Chapter 64
I was about to choose my seat at our reserved table in The Alchemist when Taylor and Maychelle each grabbed a shoulder and steered me toward the chair beside Aurora.
They even had the nerve to pull our seats closer together, close enough that our shoulders brushed whenever either of us moved.
Taylor and Maychelle grinned triumphantly as they sat across from us, while the rest of the group settled around the table. I groaned, rolling my eyes—some things never changed. They'd always loved teasing Aurora and me, even before we ever got together.
Our group had decided to meet at The Alchemist just to unwind and catch up. It had been twelve long years since we'd all been together like this. I clasped my hands, resting my elbows on the table and leaning my cheek against the back of my palms.
"So, I heard you're a professor at Harvard now, Tay?" I asked, nodding toward her.
Taylor hummed and nodded, lifting her glass. "Yeah. Got an offer, so I've been teaching there. Honestly, it was getting boring staying at home with nothing to do while my husband's always away on business trips."
"Good thing you had time to travel back to Europe, then?" I asked.
She clicked her tongue, grinning. "Yeah, I had a seminar the past few days, and since the weekend was free, I figured I'd meet you guys." Taylor turned to Maychelle with a mischievous look. "Oh, I heard you're engaged, Chelle. Is that true?"
My brows lifted in interest, and I leaned forward—though I noticed how unusually quiet Aurora was beside me. "Oh, tell us about it!" I urged, grinning.
Maychelle rolled her eyes and flipped her hair. "For the record," she began dramatically, "there won't be a wedding. I broke off the engagement—because the idiot slept with one of my bridesmaids."
My jaw dropped. "That's harsh! How dare he cheat on you?"
Maychelle laughed it off, waving her hand. "Well, that's how life goes. I'm not wasting my energy on petty things. They can have each other—I'm perfectly fine being alone. I've got everything I need."
I nodded in agreement. "Fair point."
Then she clapped her hands together, grinning at me—though I didn't miss the quick glance she threw Aurora's way.
"Actually, I've been wondering..." She pointed at me.
"Sloane, are you married? That ring looks suspiciously like a wedding ring.
Or..." She trailed off, giving me a teasing look.
I blinked, glancing down at my hand. "Oh. Yeah, I am married."
The table erupted with groans and mock disappointment.
"Damn it, Rory!" Taylor reached across the table to mess up Aurora's hair. "We were hoping to see you two get back together! You guys were such a good match."
I tried not to laugh, keeping my face straight even as I caught Aurora's faint smirk. They still had no idea that Aurora was my wife.
"Yeah," one of our old teammates chimed in. "But Rory doesn't seem married. Maybe I still have a chance."
I narrowed my eyes as Aurora just laughed and took a sip of her drink. Won't you clarify that you're not single? I wanted to nudge her, but I kept still.
"Don't tell us you're still single, Rory?" Maychelle gasped, clasping her hands dramatically to her chest.
Aurora finally shrugged. "I'm not single either."
The table went silent.
Their eyes darted between me and Aurora like they were piecing together a puzzle. I could barely hold in my laughter. "What's with those looks?" I asked lightly, pretending to be oblivious as I picked up a stick of pork barbecue.
Taylor shifted in her seat, making me glance at her. "Well, we just thought you two might make a comeback," she said, shrugging like it was the most natural thing in the world. "But then again... maybe what you had twelve years ago just ended like that."
Clearing my throat, I withdrew my hand from the table and rested it on my lap. I froze when I felt Aurora's fingers slide over mine beneath the table. I didn't pull away. The air around us had grown thick, and somehow, her touch was the only thing grounding me.
"So..." someone piped up, grinning. "Who did you end up with, Sloane?"
Tilting my head, I smiled faintly. "You guys can guess."
Aurora brushed her thumb over my hand, pretending to be disinterested as she leaned on the table, chin propped on her knuckles. "Were you happy in your marriage?" she asked suddenly.
I blinked, staring at her. "Why are you asking that?"
But her question echoed somewhere deeper inside me. Am I happy?
"I'm just curious," she said. "Not all marriages are happy, right?"
My gaze locked on her, searching her face. Isn't she happy with me?
"Excuse me?" I said sharply, my brows drawing together. "The audacity you have—"
"Guys..." Maychelle's voice broke through, and she half-stood, trying to intervene, but I raised a hand to stop her.
