Chapter 54
Giggling, I rested my hands on Aurora's shoulders as she turned us around, lifting me effortlessly into her arms. We stared at each other for a long second before leaning in, and I swallowed hard as her lips brushed mine—warm, familiar, dangerous.
"Perfect!" the photographer called out.
I pulled away quickly, and Aurora set me down with a soft laugh. "Wow," she teased. "A free kiss for the prenup photoshoot. Maybe we should do this every day, huh?"
I glared at her, nudging her waist. She groaned dramatically but only laughed harder, catching my hand as we walked toward the photographer.
Clasping my hands behind my back, still holding hers loosely as we looked at the photos.
"Oh, that's nice," I murmured, watching the screen.
Her fingers tightened slightly around mine, her thumb tracing idle circles against my skin.
My breath caught, and I turned to look at her—but she only tilted her head, smiling faintly before glancing back at the screen.
"We can also do some raw shots," the photographer suggested. "Something more natural."
I shrugged. "I don't mind. You?" I asked, turning to Aurora.
"Fine with me," she said casually, though her voice carried a hint of warmth.
"Great," the photographer said, looking pleased.
Aurora scanned the area. "Maybe that bench over there?" she suggested, pointing with her free hand while still holding mine.
"Yeah, that'll do." I smiled, releasing her hand. "Go ahead and sit—I'll grab something."
She nodded and walked toward the bench while I went to Millie, rummaging through my bag for my sunglasses.
"I can't help but notice something's shifted between you two," Millie said, her gaze following Aurora.
I froze. "What do you mean?"
Millie shrugged. "You're starting to look comfortable with her again."
I scoffed. "Don't read too much into it. It's all publicity—you know that. Pretend we're madly in love for the cameras."
She hummed but didn't look convinced. "Aurora's company is still digging into the embezzlement case. You really think Marcello Bianchi will keep his mouth shut?"
My eyes flicked toward Aurora.
She was sitting on the bench now, sunlight catching in her hair.
"Whether she finds out or not that I orchestrated the hundred-billion embezzlement," I said quietly, "she doesn't have a choice.
She signed my clauses. If she breaks the contract, she loses everything.
And I doubt Aurora would risk that. So one way or another—she's stuck with me. "
Millie let out a low whistle, then chuckled. "And what exactly do you get out of this?"
"Dione's perfect family," I said, laughing under my breath. "No, seriously—I don't know. But it's what Dione wanted, so I'll play along. I've got nothing left to lose."
She studied me for a long moment before speaking again. "You've turned down everyone who's ever tried to date you, even before this whole charade. Was that because of Dione, too?" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Or because you still feel something for your ex?"
I drifted my gaze toward Millie and gave her a faint smile.
Crossing my arms, I let out a sharp exhale.
"A lot of people wanted to be with me, you're right about that.
But only because they thought I was single.
They didn't know I'm a single mother. Besides.
.." I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Dione wouldn't like the idea of me marrying anyone else.
You heard her before—she said she'll only approve if it's with Aurora. Her mother."
Millie smirked. "Or maybe you could just admit you still have lingering feelings for your ex."
I groaned, rolling my eyes. "You're impossible."
She laughed but didn't push further. I waved her off and made my way back to Aurora.
She was already sitting on the bench, sunlight tracing her profile. I stopped in front of her and bent slightly, sliding my aviator shades onto her face.
"You can't see properly under this sun with eyes like yours," I said with a small chuckle.
A faint smile curved her lips. "It's not like yours are any better," she murmured—and before I could straighten up, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me down onto her lap.
"Hey!" I hissed, glancing around. The cameras were already set up, and if I made a scene, everyone would see right through our act.
"Relax," Aurora said with a teasing smirk, her arms wrapping around my waist. "People are watching. You wanted publicity, didn't you?"
Clenching my teeth, I glared at her before exhaling a deep sigh.
My hands slid over her shoulders, steady but trembling beneath the act.
Tilting her chin up, I leaned close enough to feel her breath ghost across my lips.
