Chapter 35- The Re
The sunlight barely touched Aurora’s room, yet the air was thick with the kind of silence that feels like a bruise.
Her hair was still in slight tangles from the night before, makeup smudged faintly under her eyes.
She hadn’t slept much, maybe not at all. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Leonard’s face, the kiss, Oma’s expression when she lashed out.
It haunted her all night.
Aurora got up slowly and stood in front of the mirror.
Oma’s words replayed in her head like a broken record.
“You’re right. I don’t understand you anymore. Because every time I try, you build another wall and then hate me for not climbing it fast enough.”
“You’re my best friend, Aurora. I just wish you’d stop treating me like your enemy.”
Aurora looked at herself, eyes red, cheeks streaked. The guilt on her face said it all.
A soft knock came at the door.
She didn’t answer.
Gemma came in quietly and paused when she saw her. “Auri…” she said gently.
Aurora turned to her, her voice small. “Mom.”
Gemma walked closer and cupped her face, brushing her thumb over her cheek. “Come here.”
She led her to the bed and pulled her close, letting Aurora rest her head on her chest. She ran her fingers through her daughter’s hair slowly, the way she always did when Aurora was upset.
Aurora’s voice broke. “I’m a bad person. I hurt Oma. I hurt everyone. I keep pushing people away.”
“No, baby. You’re just tired. You said things you didn’t mean. Friends fight.”
Aurora shook her head. “It’s not just that. I make people care about me, then I hurt them. Oma didn’t deserve that. No one does.”
Gemma sighed softly. “You’ve been through a lot, Auri. You get scared and you react. That doesn’t make you a bad person.”
Aurora looked up, tears in her eyes. “If Ginny were still here, none of this would’ve happened. She took it all, Mom. Everything that should’ve happened to me, happened to her.”
Gemma’s eyes softened. “Oh, sweetheart…”
“She suffered, Mom. Seven of them. And I just stood there. I was saved, and she wasn’t. How is that fair?”
Gemma held her tighter. “It’s not. It’ll never be. But surviving isn’t wrong, Auri. It’s not your fault.”
Aurora’s voice cracked. “Then why does it still feel like it is?”
Gemma kissed her hair. “Because you loved her. That’s why.”
Aurora didn’t say anything. She just stayed there, breathing unevenly, her mom’s arms still around her.
Gemma rubbed her back. “You’re not a bad person, my love. You just need time to heal. That’s all.”
Aurora nodded weakly, sniffling.
“Try to rest, okay? The reunion is in the evening so you have time to rest. I'll call a stylist to get your hair done. I think it's time you let go of the red highlights.” Gemma whispered.
Aurora didn’t argue. She just leaned against her mother and closed her eyes, holding on tight like she used to when she was little.
For the first time in a long while, she let someone hold her without pulling away.
NEON HAVEN HOTEL
Nicole woke with a groan, her head pounding like a drum. The room was dim, curtains drawn, air heavy with silence. When she tried to move, she felt the sting around her wrists. Tied. Her pulse quickened.
She's still naked.
Zane stood a few feet away, motionless. His shirt was half-buttoned, his eyes vacant.
“Zane…” Her voice trembled.
He didn’t answer. Just stared.
“You shouldn’t have said that about her,” he said finally, quiet, steady, too calm.
He took a step forward. She froze.
“Aurora.” He said, his tone turning almost reverent, “Isn’t someone you get to insult. Ever.”
She tried to laugh it off, but her throat was dry. “Gawd, you’re obsessed…”
Zane’s hand slammed against the headboard, inches from her face. The sound made her jump.
“Don’t.” He whispered. “Don’t even say her name again.”
Nicole stared up at him, heart hammering, realizing this wasn’t jealousy anymore, it was devotion. Dangerous devotion.
He walked out and went to the bathroom.
It was at this moment she realized, she's f?cked.
LATER THAT DAY…
Aurora sat on her bed, phone in hand. She’d been calling for the past ten minutes, but Oma kept ignoring it.
Her chest tightened. She hit call again.
After a few rings, Oma finally picked up.
“What?” her voice came out flat.
“Oma…”
“I don’t wanna talk to you,” she said quickly. “Not now at least.”
Aurora swallowed hard. “Whatever I said, I didn’t mean it. I was just angry because…”
“Save it, Auri.” Oma cut in. “I know how this goes. You’ll apologize now, then do it again next week. I just need space. Please.”
“Oma…”
But the line went dead.
Aurora stared at her phone for a moment, then then threw the phone on her bed.
Her throat ached. She rubbed her eyes, fighting the sting there.
“Fine.” She muttered, half to herself. “Take all the space you want.”
She lay back on the bed, eyes on the ceiling. But the truth was louder than her pride.
She just missed her best friend.
Her mind drifted to Leonard. And that stupid kiss.
Did she… actually kiss him back?
God. She couldn’t even remember. Everything happened so fast, the music, the tension, his stupid face leaning in, and then boom, she’d slapped him into next week.