I shifted in my chair, keeping my eyes on Aurora.
"What?" she asked, sipping her drink with infuriating calm. "I just asked a question. Why can't you answer if you're happy or not?"
My lips twitched, torn between amusement and irritation. I couldn't tell if Aurora was acting or if this was another one of her games. Groaning, I rolled my eyes. "Why don't you tell me?"
She smirked, leaning in until her breath brushed against my ear. "I am happy... even if you only married me for revenge."
I leaned back, swallowing the lump that formed in my throat.
"Rory," Taylor said softly, her voice cautious. Aurora only pulled away, a victorious smile curling on her lips.
My face warmed at Aurora's words. Clearing my throat, I glanced around the table. "I'm actually married to this idiot beside me," I announced before taking a long sip of my wine.
The table went silent. Then, almost in unison—"What?!"
I sighed, lifting our joined hands from beneath the table. "See? I married Ro a few months ago." I turned to Aurora and gently tugged the chain around her neck, revealing the ring hanging from it. "She's not single. She's married—to me."
Maychelle fell back into her chair, eyes wide. "Oh my God. Oh my God. You two are married?!"
As if that was the cue, everyone jumped up and wrapped us in a loud, chaotic group hug. I couldn't help but laugh at how quickly the shock turned into excitement.
"Congratulations, you two!" Taylor beamed. "We had no idea you got back together—and married! Gosh, is this what forever looks like?" She pressed her hands to her chest, smiling dreamily.
I shook my head, still laughing, while Aurora's hand remained tangled with mine under the table. Her thumb brushed my skin every now and then—a quiet rhythm that spoke louder than words.
We kept talking, laughing, drinking. Time blurred into a comfortable haze. Some of them were already flushed from the alcohol, their stories blending with the bar's warm hum.
After a while, I gently slipped my hand from Aurora's grip and stood up. She immediately looked up at me. "Where are you going?" she whispered.
I smiled, leaning closer. "Just need a breather outside. I'll be back."
Pulling my car key and phone from my bag, I set my handbag on her lap before excusing myself. The cool night air outside hit my skin like relief as I stepped out of the bar, exhaling the tension I didn't realize I'd been holding.
Unlocking my phone, I sighed—it was about to die. I went to my car, opened it, and sat in the driver's seat. From the dashboard, I pulled out my power bank, plugged my phone in, then stepped out, locking the car behind me before walking toward the nearby pathwalk.
Humming softly to myself, I clutched the overcoat Aurora had let me use. The temperature had definitely dropped that night. I stopped near a small establishment, leaning against a post as I hovered over my phone.
I dialed Dione's account for a video call. Lifting my phone to my face, I waited until she answered on the third ring.
"Mommy?" Dione's sleepy voice and face appeared on my screen. She rubbed her eyes, smiling. "Hi, Mommy!"
"Hey, sweetie. Were you sleeping when I called?" I asked, watching her expression.
She hummed, and her tablet shifted shakily before she flopped down on her stomach on the bed. "I just got back from training, Mommy. I was about to take a nap."
"Oh," I smiled softly. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Mommy didn't know."
My brow furrowed when I suddenly heard a commotion nearby. Peeking to the side, I saw several people gathering around a parking lot.
"Mommy? What's going on?" Dione's voice startled me.
I looked back at my screen and shook my head. "Nothing, sweetie. There's just something happening nearby. I'm in Oxford, by the way—just so you know. I'm with your mommy number two." I laughed softly.
She grinned. "Are you guys dating again?" she teased, making me groan and roll my eyes.
"Sweetie, that's not going to happen, okay? I mean... well, we haven't exactly talked about what we are aside from, of course, being your parents."
She tilted her head and pouted.
"Oh, God!" I hissed, clutching my chest when a sudden explosion echoed nearby. "Sweetie, I need to go—something came up. Take a rest, okay? I love you!"
I didn't wait for her reply. I ended the call and jogged toward the commotion.
"Excuse me," I said, pushing through the crowd gathered at the scene.
"Let me go! Sloane's there!"
My brow furrowed—Aurora's voice. I pushed harder, weaving past the people until I broke through the last few standing in my way.
"No... no, no, no! Sol!"