"Will you calm your bulge down, Aurora? I can feel it. "
I swallowed hard as I felt the unmistakable tension between us, her body betraying what she tried to hide behind that smirk.
She chuckled, low and husky, pulling me closer until I could feel her warmth press against me. My breath hitched, and I tried to keep my expression neutral, though the heat was already crawling up my neck.
"Oh, I wonder why that's happening, hmm?" she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.
Before I could retort, the photographer's voice cut through the tension. "Perfect! That's lovely!"
I took the opportunity to rise, but Aurora caught my wrist and tugged me back down. "Aurora!" I hissed, trying to push against her shoulders.
"Sol." Her tone shifted—calm, quiet—the kind that made me stop breathing. "Do you ever think... if I hadn't broken up with you twelve years ago, would we have ended up together? Married? With kids? Living a happy life?"
Her question stopped me cold. If she hadn't left me... maybe we would have been happy.
I studied her face, the wistfulness in her eyes, the kind of softness that used to undo me. A bitter laugh escaped before I could stop it. "Why are you asking me that?" I muttered.
She shrugged lightly, her gaze unwavering. "I just want to know what you think. If I hadn't ended it."
My fingers fidgeted in my lap. I took a slow breath, lowering my gaze. "I... think so," I murmured with a broken laugh. Because it's always been my dream, you know? To be with you. To stay beside you, no matter what.
I lifted my eyes to hers. But you decided to leave.
Aurora's hand reached for mine, her fingers slipping between mine like they belonged there. I stared at our joined hands, how easily they still fit. A faint, hollow smile touched my lips.
"If what we had was real back then, maybe we could've made it," I whispered. "But you said it yourself, remember? I was just a plaything. A pastime. A bed warmer."
A sharp, broken laugh tore from my chest. "It's funny, isn't it? I wasted four years of my life on someone like you."
For a second, I let her see it—the hurt I'd buried under twelve years of control—before I smothered it with anger. "If things had been different," I said, my voice steady now, "then yes. Maybe we'd be happily married."
I let her hold my hand a moment longer before I slipped free and stood up. Smoothing the wrinkles from my dress, I looked down at her, my tone turning cold. "But this marriage—" I paused, letting the words sink in, "right now? It's nothing but business."
Turning to leave her behind, I felt Aurora's hand catch my wrist. "Sol," she said softly, stepping in front of me. "Please. Let's talk after the wedding. I'll tell you everything—why I really broke up with you."
My brows drew together. I raised one, scoffing as I pried her hand off. "What's there to talk about? And why wait until after?"
She reached up, gently tucking the aviator shades onto my head. "Because," she said with a faint smile, "I don't want you stressing before the wedding. I know this is business, but you deserve peace before then. So... after the wedding. Please."
I looked at her, trying to understand what could possibly be left to explain after twelve years.
With a slow exhale, I shook my head. "Whatever your reason is, keep it.
I don't want to hear it. The past is the past. Why dig it up now?
I've moved on. I don't want to reopen those wounds. "
Lie.
The words echoed in my chest. My wounds may have healed, but I never moved on. How could I, when Dione—our daughter—is a mirror image of Aurora herself? How could I forget the love I once had for her, when a living reminder of it calls me Mommy every day?
Aurora's lips parted, as if to say something, but I cut her off with a brittle smile.
"You had all the time in the world to come clean," I said quietly.
"Now? It just feels like you need me. No—scratch that—you need my money.
I've learned my lesson, Aurora. The hard way. Thanks to you."
I didn't wait for her to speak. I turned around and walked away, forcing each step to feel steady even when my chest burned. Still, my mind wouldn't stop whispering; maybe you should've let her explain. Maybe she really did have a reason.
Twelve years, Ro. Twelve long years, and only now you want to tell me why you broke me?
I glanced over my shoulder. She was walking away toward the garden, her figure small beneath the sunlight. A humorless smile tugged at my lips. Isn't it ironic? After all this time, she finally wants to explain—when I've already forgotten how to listen.
?·???°???°???·?
Striding into the visitation area, I was guided by an officer to an empty seat. I sat and waited. My eyes caught a familiar figure escorted by the same officer; he dropped into the chair opposite me.