Now the memory just made her chest tighten and her cheeks burn.
“What the hell was that even?” She muttered under her breath, dragging a hand down her face.
She finally decided to go downstairs, she hasn't stepped on out of her room today.
Downstairs, the house was alive. Staff moved in quiet efficiency, arranging flowers, polishing glass, setting the long dining table. The sound of cutlery filled the villa.
Aurora stood at the top of the stairs, arms folded around herself, watching it all. For a second, she imagined being part of the busy rhythm, laughing, smiling, excited. But that version of her… felt like someone else entirely.
Gemma’s eyes softened. She walked up the stairs halfway, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Aurora’s ear. “Finally decided to come down.”
Aurora just simply hummed in agreement.
Gemma exhaled. “I know it’s not your kind of event. But try to bear with us tonight, hmm? Charlene and her family will be here soon.”
Aurora froze. Leonard.
Her heart gave that inconvenient little jump again, the one she pretended not to feel.
“Yeah.” She muttered, looking away.
“The stylist will be here soon, okay, get ready. I need to check what's happening in that kitchen.”
Aurora sighed and went back upstairs. Her mood getting even worse.
COLLETTE AND CHARLOTTE'S PLACE
Collette stayed in the bathtub far longer than she should have. The water had long gone lukewarm, her fingers wrinkled, her glass of champagne half-empty on the tiled edge.
But her mind wouldn’t stop replaying it, her.
Aurora.
The way she’d barged out of Leonard’s villa, jaw tight, cheeks flushed, every inch of her radiating that quiet kind of danger beauty shouldn’t have. That effortless kind of grace that made other girls feel suddenly… less.
Collette had seen her reflection in the car mirror and almost laughed at the unfairness of it all.
How could someone look that good and still seem so untouchable?
Her eyes flickered to the ceiling. “Perfection.” She muttered with a smile.
And yet, that perfection came out of Leo’s villa.
Her stomach twisted.
He’d never let another girl inside before. Not one.
They’d all come to the door, some even dared to beg, but Leonard Grande never opened the gates for anyone. Until her.
Did they talk?
Did they argue?
Or… did they do something else?
Collette sank lower into the water, covering her face with both hands. “Gawd,” She whispered. “So gorgeous.”
KIARA'S APARTMENT
Kiara lay sprawled on her bed, face buried in her pillow, the muffled sound of her own quiet sobs echoing around the room. Her mascara had already bled into the white sheets, black stains like bruises against fabric.
She’d told herself she wouldn’t cry again. Not over him. Not over her.
But the image kept replaying in her head, Aurora stepping out of Leonard’s villa. The way Leo had looked at her. The way his hand had gripped her arm before pulling her inside that evening.
Kiara’s chest tightened.
What did Aurora do to him? What spell did she cast to make the coldest man alive open his doors to her?
He doesn’t just let anyone in. He doesn’t even look at anyone twice.
“God…” she muttered, clutching her pillow tighter, “Did they... do it?”
Her voice cracked on the last word. She sat up suddenly, wiping her eyes with shaky fingers. “No. No, he wouldn’t.”
But her mind wouldn’t stop whispering the cruel possibilities.
That’s the only thing he does, isn’t it? He takes girls in… breaks them… leaves them wanting more. But Aurora…
She sniffed hard and pressed her palms to her face.
No, no, no.
If he slept with her, it wasn’t love. It was pity. Or maybe curiosity. Maybe he just wanted to see what the hype was about.
Yeah. That had to be it.
She laughed bitterly, the sound small and shaky. “He’s not in love with her. He’s just… bored.”
Her laughter faded. Silence filled the room again.
Kiara’s gaze fell to the mirror across from her bed. Her eyes were puffy, her lips trembling, but beneath all that mess was a spark, a dangerous one.
She sat straighter, wiping away the last of her tears. “No. I’m not losing him. Not to her.”
She stood, walked to her dresser, and opened her drawer. Her fingers brushed over a short black dress.
A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips.
“Fine,” she whispered, pulling the dress out and holding it against her. “I'll take the risk.”
She turned toward the mirror again, eyes colder now.
She wasn’t going to sit around crying while Aurora walked around like she owned him.
Tonight, Kiara decided, he was going to see her.
He was going to remember.
The Raven Mansion ~ Evening
The Raven Mansion glowed softly under the warm lights, laughter faintly echoing from the sitting room where Gemma and Melvin were already dressed for the night’s reunion.
“I can’t believe I’m finally seeing Charlene again after all these years. God, we’ve aged,” she said with a small laugh, turning to her husband. “Do you think I should go up and check on Aurora?”
Melvin looked up from his watch. “You know her, Gem. She’ll come down when she’s ready.”
Gemma sighed, brushing invisible dust off her gown. “That’s exactly what you always say.”
“Because it’s true.” He teased, kissing her cheek.
Upstairs, Aurora sat on her bed fully dressed, but in the most Aurora way possible. Baggy jeans, a loose hoodie, and her hair loosely tied. The glitter of the event didn’t touch her. She lay back, staring at the ceiling.