As I reached the front, I froze. Aurora was staring at a burning car while Taylor and Maychelle tried to hold her back.
"Ro!" I shouted, my chest pounding at the sight. "Aurora!"
She turned slowly, and when her eyes met mine, she broke into a run.
"Sol," she breathed, voice trembling as she threw her arms around me. "Gosh... thank goodness you're safe," she whispered, her face buried against my shoulder as she clung to me.
Clueless, I hugged her, rubbing her back. "What happened?" I asked, feeling her body tremble against me.
"You're safe, you're safe," she mumbled repeatedly, her head still buried against my shoulder. I kept rubbing her back, trying to make sense of what had happened while I was gone.
"I am safe," I said softly. "I was on a call when I heard the explosion." I pulled back and lifted her face, cupping her cheeks with both hands. "Why the hell are you here?"
She grasped my hands tightly, as if trying to make sure I was real. "I thought... I thought I'd lost you." Her voice cracked, tears spilling freely down her cheeks.
I swallowed hard and reached up to wipe them away.
"Sol?" Taylor's voice broke through, and I turned toward her. "You weren't in your car?"
I glanced between Aurora and Taylor, frowning as I shook my head. "I told Ro I'd stepped outside for some air. I was on the phone just a minute ago. What do you mean I wasn't in the car?"
"It's your car that's burning!" Aurora hissed, her face flushed from crying. "I thought you were inside. I tried to save you—but you're here. Thank God you're here."
Her words hit me like a wave. I froze, staring at the burning car, then noticed Aurora's hand, bleeding. My stomach dropped. "What...?" I whispered. "Ro!" I hissed, taking her injured hand carefully. "Why would you—" I stopped myself before finishing the thought.
Aurora sniffled, wiping her tears with her cardigan sleeve. "I thought I'd lost you," she mumbled, leaning her forehead against my shoulder again. "I was so scared... I thought I'd lost you entirely." Her voice broke, raw and trembling.
My grip on her hand loosened. I drew a deep breath, then pulled her into a tight embrace, stroking her hair in slow, soothing motions. "You idiot," I whispered, closing my eyes as I pressed a kiss to her temple.
"You're not going to lose me, okay?" I murmured, continuing to rub her back. Her body still trembled beneath my hands. "Ro, I'm here. I'm fine."
She didn't reply, only tightened her arms around me as if she couldn't bear to let go.
My chest constricted at the sound of her broken sob.
"I'm scared," Aurora whispered. "I'm scared I'd lost you."
?·???°???°???·?
The air smelled of hot metal and burned leather.
Yellow police tape flapped weakly in the breeze, marking the spot where my car had been burning moments ago.
My Bentley's silhouette was now a crumpled thing against the barricade—twisted chrome, shattered glass, and smoke curling like ghosts into the night.
My hands trembled, but my voice didn't as I approached the officer. "Officer, do we have any initial findings on what happened?"
I curated my words carefully; the last thing I wanted was to sound like a woman being lied to.
He handed me a photocopy, as if the paper itself could make things honest. "Preliminary read," he began.
"Event recorder's corrupted. Telematics unit's unresponsive.
Surveillance captured the impact, but it shows you got out of the car, ma'am.
You sure you didn't forget to put it in park?
" He glanced up, then back at his notes.
"At face value—single-vehicle collision.
Mechanical failure. We'll file it unless new evidence comes up. "
I scanned the report. The words blurred and refocused, bruising across the page: EDR data corrupted. Telematics offline at time of event. Seat-occupancy sensor: no occupant detected at impact.
No occupant.
My eyes drifted toward Aurora, sitting on the back of an ambulance while paramedics treated her bleeding hand.
She'd screamed my name down the line—sure I'd been in that car when it hit.
She'd told everyone that. She'd kept shouting like my name was the only bridge between the burning wreck and her sanity.
"Well," I began, swallowing a lump in my throat as I watched her trembling form. "If we drag out the investigation, it'll take days—maybe weeks." My tone was steady, but my pulse wasn't.
I was about to say more when something in the gutter caught my eye—a piece of plastic, one corner of an OBD port cover, half-melted and charred. The officer didn't notice; he was busy tapping his tablet, checking the box that read no foul play suspected.
I crouched down and picked up the fragment. On the underside, a faint sticker—barely intact but unmistakable. A Monaco service crest. A stamp I knew too well from the receipts of Monte Carlo Motorworks.