"Monsieur Bianchi," I nodded once, taking in how age had carved his face.
He scanned the room, then fixed me with a wary look. "Tell me you let my wife leave Monaco," he said low, glancing over his shoulder.
I tilted my head and let out a soft sigh. "Yeah. Your wife's somewhere far from Monaco, Monsieur. I keep my promises."
He clasped his hands together, his gaze flicking around the room. "DeLacroix's legal team is pressuring me," he muttered. "They're trying to force me to admit everything."
I propped my elbow on the visitor desk and rested my chin in my palm. "Aren't you going to own up to your mistakes?" I asked. "You benefited from the company's money. The least you could do is tell the truth."
His jaw tightened. "But you made me sign—"
"Hush, Monsieur.
" I slid a finger across my lips and smiled, the smile of someone who already held the cards.
"The joint venture between Duvall Capital and DeLacroix is in motion.
And—" I leaned forward, letting my voice drop—"I'm marrying Aurora DeLacroix.
Do you think she can divorce me if she learns everything?
" I clicked my tongue. "Aurora signed a no-divorce clause.
If she divorces, she loses everything—company, fame, fortune.
So whether you spill or stay quiet, she's tied to me until her last breath. "
His face blanched. "What...?"
"Thanks to you, Monsieur," I said, standing and leaning both palms on the desk.
"If you hadn't finished the siphoning, my plan wouldn't have worked.
" I straightened. "But I will no longer help get you bail.
Repent for your sins. Let the law do what it must." I turned away from him. His shout died against my back.
Outside, I slid into my car and buckled up. My fingers tightened on the wheel as I started the engine. "Time to see the CEO herself," I murmured, and drove toward DeLacroix Couture.
I sped through the city and pulled up to the company building.
The lobby was almost empty; I tapped my access card and rode the elevator to Aurora's floor.
When the elevator chimed and the doors slid open, I stepped out, heading toward Aurora's office—until I noticed a woman exiting from there.
We met each other's eyes briefly. She gave me a polite nod before walking away. My brow arched as my gaze followed her. It was the first time I had seen that woman. Who was she?
Swallowing the sudden lump in my throat, I opened Aurora's office door. I stepped inside and closed it behind me. Aurora was already looking at me.
"Who's she?" I asked, striding toward her.
She crossed her arms and met my gaze. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
I scoffed, lifting a brow. "I asked a question first, didn't I? Who's she?"
Don't tell me she's seeing someone—especially when we had announce the wedding publicly. No, that couldn't be. I haven't heard a single rumor about her being in a relationship. Not since that one woman she had after we broke up.
My eyes stayed locked on her, but Aurora only groaned and exhaled heavily, as if she didn't want to deal with my thoughts. "Come on, Sol. Are you seriously thinking I'm flirting with someone else?"
I shrugged, scoffing. "I'm just asking. Besides, why would I care?" Though my mind kept circling back to that woman.
Aurora stepped closer and tilted my chin up with her fingers. "Really? Because I swear, I smell jealousy all over you."
Jealousy, my ass. I clicked my tongue and pushed her hand away. "Why would I? I'm just asking who the woman is. You're reading too many romance novels, aren't you?"
Aurora turned her back to me, moving toward her desk. She sat down in her chair. "Well, Catherine is the company lawyer." She glanced at me. "Don't overthink it."
Who says I'm overthinking it? I thought, but my attention shifted to a porcelain doll resting on her couch—one with my face.
"Anyway," I said, planting my hands on her desk and leaning forward slightly. "If you have anyone—or if you're in a relationship—end it now. I don't want issues on our wedding day."
A laugh burst from her lips, her shoulders shaking.
As if what I'd just said was ridiculous.
"What? Why would you think I'm in a relationship?
I don't have time for that. Since we broke up, I've been single.
Even now, with the wedding approaching, I haven't been with anyone else. "
So... she didn't end up with that woman she flirted with after we broke up?
I arched a brow, studying her face. "But you've been... intimate with other women, right? Over the past twelve years?" I pressed. She had to have been. That's what Aurora did—she played with people.
