Aurora. Once he’s done with you, you’ll be discarded like everyone else.” Lily’s voice dripped with disdain, her eyes hard as she tried to intimidate Aurora.
Aurora didn’t flinch. “I don’t care about being his interest or anything else you think I want from him, Lily. I just want my friend back, and if that’s too much for you to understand, then that’s your problem.”
Lily’s face twisted with anger. She seemed almost taken aback by Aurora’s defiance, but she quickly recovered, narrowing her eyes. “You’re only here because he’s allowing it. Don’t mistake his favor for something more. You’re a toy, Aurora, just like all the others before you. And once he’s bored, you’ll see just how little you mean to him.”
Aurora could feel the venom in Lily’s words, but she refused to let it rattle her. “Maybe that’s true, but unlike you, I’m not trying to win his affection. So if you’re jealous, that’s on you.”
Lily’s face turned red with fury, her fists clenched at her sides. For a moment, Aurora thought she might lash out, but instead, Lily took a deep breath, regaining her composure. She gave Aurora one last icy glare, then spun on her heel and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Aurora let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her heart was still racing, but she felt a small sense of victory. She wouldn’t let anyone intimidate her, not Damian, not Lily, and certainly not anyone who thought they could control her.
She spent the rest of the night pacing, unable to sleep, her mind racing with thoughts of Luna. The sight of her friend’s terrified face lingered in her mind, and she knew she couldn’t abandon her. She had to come up with a plan to help Luna, even if it meant risking everything.
The next morning, Aurora woke early, her resolve hardened. She would play along with Damian’s games for now, pretending to be the obedient girl he expected, but she would be looking for every opportunity to help Luna escape.
At breakfast, Damian was waiting for her, his usual smirk in place. He watched her as she took a seat, his eyes filled with amusement.
“Sleep well?” he asked, his tone dripping with mock concern.
Aurora forced a polite smile, determined to hide her anger. “As well as I could, given the circumstances.”
He chuckled, clearly enjoying her discomfort. “You’re stronger than I thought. Most would have broken by now.”
She met his gaze, refusing to let him see any weakness. “I’m not most people.”
Damian raised an eyebrow, a glint of admiration in his eyes. “No, you’re not.” He leaned back, studying her with a predatory gleam. “And that’s what makes this interesting.”
Aurora felt a chill run down her spine, but she kept her expression neutral. She couldn’t let him see her fear or anger. Not yet.
As the days passed, Aurora kept her head down, doing her best to avoid drawing any more of Damian’s attention than necessary. She knew that Lily was watching her, and she could feel the hostility in the other woman’s gaze whenever they crossed paths. But she ignored it, focusing on gathering information about Damian’s estate and searching for any potential allies among the servants.
One night, as she was walking through the garden, she overheard a conversation between two of the servants. They spoke in hushed tones, discussing rumors of Damian’s dealings with influential men who bought and sold people like goods. Aurora’s heart pounded as she realized the extent of Damian’s power-and the danger she was truly in.
But this information only strengthened her resolve. She would not let him continue to control her or hurt those she cared about. She would find a way to save Luna, no matter what it took.
A week later, Damian summoned her to his study. Aurora entered, her heart pounding as she steeled herself for whatever he might say.
He looked up from his desk, a satisfied smile on his face. “You’ve been behaving quite well, Aurora. I’m impressed.”
She forced a polite nod, knowing she had to play along. “Thank you.”
He stood, crossing the room until he was mere inches away from her. She could feel the intensity of his gaze, but she refused to back down.
“I trust you’ve come to accept your place here,” he murmured, his voice low.
Aurora kept her expression calm, her voice steady. “If that’s what it takes to survive, then yes.”
His smile widened, a dark satisfaction in his eyes. “Good. You’ll learn that obedience has its rewards, Aurora.”
But as he turned away, a plan began to form in her mind. She would gain his trust, just as he thought he had won her over, and when he least expected it, she would make her move. She would save Luna and escape this place once and for all.