Chapter 71
Sitting in front of the vanity mirror, I was in the middle of blow-drying my hair when Aurora appeared behind me—still in her long-sleeved shirt and trousers, barefoot. Without a word, she took the dryer from my hand and began doing it for me.
I caught her gaze through the mirror, smiling. "Aren't you taking a bath?" I asked as she combed through my hair while drying it.
"I'll do it after this," she murmured, gently guiding the brush through the strands.
When she finished, she turned off the dryer and set it aside.
Wrapping her arms around my shoulders, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
"I love you, Sloey," she whispered, inhaling the scent of my hair.
My face warmed. I untangled her hands from me and stood, turning to face her fully. "I love you more," I whispered back. I saw her throat bob as I reached up to loosen her tie and unbutton her shirt.
Smiling, I slid it off her shoulders, standing on my toes to kiss her lips. "Go on, take a bath. I'll wait for you," I murmured, brushing my fingers over her cheek.
She hummed, poking the tip of my nose. "Be right back," she said, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek before heading to the bathroom.
Lying down on the mattress, I hugged a pillow to my chest, staring at the ceiling. Maybe we should try to conceive again, I thought. The sound of running water from the bathroom pulled my attention.
Propping myself up on one elbow, I turned on my side, resting my temple against my knuckles. The silk of my lingerie clung to my curves as I listened to the faint rhythm of the shower. I was still in that position when the door opened.
Aurora emerged, patting her damp hair with a towel draped over her shoulder, dressed in a shirt and shorts. The moment our eyes met, she froze.
Smiling, I patted the empty space beside me, beckoning her closer. "Oh-kay," she scoffed lightly, crossing her arms. "What's going on here?"
Rolling my eyes, I groaned. "Didn't you say we should try making a baby tonight?"
I laughed when she glanced around the room as if checking for an audience—even though it was just the two of us. Tossing her towel aside, she rushed toward me, making me squeal as she leapt onto the bed, straddling me.
Giggling, I met her gaze as she braced her hands on either side of me. She leaned down, her silver eyes locking with mine. "Those hazel eyes of yours feel like a forest," she whispered, pressing a kiss to my eyelids. "They make me calm."
I smiled and cupped her cheek, tracing the edge of her jaw with my thumb. "You're still such a smooth talker, Aurora. Your silver eyes are like snow dust—no wonder people call you the Ice Queen. But to me, you'll always be my dawn."
She is the glimpse of light in my darkness. The only one who makes me feel whole.
Her brow arched, "Uh-huh," a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Your dawn... but don't you already have two of me?"
A laugh slipped from me.
"I don't have two of you, okay? I only have you.
I'm not looking for another." I exhaled softly and shifted, swinging a leg over her thigh until I was sitting on her lap—right above the hard outline beneath her shorts.
My hands rested on her abdomen as I met her gaze. "Are you seriously jealous of Margot?"
Color rose in Aurora's cheeks. "People talk," she murmured. "The elites say you're collecting women who look the same..." She hesitated, then sighed. "I mean—"
"She reminds me of you," I interrupted gently. And it was true. The first time I met Margot, I'd even slipped once, calling her by Aurora's name. My eyes softened. "But she's not you, Ro. Margot will never be you."
I slid my hand beneath her shirt, my palm tracing the warmth of her skin. "Yes, maybe you look alike—but I know where my heart belongs. And it's yours." I lifted her shirt over her head and tossed it aside.
She looked away, flustered, her voice quiet. "Maybe I'm just... being insecure again. I always have been—about being intersex, about being left out by my father..."
"Ro." I leaned down, bracing one hand on the mattress while the other cupped her cheek.
Her silver eyes searched mine, fragile and honest. "You don't have to be insecure.
You don't have to compare yourself to anyone.
Yes, maybe she resembles you—but she's not you, and you're not her.
" I brushed my thumb over her cheek, my voice softening. "Besides, who am I with right now?"
I didn't want her to overthink just because she shared an almost similar face with someone else. Aurora pouted, exhaling sharply. "I'm sorry, okay? It's just... I didn't expect her to be there, too."
A laugh slipped past my lips as I rolled my hips against her bulge, earning a sharp intake of breath. I smirked down at her. "Of course she'd be there. Her company's been partnered with mine longer than anyone else's, Ro."
As I kept grinding on top of her, Aurora's hands gripped my waist, forcing me to press deeper against her. I could feel the heat of her arousal through the thin barrier between us. "Enough about her," she rasped, eyes darkening. "I want all your focus on me."
I tilted my head, smirking. "Then make me."
Aurora chuckled low in her throat and shifted our positions, guiding me down onto the mattress as she took control.
Her lips met mine—slow, hungry, devouring.
My fingers tangled in her hair while my legs wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the heat that pulsed between us.