She laughed again, shaking her head, her cheeks warming under the office light. "No, Sol. I've been celibate. I'm clean. Don't worry—no STIs to transfer if you decide to be... intimate."
My face burned hot. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed a napkin, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it straight at her. "All you think about is sex!" I hissed.
But... she's been celibate? If all she ever wanted was fun, why would she stay untouched for twelve years?
"What? You asked questions—I'm only answering," she said, leaning back in her chair and shutting her eyes. "Do you want me to prove I'm clean?"
I looked at her face, swallowing hard as my breath hitched. "No," I mumbled. Our eyes met when she opened them again.
"What about you?
Any relationships, Sol?" she asked, leaning forward now, resting her elbows on the desk and her chin on her knuckles.
Her eyes didn't leave mine. "You must have had some.
Even back in university, men were practically crawling over each other to get your attention. "
She wasn't wrong. I could still remember how she used to glare at anyone who so much as looked my way, warning them off like a jealous lioness. And yet in the end, she left me. So much for claiming me, Aurora.
I swallowed and let out a quiet chuckle. "I don't need men. I don't need a relationship. I'm busy running my company—it's time-consuming enough." Besides, I'm busy raising your daughter... the one you don't even know exists.
Aurora nodded, humming softly. "But here you are, about to marry your ex. Isn't that technically a relationship, even if it's fake?"
I leaned closer, giving her a playful smile. "This is a business strategy. What relationship are you talking about? We're not doing that."
I didn't need to start over with her. I just needed her to acknowledge Dione—to see her as her own blood when the time came. This marriage was for Dione's sake, not mine.
"You sure about that, Sol?" Aurora's voice dropped lower, softer. "Because if I'm honest... I'd be thrilled to give us another shot."
I straightened up, staring at her. "Another shot?" I echoed, my voice flat, low. "With the person standing right in front of me? No, thank you. I'd rather just die."
She smiled faintly, almost amused. "You say that, but I know you're thinking about it too."
Aurora stood, circling around her desk until she was in front of me again. Her hand rose to my face, fingers brushing against my chin, thumb gliding slowly across it.
I held my breath as her touch stilled me.
"Aurora," I said, prying her hand away and forcing my composure.
"Our marriage is only on paper. The no-divorce clause ensures obedience for what I want.
But a relationship? That's not part of the plan.
Whatever past we had—we can't rewrite it. "
She was silent for a moment.
Then she smiled and reached up to pat my head gently.
"You're right," she said, clicking her tongue.
"Don't worry, I'll treat you well—like a real wife.
To make up for my past mistakes. Not that you're obligated to accept it, but just.. ." Her gaze softened. "Let me try."
Treat me like her real wife? I echoed in my head. The thought might've been as exciting as it sounded, but somehow, it scared me. I didn't want to get hurt again. I needed to keep the walls between us, even if I was about to tie the knot with her.
I heaved a sigh. "The hell do I care about whatever you want. Anyway, let's go. We've got an hour left before the food tasting."
Turning my back on her, I started walking toward the door—but she jogged after me and caught my hand.
"Let go! What the hell is your deal?" I hissed, glaring at her.
She just smiled at me, that infuriatingly calm expression never leaving her face. "Just wanted to hold my future wife's hand. Is that so bad?"
My lips twitched in irritation. "God, you're so hard to deal with. What if I just pull out of the deal?"
That made her stop. She turned to face me completely, still holding my hand. "Do you really want to?" she asked, leaning in close.
I placed my palm on her face, pushing it back. "Will you stop leaning so close? You're irritating." I groaned.
Aurora only laughed, catching my wrist with her free hand and lowering it gently from her face. "Are we planning a honeymoon escapade after the wedding," she teased, "or would you rather head straight back to work?"
Blinking at her, I gave a faint smile. "I'll go to the Maldives. Alone."
She squinted, pretending to be offended. "Wow, that's not fair. I want to come too," she said, grinning mischievously. "I'll book us a villa, deal?"
I rolled my eyes and didn't bother replying. She was really impossible to deal with.