A soft knock came at her door before Gemma poked her head in.
“Honey, are you ready?”
Aurora turned her face away. “I don’t wanna go downstairs, Mom.”
Gemma walked in, her perfume filling the room. “Aurora…” she said softly, sitting beside her. “It’s just a dinner, not a battlefield.”
Aurora huffed, folding her arms. “I don’t feel like smiling at people I don’t remember.”
“You don’t have to smile,” Gemma said gently. “Just be there. That’s enough.”
Aurora turned her head, finally meeting her mother’s eyes. Something in Gemma’s warmth broke through her hesitation.
Before either could speak again, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the mansion.
Gemma’s eyes widened. “They’re here!” She stood quickly. “Aurora, come down soon, okay? Please.”
She hurried down the stairs, her heels clicking lightly on the marble. The massive front door opened, and Gemma’s face lit up.
“Charlene!” she squealed.
Both women rushed into each other’s arms, laughing, their embrace long and genuine.
“Oh my God, you look exactly the same!” Gemma said, eyes bright.
“You liar.” Charlene laughed. “You’re glowing, Gem.”
Behind her stood Amaya. “My little princess.” Gemma cooed, pinching her cheek.
Amaya offered a tight smile. “Not so little anymore.”
Then Gemma’s gaze shifted, and there he was.
Desmond Grande.
He carried himself the way Leonard did, calm, deliberate, with that quiet authority that filled a room before he even spoke. The resemblance was almost eerie: the same ocean-blue eyes, the same confident stance.
Gemma smiled warmly. “Desmond” She said, opening her arms.
He laughed softly. “Gemma Raven, still radiant as ever.”
Melvin joined them, clapping his old friend into a tight hug. “You haven’t changed a bit,” he said. “Still got that smug college face.”
Charlene laughed. “Oh, trust me, it’s gotten worse.”
Melvin side-hugged Charlene, then noticed Amaya again. “So this is the famous Amaya my wife won’t stop talking about.”
“Famous? Oh no.” Amaya chuckled lightly, her tone shy but polite.
The group moved into the sitting room, laughter mingling with the faint scent of Gemma’s candles.
“You know,” Melvin said, pouring Desmond a drink, “You could’ve at least called, old man. Didn’t have to wait for a reunion to see us again.”
Desmond smiled faintly. “I thought this would be better. Face to face, like old times.”
Charlene placed a hand over her husband’s. “He’s been looking forward to this, actually.”
Gemma’s heart swelled watching them. For a moment, it felt like the old days again, simple, bright, untouched by pain.
Charlene glanced around. “So where’s the little star of the family?”
Gemma turned toward the stairs. “Aurora! Come on, sweetie!”
A soft shuffle of feet followed. Aurora finally appeared at the top of the stairs, her oversized hoodie draped loosely over her frame, her hair flowing down her shoulders.
Desmond’s eyes widened slightly.
“This… this is Aurora?” He rose from his seat, disbelief softening his features. “The baby I used to carry around like a purse?”
Everyone laughed except Amaya, whose smile faltered almost immediately as her eyes fixed on Aurora.
Aurora smiled politely and walked closer. “Hello, Mr. Grande.”
Desmond stepped toward her, eyes warm. “Oh, none of that. You’re all grown up now. Come here.”
He reached out and cupped her cheek. The gesture was innocent, affectionate, fatherly, but Aurora stiffened instantly.
Her breath hitched.
Gemma saw it. So did Melvin.
But Aurora smiled faintly to mask it. “I’ll just… use the bathroom,” she murmured before slipping away.
In the bathroom, she gripped the sink, breathing hard. Her reflection stared back, pale and trembling. The memory of that rough, unfamiliar touch from years ago flashed behind her eyelids. Her stomach turned, and she threw up.
When she came out, the laughter of old memories filled the air again. Gemma glanced at her from across the room, eyes heavy with concern.
“So,” Gemma said softly to Charlene, forcing a smile, “where’s Leonard?”
Charlene smiled knowingly. “He’s on his way. You know him, always late, but never boring.”
At the mention of his name, Desmond’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. The easy charm in his face dimmed for a second, replaced by something unreadable.
Then, a sudden roar of an engine drifted in through the open window. The tires screeched lightly as the car came to a stop in front of the mansion.
Charlene smiled. “Speak of the devil.”
The bell rang again.
Gemma looked at Aurora with knowingly. “Sweetheart, would you get that?”
Aurora hesitated, her heartbeat quickening without reason. She walked to the door slowly, each step louder in her head than it should’ve been.
She reached for the handle. Her palm felt cold.
The door creaked open…
And there he was.
Leonard Grande.
Tall. Immaculate. Dressed lazy. His ocean-blue eyes met hers instantly, the same eyes that had haunted her for days.
For a moment, no one spoke. The world around them fell into quiet.
Just those eyes.
Just that pull.
And Aurora forgot how to breathe.
TBC…