Her hand cupped my cheek, tilting my face as the kiss grew deeper, wetter. Her free hand roamed my body—down my side, over my thigh—until her fingers brushed the edge of my core.
"Damn, Sol," she breathed against my mouth. "No underwear?"
All I could do was moan. I bit her lower lip, teasing until she groaned. Her fingers slid over my clit, torturing me with slow, deliberate movements that made my back arch and my breath shudder.
Aurora's tongue traced a path along my jawline, leaving wet heat in its wake before finding my neck. She bit down, hard enough to make me gasp. I knew she wanted to leave a mark. I let her.
She pushed the straps of my silk dress down my arms and gathered the fabric at my waist. The moment her hands cupped my breasts, kneading and pinching my hardened nipples, my body tensed beneath her.
A sharp moan escaped me when her mouth replaced her hands—tongue circling, lips sucking, her warmth driving me wild. My fingers clutched her hair, holding her closer as my breath came in short, trembling bursts.
Her tongue trailed lower, slow and deliberate, until it found my slick folds. "Oh—!" I cried out, clutching at her hair. "Fuck!"
Her tongue moved with maddening precision—licking, circling, thrusting—until I was trembling under her control. I tried to stifle a moan with my hand, but she caught my wrist and pulled it away.
"No, Sol," she rasped, her breath hot against me. "I want to hear you."
My chest rose and fell in shallow gasps. Aurora moved back, stripping off her shorts and underwear. Her hand wrapped around her shaft, stroking once before rubbing the tip against my clit. A soft moan escaped me, my body already begging for her.
"Goddamn it," I hissed under my breath.
She teased me again, tapping her thickness against me before sliding in slowly, making me gasp. "Ro—" I hitched, pressing a hand to her abdomen as she pushed deeper.
Aurora growled low, lifting my legs over her shoulders as she began to move. "What is it?" she teased, smirking between thrusts. "Does it hurt?"
I shook my head, flushed and breathless. It didn't hurt. If anything, I wanted her deeper—wanted all of her.
"Then take it," she commanded, driving into me again—slow, deep, relentless. My fingers dug into the sheets as I gasped for air.
"Damn, you look so fucking beautiful like this," she growled, her voice rough and hungry. Each thrust pushed a sound out of me, her body hovering above mine, power and desire wrapped into every movement.
"Goddamn it, Aurora!" I hissed, glaring at her through half-lidded eyes.
She shut hers, pounding harder, her voice breaking into a gasp. "God, Sloey," she breathed, hips slamming against mine. "You're so fucking tight around me."
Her lips crashed against mine again; urgent, consuming. The wet sounds of our bodies meeting filled the room, driving me closer to the edge. Every thrust, every pulse of her inside me, blurred thought into pure sensation.
"You're so good, Ro," I moaned, licking my lips as pleasure coiled low in my belly.
Aurora watched me, humming. "Mm-hmm, that moan? Do it again. Louder. Let the whole damn world hear what I do to you." She forced herself even more, as if the length of her inside me wasn't enough.
"Damn it, Ro," I hissed, my hand massaging my breast while the other rubbed my clit, my eyes locked on hers. "Fuck me harder."
She let out a scoff, sitting up straighter as she pulled my waist, thrusting me into oblivion. "Pretty naughty, aren't you, Sol?" she rasped. "I want to see my cum dripping out of you when I'm done."
I could only groan at the sensation. I wanted her. All of her. Damn it! "Keep going, keep going," I breathed, my body trembling at her movement.
"God, Ro," I moaned, grinding against her thrust. My mouth hung open, my breathing ragged as I felt my release building inside me.
She kept thrusting, holding my waist as she moved inside me, her body throbbing and still hard. A sharp gasp escaped me as I felt my body trembling, warmth overtaking me.
I panted and gasped, feeling Aurora's rhythm continue until a wave of heat flooded me.
Groaning, Aurora slumped against me, freeing my legs. My chest heaved as I wrapped my arms around her waist. She buried her face in my neck. "That's mine," she said raggedly. "Every drop belongs to you, Sol." She added this while still pressing against me.
I swallowed hard, hands wrapping around her as she pressed kisses to my shoulder.
A gasp escaped me when she pulled out from my core, collapsing beside me with her arm draped over my stomach.
"Damn," she hissed, chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.
Reaching for her face, I pulled her into a kiss. "I love you," I mumbled.
A smile plastered across her lips as she tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "I love you more." She said, looking at me and kissing my forehead before glancing down.
Following her gaze, I caught my breath. Her shaft was still hard, though streaked with white. When I looked at her, she was already watching me. I smiled. "Should I clean it up for you?"
Aurora raised a brow, blinking at me, then smirked. "Well, you made the mess. Clean it with your tongue."
I shrugged, moving down and positioning myself between her thighs. I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling it back as I lowered my head and sucked her, licking the juices off her. My head bobbed up and down until her hand tugged me closer, nearly making me gag.
