone casual, like I hadn't heard it—because I didn't know how to react. Or if I even wanted to.
Aurora shook her head, her lips curved in a smile that never reached her eyes. "Nothing," she murmured. She stepped to my side, sliding her arm around my waist and drawing me close as we walked forward. "Come on. Tonight, you'll own the spotlight."
She loves me? My mind spun. She loves me—after leaving me behind, after vanishing and never letting me see her again?
No. Aurora must be playing me. She must be trying to regain control. Yes. That had to be it.
?·???°???°???·?
Inside the private suite of the H?tel de Paris, journalists from La Gazette de Monte Carlo sat across from us. Cameras were set up, flashes ready, while Aurora and I sat on the couch as if we were truly in love.
Her hand rested on the backrest of the couch, while I let my elbow rest lightly against her thigh. When I glanced at her, she was staring straight ahead, poised and radiant. She caught me looking, and I cleared my throat.
Leaning a little closer, I shifted my attention to the journalist in front of us.
The woman smiled politely. "Ms. DeLacroix, Ms. Duvall, thank you for allowing us this exclusive interview.
It's a pleasure to see the two of you tying the knot soon. That's totally unexpected."
She smiled again, this time at Aurora. "Ms. DeLacroix, what made you decide to go public with your engagement now?"
Aurora adjusted her tie before looking at me. Her smile didn't falter, her eyes still fixed on mine. "I have never hidden my love for her," she said evenly. "I simply wanted the world to see this union as something built on respect and trust—not just headlines."
She spoke without once breaking eye contact with me. I smiled back at her, proud and composed. We had to act natural—as if this wasn't all just business.
Both of us turned back to the journalist. "Ms. Duvall," she continued, "you haven't worked closely with the DeLacroix family before. When did this relationship become something more than professional?"
I glanced at Aurora, offering a faint smile before turning to the journalist. "It wasn't sudden," I said. "It was just... inevitable."
I almost jolted when Aurora reached for my hand.
"Some critics say this marriage merges emotion and power. How would you respond?"
Before I could speak, Aurora answered. "Power means nothing if it's not shared with someone who protects your peace."
I exhaled softly, leaning closer, my voice low. "And love means nothing if it isn't tested by truth."
Aurora blinked at me. I tilted my head and gave her a small smile.
The journalist teased us with a grin. "It's amazing to see the two of you look at each other like you're truly devoted."
Her words almost made me laugh out loud. If she only knew we were faking every second of this.
"Rumors say you two first met at university in Oxford—is that true?"
A soft laugh escaped me at the memory of how we actually met. "It was far less glamorous," I admitted. "I bumped into her and spilled my cookies all over her."
Aurora chuckled, rubbing my upper arm. "And she never apologized at all," she added.
I clicked my tongue and brushed my fingers lightly against her cheek before turning back to the journalist. "It's because she smiled before I could even mutter an apology."
"That's just so cute," the journalist remarked, making both Aurora and me glance at each other and laugh softly.
"I was actually shocked when I learned the person I'd bumped into was a wealthy heiress," I said, shaking my head with a faint smile.
Aurora snickered beside me; her own smile plastered on her lips.
The journalist nodded, glancing at her cue card. "You both carry strong public images—the visionary CEO and the strategist. How do you separate work from your personal life?"
I pressed my lips into a thin line, shaking my head slightly. "We don't," I said. "We build them around each other."
When I turned to Aurora, her eyes were on me again. "She's the reason I'm still building it," she said softly.
A thump echoed in my chest. Her eyes looked at me so gently—like she wanted to protect me, or maybe... I didn't know.
"Ms. DeLacroix, your family's legacy is immense. Everything was left on your shoulders. Was there resistance to your relationship?"
I felt Aurora stiffen beside me.
She cleared her throat before sitting up straighter.
I adjusted in my seat as well. "Love doesn't ask for permission," she said.
"Besides, my mother knew Sloane back in our university days.
She definitely liked Sloane with me back then. "
My jaw tightened subtly. If her mother really liked me for her, then why had Aurora played with my feelings?
"And for you, Ms. Duvall," the journalist asked, "do you feel pressure marrying into the DeLacroix name?"
A faint smile curved my lips. "Pressure creates diamonds," I replied, turning to Aurora. "I just happen to be marrying one."
"Aww," the journalist clutched her chest. "I'm kind of feeling envious right now. You look lovely together," she said, smiling at both of us. "How would you describe each other in one word?"
Aurora shifted on her seat, tilting her head as she looked at me. She smiled—a proud one. "Unyielding."
Her word made me blink.
When I looked at her, I could see clearly in her eyes the same lightness I felt back then—the same assurance she once let me feel.
I swallowed a lump before heaving a sigh.
"Light," I mumbled, almost a whisper. "She's my light," I said, louder this time.
The journalist smiled, nodding at me. "What do you hope for your future together?"
"Time," Aurora said almost instantly, making me look at her.
She looked at me, giving me a faint smile. I swallowed a knot inside me. "Forever," I said. I wanted her forever caged in my game, where she couldn't do anything but stay with me.
