The ride back to Lucas’s house felt endless. Aurora sat stiffly in the corner of the carriage, her hands shaking. She tried to make herself as small as possible, hoping he wouldn’t speak to her.
But Lucas didn’t need to say anything. His silence was worse. She could feel his cold eyes on her, watching her every move, and it made her stomach twist in fear.
When the car finally stopped, Lucas stepped out first. Then, without a word, he reached inside and grabbed Aurora’s arm.
“Get out,” he snapped, his grip tight.
Aurora stumbled out of the carriage, trying to keep up as he dragged her up the stone steps to the house.
“Lucas, please,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“Walk faster,” he growled. “You’ve embarrassed me enough for one night.”
His words made her flinch, but she said nothing. She just let him pull her through the large front doors. The servants in the hall didn’t look at her. They bowed their heads and stepped aside as Lucas stormed past, dragging Aurora with him.
They went up the stairs and down a long hallway until they reached his room. Lucas threw the door open and shoved Aurora inside.
“Sit,” he barked, pointing to a chair near the fireplace.
Aurora hesitated for a moment too long.
“Sit down!” he yelled, his voice making her jump.
She quickly moved to the chair and sat, her hands gripping the edges tightly. She kept her eyes on the floor, too scared to look up at him.
The Breaking Point
Lucas began pacing in front of her. His steps were heavy, and his fists were clenched. His face was cold and angry.
“Do you even understand what you’ve done tonight?” he said sharply.
“I-I didn’t do anything,” Aurora said, her voice shaky.
Lucas froze. Slowly, he turned to look at her, his eyes narrowing. “You didn’t do anything?” he repeated, his tone mocking. “You let him see you!”
Aurora shook her head quickly. “He was the one looking at me,” she said softly. “What did I do wrong?”
Lucas laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and cruel. “What did you do wrong?” he said, stepping closer. “You were supposed to stay out of sight. You were supposed to be invisible!”
“I didn’t mean to draw his attention,” Aurora whispered, her voice breaking.
“Of course, you didn’t,” Lucas said mockingly. “But you did. And now, he’ll think he can take you back. Is that what you want, Aurora? Do you want him to come save you?”
“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “I don’t!”
“Liar,” Lucas hissed. “You think I didn’t see the way you looked at him? Like some lovesick fool.”
“I wasn’t-”
“You were,” he interrupted, his tone sharp. “You wanted him to notice you. Don’t lie to me.”
Aurora swallowed hard, her tears starting to fall. “You’re the one who wanted him to see me,” she said quietly.
Lucas stopped pacing. He tilted his head slightly, his cold smile fading. “What did you say?”
“You brought me to the wedding,” Aurora said, her voice trembling. “You wanted Damian to see me. So why are you angry at me now? What did I do wrong?”
Lucas’s smile vanished completely. He leaned down, his face close to hers, his eyes dark and dangerous. “What did you do wrong?” he repeated, his voice low and menacing. “You exist, Aurora. That’s what you did wrong. You make me look weak.”
His words cut through her, and she flinched, her body shaking.
“You think you’re clever,” Lucas continued, his voice soft but full of anger. “You think you can turn this around and blame me?”
“I’m not blaming you,” Aurora said quickly. “I’m just telling the truth.”
Lucas straightened, letting out a cold laugh. “The truth?” he said. “Here’s the truth: you’re a distraction. A problem. And yet, I keep wasting my time on you.”
Aurora wiped her tears with shaky hands. “If I’m such a problem, then let me go,” she said, her voice cracking.
Lucas froze, his expression darkening. “Let you go?” he repeated slowly.
“Yes,” Aurora said, looking up at him. “If you hate me so much, let me go. I’ll leave, and you’ll never have to deal with me again.”
For a moment, Lucas said nothing. Then he began to laugh, a harsh, bitter sound.
“Let you go?” he said again, his smile twisting into something cruel. “Oh, Aurora. You really are stupid, aren’t you?”
He stepped closer, towering over her as his voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “You don’t get to leave. You don’t get to escape. Not from me.”
Aurora’s breath hitched, her tears falling faster.
“You belong to me,” Lucas said coldly. “And the sooner you accept that, the easier your life will be.”
A Flicker of Defiance
Aurora lowered her head, her body trembling with silent sobs. But beneath her fear, something else stirred. It was small and weak, but it was there.
“You’re a coward,” she said suddenly, her voice quiet but steady.
Lucas froze, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “What did you say?”
“You’re a coward,” Aurora repeated, her voice shaking.
His hand shot out, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at him. “Say that again,” he said, his voice low and cold.
Aurora’s chest heaved, but she held his gaze. “You’re too afraid to face Damian yourself,” she said. “That’s why you brought me to the wedding. You wanted to hurt him, but you used me to do it.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened, and his grip on her chin grew firm. “Careful, little one,” he hissed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, I do,” Aurora said, her voice trembling but defiant. “He doesn’t care about you, Lucas. He never will.”
His eyes flashed with fury, and for a moment, she thought he might hit her. But then he let her go, stepping back with a bitter laugh.
“You’re brave,” he said mockingly. “But you’re also stupid. That little spark of yours won’t last, Aurora. I’ll make sure of it.”
The Calm After the Storm
Lucas walked to the fireplace, pouring himself a drink. Aurora sat frozen in the chair, her heart pounding.
“You’ll learn,” Lucas said finally, his voice calm but cold. “You’ll learn to obey, to stay in your place. And when you do, your life will be much easier.”
Aurora didn’t respond, her throat too tight to speak.
“Go to your room,” Lucas said sharply, not looking at her.
Aurora stood slowly, her legs trembling as she moved toward the door.
“And Aurora,” Lucas called after her.
She stopped, her hand on the doorknob.
“Don’t ever challenge me again,” he said softly. “Because next time, I won’t be so patient.”
Aurora nodded quickly and slipped out of the room, her tears falling anew as she hurried down the dark hallway.