Pulling back, I coughed lightly but wiped my mouth clean, licking the corner of my lips as I looked at her. "There, all clean."
"Goddamn it, Sol," she said, breathless, her face flushed.
?·???°???°???·?
My body jolted when something cold touched my cheek. When I looked up, I saw Soeren smiling at me as he handed me a glass of lemonade. I accepted it, and he sat on the chair beside me.
Dione was in the garden, playing with their dog. I smiled at her, taking a sip of the lemonade.
"So, how's your relationship with your wife so far, sis?" he asked, his eyes also darting toward Dione.
Placing the glass down on the table in front of us, I let out a sigh.
"We're doing just fine, Soeren," I said, a smile tugging at my lips.
"But..." I paused, looking down at my hands.
"She doesn't know about Dione—or about me manipulating the embezzlement of her company.
" I fidgeted with my fingers, exhaling deeply.
Soeren shifted in his chair, his gaze fixed on me. "You never really thought you two would start over again, did you, sis?"
I glanced at him quickly before looking back down at my hands.
Running my fingers through my hair, I let out a shaky breath.
"I..." My voice cracked as I leaned back, my eyes finding Dione again.
I covered my face and groaned. "I didn't expect things to turn out this way.
I mean..." I swallowed hard and looked back at my brother.
"My plan was just to cage her with marriage—to stop her from taking control of her life.
I wanted her to depend on me, and me alone. "
He sighed. "Then why don't you tell her the truth? You said there wouldn't be a divorce, right? She'll still be tied to you no matter what. So just tell her."
Wiping my face with my hands, I turned to him.
"Like how? 'Hey, Ro, I'm the one who caused your company's bankruptcy.
You wanna know why? Because I wanted you to feel what it's like to have no one beside you, to feel desperate when you lose something dear.
' Is that what I should say?" I let out a bitter laugh, realizing the weight of my own actions.
"If only.
.." My voice broke again. "If only I hadn't realized that I still love her, regardless of what happened between us, maybe I wouldn't be this torn.
Now I don't even know how to deal with it.
I caused her downfall, and her entire fortune is just sitting somewhere safe. "
Soeren stretched his arms above his head, groaning.
"Sis," he said with a soft laugh, "back then, before you even reached out to her, you were so sure of yourself—that you could make her beg, make her realize she needed you.
But now, look at you. Torn between what, exactly?
If you love her, then tell her the truth.
Whether she accepts it or not—that's Aurora's right. "
"But Soeren.
.." I whispered, biting the inside of my cheek.
I didn't want to lose Aurora again. Just the thought of it was enough to drive me insane.
But how could I possibly tell my wife that I was the reason for her ruin?
I groaned, throwing my head back against the chair.
"I'm losing my mind, goddamn it," I hissed under my breath, making my brother laugh.
He stood and reached over to pat my head. "Sis, I know you're older than me, but I trust you'll do the right thing before she finds out everything on her own."
My brow furrowed as I looked at him. "What are you saying?"
He shrugged. "A friend from the station told me your wife's been visiting Bianchi. Maybe she's trying to uncover the truth about the embezzlement."
I swallowed hard at his words. I knew Aurora had been investigating on her own—but I never thought she'd go that far. I only pushed that man to create the mess so I could corner him, not so it would lead to this.
Standing abruptly, I clutched my chest. "I... I think I need to go," I said, grabbing my handbag.
"Mommy!" Dione's voice stopped me. I turned to see her jogging toward me.
"Hey, sweetie," I said softly, patting her hair.
She tilted her head, her gaze dropping to my hand. "You're leaving already?" she asked.
Humming, I nodded. "Yes, sweetie." I glanced at Soeren and gave him a subtle nod, asking for a moment alone. Letting out a quiet sigh, I pulled the chair back and sat down once again.
I gestured for Dione to sit where Soeren had been a moment ago. She followed, looking a little confused, her brow furrowing as her innocent silver eyes searched my face.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" she asked softly.
Placing my handbag on my lap, I cupped her small face between my palms. "Remember when you told me you wanted me to marry your mommy number two?"
She nodded.
I swallowed hard, feeling the heavy thud of my heartbeat echo in my ears.
"Sweetheart, I need you to understand something.
" My voice faltered as I looked at her—Aurora's reflection in miniature form, only softer, purer.
"In order to marry your mommy number two, I did something terrible.
And she doesn't know what I've done. If she finds out.
.." I forced a shaky laugh, bitter and small.
"She'll be angry—terribly angry at Mommy. "
I looked away, exhaling sharply. "That's why I don't know what to do right now. I was thinking of going to her—to talk, like adults do. But I'm scared, sweetie. I don't know how she'll react."
Tilting her head, Dione reached for my hand, still resting against her cheek.
"Mommy, whatever you do, I'm sure you two will settle it.