"How long since the last service?" the officer asked.
I stood, meeting his gaze. "Routine maintenance. A month ago."
He exhaled, clicking his tongue as he shook his head. "No clean forensic trail. Recorder's dead, telematics too. Ma'am, there's no point digging if the primary data's destroyed."
He said it flatly, like someone who'd seen too many stories end this way.
"No point," he repeated, the words dull and heavy—like a verdict that had already been made.
I couldn't tell him that corrupted wasn't the same as accidental. But who the hell would've wanted to hurt me like this? Or was it really just a system fault in my car?
Running my fingers through my hair, I glanced at Aurora, now sitting on the plot box, her head low.
"Let's drop the investigation, Officer," I said, keeping my eyes on her.
I bit the inside of my cheek—she looked so devastated, even though nothing had happened to me.
Sliding the melted plastic fragment into my pocket, I turned back to the officer.
"I won't be filing a case. If there are any damages to cover, let me know—I'll coordinate through the proper channels.
I just don't want this dragged out any longer.
My wife's been through enough, thinking I was in that car. "
He nodded and made a note on his tablet. I excused myself and walked toward Aurora. She looked up when she felt me standing in front of her—her eyes rimmed red, her face pale. I draped my coat over her shoulders.
Something in me twisted.
I still couldn't believe she'd tried to get to me—with her bare hands, already injured.
My palms found her face, cupping it gently.
"Let's go back to the hotel," I said softly.
"I'll drive your car. I've decided not to file a case.
What's the point? The car's a total loss anyway.
" I paused, brushing my thumb against her cold cheek.
"Besides, everything's fine now... except your hand. "
Aurora let out a faint scoff but said nothing. I managed a small smile, pulling back and turning toward our friends. "Guys, thank you for staying," I said, reaching for Aurora's hand. "But we'll head out now. I'm sorry the night turned out like this."
They waved off my apology, insisting none of this could've been predicted. One by one, they hugged us—some trying to coax a smile from Aurora, who still looked shaken.
"Well, we should really meet up more often," Maychelle suggested, her voice light but cautious.
"Oh, absolutely," Taylor chimed in. "I could make the States the neighbor of the UK if I have to." She laughed, and the sound was too bright for the smoke-filled night.
"Just set the date," another added. "You know we'll clear our schedules for you two."
Aurora tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. After a few more hugs and goodbyes, I guided her toward her car.
It was a good thing she'd insisted on bringing my things earlier—sneaking them into her car when no one was looking.
The drive back to the hotel was eerily silent. Occasionally, Aurora would shift in her seat, exhaling softly, like she was trying not to break. Come to think of it—she might've been taller than me, but moments like this reminded me how fragile she could be.
I didn't ask questions. I let her keep her silence, because even if I asked, I wouldn't know what to say.
When we finally pulled into the hotel parking lot, I turned off the engine and unbuckled my seatbelt. Stepping out, I walked around to open her door.
Aurora glanced up at me before stepping out. "Thank you," she murmured.
I hummed in response and closed the door. Before I could reach for the bags, she was already gathering them from the backseat, refusing to let me help.
I sighed, watching her. "Are you sure you don't want me to take you to the ER?"
She shook her head, walking beside me toward the lobby. Her hand slipped into mine, her bruised knuckles rough against my fingers.
"Sol," she said quietly, "I told you, I'm fine. I still have my painkillers. I'll take one tonight to ease it."
I couldn't help but let out a sigh. I didn't want to press further because it might end up in another heated argument. And I was just too tired to deal with a fight after everything that had happened.
As we reached our floor, Aurora walked past her room and stopped in front of mine instead. I looked at her as I opened the door and grabbed my duffel bag from her. "Go ahead and rest," I said, waving her off.
The moment I shut the door, I set my bag down and plopped onto the couch, groaning in exhaustion.
"Monte Carlo Motorworks, authorized services," I mumbled to myself.
I was pretty sure that was the automobile service branch where I had my car tuned up and serviced for routine maintenance.
But I didn't remember having anything like that installed in my car.
Heaving a sigh, I stood up and went to take a shower instead. When I got out, I put on a sweatshirt and wide-leg trousers. Biting my lower lip, I contemplated whether to call Aurora or not. My fingers hovered over her number on my phone, just staring at it.
