After Julian finished treating Aurora’s wounds and everyone else had left, he said, “It’s getting late; I’ll take you back to your room to rest.”
“Okay,” Aurora nodded in agreement.
Since the two were not yet married, the butler had arranged separate rooms for them.
“Let’s rest here tonight, and we’ll leave early tomorrow.”
Aurora’s room was next to Julian’s, not because Julian didn’t want to sleep with her. In fact, they hadn’t had a chance to be intimate for a while and he was going crazy with desire, but he worried that he couldn’t restrain himself due to her not yet fully recovered body, so he decided they should sleep in separate rooms.
“Julian, aren’t there any issues you want to ask about the share transfer?” Aurora assumed he would have something to say, yet he hadn’t even asked a single question, let alone make a comment.
“It was all arranged before I came, wasn’t it? Anyway, everything has been transferred to you, so just keep it,” Julian replied indifferently.
“Oh, okay then, I’m going to sleep,” Aurora said as she stretched, feeling a sense of novelty as it was her first time staying over at this place.
The guest room was immaculate, and the butler had thoughtfully provided some toiletries and pajamas.
“I’m just next door, knock if you need anything,” Julian instructed. Despite it being his place, he couldn’t help but worry, as the mansion was full of people with various intentions.
“It’s just sleep, what could happen? I’m going to take a bath now.”
“Remember not to get your hand wet,” Julian reminded her.
“Okay, Julian, good night,” Aurora said, and tiptoed up to give Julian a peck on the lips.
That kiss was meant as a simple goodnight from her, but for Julian, it was a spark that could start a wildfire.
He pinned her against the corridor wall and deepened the kiss, his whole body screaming with desire for her.
“Julian… stop…”
Aurora was somewhat shy, conscious of not being at home and the many people residing in the large villa.
Hayden stood at the end of the corridor, watching the pair kiss. His hand lightly pressed against Julian’s chest, seemingly trying to push him away, but such a gentle force was undoubtedly flirtatious to a man.
He wished that he was the one embracing her.
Aurora, feeling Julian’s increasing heat, pushed him away, “Julian, stop, that’s enough.”
Only then did she notice Hayden standing not far away. Had he seen everything?
She no longer harbored any resentment toward Hayden and did not wish to use such a situation to provoke him, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Julian casually glanced at Hayden and then pecked Aurora on the lips again, “It’s chilly tonight, and since I won’t be sleeping with you, make sure you don’t kick off your covers.”
“I know, I’m not a child anymore,” Aurora said shyly as she closed her door. She used to think she was quite independent, but that man had spoiled her terribly; indeed, he would actually cover her at night.
Julian didn’t say anything and went straight to his room. His door slammed shut with a bang, leaving Hayden at the end of the corridor, his silhouette elongated by the lighting.
His fists clenched tightly, the image of their passionate kiss haunting him; they looked so sweet together, while he was all alone.
“Why are you standing here? I’ve been waiting for you in the room for ages,” Susan said, noticing Hayden standing still and silent.
She pulled him back with her, wrapping her arms tightly around him from behind, “Hayden, I can overlook the past. I know you like Aurora, but she already has someone she loves.
Things have turned out this way; we are married now, and I am your wife. She will have her own life.”
“You’ve seen how well Julian treats her; that person won’t let go. Can’t we just live our lives well?”
“I took time off specifically, canceled all my appointments, and planned for us to go abroad for our honeymoon to enjoy our time together,” he said.
Susan started to make overtures to Hayden, hoping he would change his mind. Now that her career was in shambles, she couldn’t afford to lose Hayden too.
“You took time off just for this?” Hayden scoffed, removing his fingers from around his waist one by one, “The whole country knows what you’ve done. You’re too scared to even go out, let alone do anything else. Susan, don’t kid yourself, I could never love you.”
“Why not? Aurora’s never coming back. Why can’t you love me?”
“Have you forgotten the deal we made back then?” Hayden reminded her.
Susan bit her lip, recalling that night. She had orchestrated a scenario involving Aurora and Hayden, drugging Hayden so that he would end up in a haze and sleep with her.
The next day, as Hayden groggily remembered the events of the night, he demanded, “How could you set me up?” He looked coldly at Susan, his eyes chillingly frosty.
“Hayden, I’m sorry, it’s just that I loved you too much. I didn’t want to do this; I couldn’t control myself.”
“Do you realize that this only makes me despise you more?”
“Even if you’re unwilling, what happened last night has already happened, Hayden. You were my first.”
“So what? The only person I love is Aurora…”
he said, dressing to leave.
But Susan had a video camera in hand.
“Unfortunately, that won’t work. I recorded everything last night; you and Aurora will never have a chance again.”
“You’re so cruel!”
“I’m sorry, I just love you too much, Hayden. I know what you want, and with my help, you can have it. Aurora has no standing in the Montgomery family; being with her brings you no benefits. The Simmons family has only one daughter-me.
Being with me is the best choice. Everything in the Simmons family will be yours, and I will help you secure the inheritance rights of the Alvarez family.
Aurora can’t offer you that. She would only be a burden to you, Hayden. I love you, I truly do.”
Susan knew what he wanted and needed, making her proposal unstoppable. Hayden would not refuse unless Aurora meant more to him than his future and career. No man would willingly give up so much, and Hayden, though outwardly genteel, had great ambitions.
As expected, after making her offer, Hayden hesitated. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, “Your terms?”
“I want something simple-I want to be Mrs. Alvarez.”
“Fine, our relationship will be nothing more than a transaction. I will make you Mrs. Alvarez, and you will help me secure the inheritance rights of the Alvarez family.”
“Deal.”
At that time, she hoped one day he would fall in love with her, while he planned to leave Susan once he had everything.
Both had their needs and plans, yet things were never as simple as imagined.
After three years together, Hayden still hadn’t fallen for her. He kept hoping Aurora was still waiting for him, that once he secured the inheritance, he could finally be with her without distractions.
But life is full of unexpected changes, and both of them had miscalculated.
Hayden stepped out of Susan’s embrace, “From start to finish, our relationship was nothing more than a transaction. I’ve secured the inheritance rights, and you, you’re now Mrs. Alvarez. From now on, you have no right to aspire for anything else.”
“But all I ever wanted was you!”