" She smiled, her confidence unshaken, as if love alone could fix anything.
"Besides, you both love each other. You told me that's the most important thing, right? "
I swallowed again, fighting the ache in my chest. Laughing softly, I ruffled her hair.
"Well, Mommy needs to go." Leaning in, I pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Your Uncle Soeren will take you back to France, okay?
" I squished her cheeks gently before standing, grabbing my handbag.
She stood up too, her small hand finding mine. "Mommy," she said with a pout, "if ever she gets mad... please don't hate her, okay? I-I want us to have a happy family."
Her voice cracked on the last word. I could only hum softly, nodding as I squeezed her hand. The truth was, I didn't know what would happen once Aurora learned everything. All I could do was hope.
After saying goodbye to my daughter, I left my brother's house and drove straight to Aurora's office. My foot pressed harder on the accelerator than I meant to.
By the time I reached her building, my pulse was pounding. I rushed through the lobby, into the elevator, and pressed the button for her floor.
As the doors closed, I cupped my face and muttered to myself, "Wait. Hold on. Are you really ready to tell her the truth?" My reflection in the metal walls stared back at me—hesitant, terrified. "You're not ready," I whispered.
When the elevator chimed, I stepped out, my legs heavy. But before I could even reach her office, I saw her. Aurora stood in the hallway, leaning against the wall, rubbing her temple as if her mind had been grinding all day.
"Ro?"
She looked up, blinking. "Sloey?" she said, surprise softening her face. "Hey... I didn't know you'd be here." She stepped forward and kissed my cheek.
I smiled, brushing my thumb against her jaw. How could I possibly tell her? I didn't have the courage yet.
"Well," I began, clearing my throat, "I was nearby. Figured I'd stop by and check on you." I tried to sound casual. "You just finished another round of meetings?"
She wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked toward her office. "Yeah. It's draining, honestly. Talking numbers all day wears you down." Her laugh came out thin, almost hollow.
My brows furrowed. "Why? What's going on with your financials?"
She opened the door to her office and ushered me inside.
"Nothing's wrong," she said quickly, closing the door behind us before setting her things on the desk.
Then she led me to the couch, where we sat side by side.
"We're just reviewing everything tied to the embezzlement.
" Her voice dropped lower, like she was still processing every detail.
I forced a hum, trying to sound neutral, innocent even.
Crossing my legs, I rested my arms across my chest. "Normally, embezzled funds can't be recovered.
Most of the money gets moved into shell accounts as cash.
It's rarely a direct transfer from one account to another. "
Aurora sighed. "That's true—but we're talking about billions, Sloey. What we've traced so far is only in the tens of millions. What about the rest of the missing funds?"
My stomach clenched. Every word she said felt like a blade grazing closer to the truth I'd buried.
My jaw clenched, and God, I hoped she didn't notice how stiff I was becoming.
The tens of millions she mentioned? They were part of the plan—to have a single transaction visible for the embezzlement.
That was aside from the money Monsieur Bianchi had stolen in the earlier years.
I glanced at her and saw how tense she looked just talking about it.
"Ro, money like that can't just sit in a vault," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Billions could fill an entire bedroom. More often, it's layered into banks in smaller amounts, disguised as ordinary transactions. "
Shifting in my seat, I turned to face her, studying her reaction. "Why are you still tormenting yourself over this? Everything's going smoothly, isn't it? You've already pushed past breakeven."
The money that had been embezzled from her company—I'd been slowly investing it back, along with the agreed amount I promised to cover. Her company's standing had improved, showing significant growth since I began returning her money piece by piece.
She let out a sigh, resting her head on my shoulder.
"It's just... billions could've helped expand the company, given people space to work—a chance to breathe.
Instead, it's gone. And if we compare our current gains to what we lost?
We're still in the red. We can't rehire everyone we laid off. "
Clenching my fist, I tried to calm myself. If I invested the embezzled amount in one go, it would draw suspicion. I just needed to move carefully until every last cent found its way back to her.
Aurora straightened up, meeting my gaze. "Maybe I should sell one of my houses. It's worth billions—I could put it back in as an additional investment."
I couldn't help but click my tongue. She would just waste her assets over nothing; her company wasn't even near bankruptcy anymore. I'd done everything I could to keep her from losing it all—by manipulating the man she trusted most.
Cupping her cheeks, I forced a faint smile. "Easy. Think it through, Ro. You're rushing again." I shook my head slowly.
"I just..." she hitched, her voice trembling. "I just don't want my people buried by this stress. Even if we pass breakeven and bring in more investors, it doesn't change the truth—we lost a fortune in potential capital gains, in returns we'll never get back."
My chest ached just seeing her like that, and yet my mouth refused to spill the truth about the embezzlement. Instead, I wrapped her in my arms, letting myself feel just how fake I was in that moment.