With a sharp breath, I pressed the call button. It barely rang before she answered.
"Hey."
"Can we talk? Come to my room. Now." I ended the call before she could even protest. Not long after, a knock came at my door. I peeked through the peephole to see her standing outside.
"Sol?" I heard her faint voice. I opened the door and pulled her inside before shutting it. Guiding her to the couch, I pushed her down to sit and took a seat beside her, looking at her face.
My hand reached out to hold her injured one, brushing against her fully covered knuckles. "Why would you do it?"
Aurora scoffed. "What do you mean, why? Sol, you're my wife. Whatever you think of this relationship—legally and in my heart—you're my wife. Of course I'd save you."
A humorless laugh escaped me. Her words might've tugged something inside me if she hadn't done what she did before. "You could've grabbed something—anything—to break that window. Why use your injured hand? Your burn hasn't even healed, and now this."
I understood she wanted to save me since I was her wife, but she could've just called someone for help.
Our eyes met, and for some reason, I could feel Aurora's raw emotion through them.
"Do you really think I had time to weigh options?
When I saw your car slamming into the barriers, smoke pouring out.
.. I couldn't think straight. My chest felt like it would explode.
The only thought in my head was you. Saving you. "
"Why?"
She frowned, looking at me. "What?"
I faintly smiled, letting go of her hand as I leaned back on the couch.
"Why save me? Wouldn't it be easier if I'd died in that car?
You'd be free—no marriage, no complications.
You wouldn't have to deal with me." I laughed like it meant nothing.
"You'd even keep the investors I brought in.
Your company would be safe. Everything would be wrapped up neatly. "
"Stop," she said sharply. "Why are you talking like that? Like you want to disappear?"
I paused, tilting my head back to stare at the ceiling. I was starting to get confused about this charade she was pulling. "Maybe I should ask you something," I said quietly. "Are you doing all this just to win me over... so you can use me again, Ro?"
A laugh escaped her, but I didn't look at her. I couldn't. "Are we really back here again, Sol?" she asked.
"I don't know," I mumbled, giving her a small, weary smile. I honestly didn't know. What if I was just holding onto a false hope that we could really start over?
"What do you mean you don't know?" she pressed.
I let out a sigh.
"Ro," I began softly. "I don't know why you're doing this—asking for another chance, telling me you didn't mean what you said twelve years ago.
I can't even make sense of it." I stood up, looking down at her.
"And I don't know what's going to happen to us if we keep going like this. "
The more I tried to suppress my lingering feelings for her, the more I found myself pulled back—like I didn't have any choice but to give in.
Aurora stood up, towering over me. I swallowed hard as she looked at me, her eyes screaming with hurt. "Do you really want to date someone else?"
Lowering my gaze, I hugged myself, rubbing my arms.
"Sol," she whispered, stepping toward me—and I couldn't help but step back. "Can't we try? Just try first?" She reached for my hands. "If it doesn't work, you're free to walk away. I won't stop you."
Heaving a slow breath, I finally managed to meet her gaze.
"I don't know," I whispered. I didn't know what to do, if I was being honest. I wanted to give her a chance—to start again—but I was scared.
Scared that once I grew comfortable again, she'd leave me.
.. and I'd have no one left to hold onto.
Aurora cupped my face, her hands trembling. She rested her forehead against mine. "Sol," her voice cracked—and hearing it made me want to break too. "I know I hurt you. I know I said things I can never take back. And I regret them every single day."
I didn't respond. How could I? What words could possibly fit?
"Sol," she whispered again, lifting my chin as she leaned in, about to kiss me.
But before she could, I turned my face aside, avoiding her lips.
I was too afraid—afraid that if I let her kiss me, if I let myself feel her again, something would happen between us that neither of us could stop.
"Let's get some rest, Ro," I said, my voice firm but quiet. "It's been a long day. Go back to your room." I dismissed her like I didn't want her there, even though every part of me ached for her to stay.
She stood still for a moment, looking at me, before her hands fell to her sides. "Goodnight, then."
She walked out of my room, and I followed her to the door, locking it once she left. My hand lingered on the knob as I rested my forehead against it. "I love you, Ro," I whispered under my breath. "I love you so much it still hurts inside."