The press applauded softly for us. I looked at Aurora, leaning closer as I whispered in her ear so only she could hear. "We'll have both, don't you worry," I teased.
Aurora smirked at me, looking at my face. She whispered against my ear. "We'll see about that, Sol. We'll see about that," she whispered, her hand patting my upper arm.
Something in her words made me overthink. Why would she say it? If she's planning to leave me again, I would make sure to make her crawl. Even if I had to tie her down for her to stay beside me, I would.
"We indeed hope that the two of you would have a happily ever after," the journalist announced, making me laugh softly at her.
I felt Aurora shift, crossing her leg over the other as her hand slid down my waist. I gulped as I kept my smile in front of the journalist.
"So... Ms. Duvall," the journalist continued, glancing between the two of us before her eyes landed on me.
I could sense a change in her expression, making me prepare for what would be the next question.
"This may be a little personal. Do you think Ms. DeLacroix being an intersex woman might be a hindrance to your marriage? "
The room suddenly turned quiet.
I sat straighter as I looked at Aurora. I always knew she was intersex—because if not, how could she possibly have left me pregnant, right?
Her hand pulled me even closer to her as if she had been uncomfortable with the question.
Well, she's always been uncomfortable with the topic before; it's been her insecurity since she said it was weird for her to be a woman with a man's private part.
My hand rested on Aurora's knee as I drew soothing circles on her.
I hadn't thought they would ask this kind of question.
Clearing my throat, I smiled at the journalist. "I knew Ro back in our university days.
We've been together long enough for me to know exactly the kind of person she is.
" I smiled at Aurora before turning back to the journalist.
"Yes, she's intersex.
I believe the public already knows she falls under Ovotesticular Disorder, what used to be called true hermaphroditism.
" I leaned forward, letting my chest brush against Aurora's thigh as I looked at the camera.
"But I love her for who she is, not for what she is.
Why would anyone pry into something so personal?
Marriage is between the two of us. That's all people need to know.
She is a woman, but not just a woman—she's my woman. "
Stressing those words, I smiled. Because I would make sure that anyone who went near her would know their place. I would make sure Aurora would have no way to escape me once again.
I could feel Aurora pulling me even closer to her.
I swallowed hard, chuckling softly. "People call her the Ice Queen of Monaco, but I know the warmth she hides behind it," I remembered how soft she had gotten when it came to me.
How she treated me the best back then. She hadn't been the Ice Queen people knew.
"Ro is extraordinary. And I hope citizens learn to stop labeling others by their sexuality.
Respect who they are. Because despite our differences—status, power, sexuality—we're all human.
My stand will never change. I will marry Ro regardless, because she's the only one I want. "
When I turned to Aurora, our gazes met. I reached out, touching her cheek. I could feel her leaning into my touch. I faintly smiled, because somewhere between my words, it was true.
"That's truly beautiful, Ms. Duvall. Thank you both for sharing this moment with us. I wish you happiness in your marriage and prosperity for both your companies."
"Thank you so much," I smiled, turning my attention back to them as both of us stood up from our seats and shook hands with the journalist.
We played the part of a lovely couple, smiling and all, until the room finally emptied of the press. As they left the two of us, I heard a sharp exhale from Aurora.
I looked at her as she walked towards the chiller and grabbed a bottle of water.
She took a gulp. "I didn't know they'd ask something like that," I explained, looking at her worriedly.
I had known her for so long, and she had really not wanted her intersex condition talked about in public.
"It's not a big deal. I'm used to it. Just another childish jab, really," she waved it off, placing the bottle down and pulling something from her pocket. She'd shaken it and opened it.
My brow furrowed as I looked at her. "What's that for?" I asked when I saw her pop something inside her mouth.
She placed it back in her pocket and gulped more water. "Ah," she laughed after drinking. "Just my meds for anemia. You know how it is—stress, lack of sleep. Businesswomen like us hardly get a break."
I took a step towards her, about to ask something, when my phone suddenly rang. I grabbed it and looked at the screen. I waved my hand at her dismissively. "Go on ahead to the hall. I'll catch up. Just need to take this call."
She simply hummed and nodded, gathering her things before leaving me alone.
I slid my finger on my screen to answer the call. "Margot," I greeted, pressing my phone to my ear.
"Sloane," a woman's voice greeted on the other line. "Are you seriously going with the marriage thing?"
A soft chuckle escaped me. "You're in France, yet you heard already about the news?" I teased, shaking my head as I looked at the door where Aurora had gone out. I sighed, nodding to myself. "Yes, I'll go with the marriage, Margot."
"But why? I thought... I thought you didn't want to get back to her?"
"I have my reasons, Margot. You'll know everything about it soon, but not now."
"At least... don't get yourself hurt once again, will you? I just don't want you to cry over the same woman who hurt you back then."
My lips pressed into a thin line. Even if she ruined me in the end, I would do the same to her. I exhaled. "Don't worry about me, Margot. Focus on your business trip, will you?" I laughed, shaking my head.
I placed my free hand on my chest. Even if Aurora had hurt me before, I still wanted to tie her to my side, make sure she wouldn't get help from another person. Make sure that she would only need me—no one else.