Aurora couldn’t sleep that night. The walls of her small room felt like they were closing in, and the events of the evening played over and over in her mind. Lucas’s cruel words echoed in her ears, but it was her own defiance that scared her the most.
She had spoken back to him. She had challenged him.
And she had survived for now.
The house was silent, the kind of quiet that made her skin crawl. She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the moonlight streaming through the barred window. Her fists were clenched tightly in her lap, her knuckles white.
A sudden knock on the door made her jump.
“Aurora,” a maid whispered from the other side. “Come quickly.”
Aurora’s heart raced as she opened the door. The maid’s face was pale, her eyes darting nervously down the hallway.
“What’s wrong?” Aurora asked, her voice trembling.
“Lucas is in the cellar,” the maid said hurriedly. “He told the staff to stay away, but… I heard things. Voices. Someone is with him.”
Aurora frowned. “Someone? Who?”
“I don’t know,” the maid whispered. “But it sounded… dangerous. Please, don’t tell anyone I told you.”
Before Aurora could ask more, the maid disappeared into the shadows, leaving her alone in the dim hallway.
Curiosity and Danger
Aurora’s heart pounded as she crept down the stairs, her bare feet silent on the cold stone steps. She didn’t know why she was doing this. Every instinct told her to stay in her room, to avoid Lucas at all costs.
But something pulled her forward-a quiet, burning need to understand.
When she reached the cellar door, she pressed her ear against the wood. Faint voices drifted through the thick door, muffled but urgent.
“You told me this would be handled,” a man’s voice said sharply. It wasn’t Lucas’s voice. It was deeper, colder.
“It is being handled,” Lucas replied, his tone calm but tight. “You need to trust me.”
“There’s too much risk,” the other man said. “If Damian finds out-”
“Damian won’t find out,” Lucas interrupted. “He’s too busy with his new bride to even suspect what’s happening.”
Aurora’s breath caught. She leaned closer, straining to hear more.
“And the girl?” the man asked.
“She’s mine,” Lucas said firmly. “That hasn’t changed.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Lucas,” the man said. “If this falls apart, we’ll both suffer.”
“It won’t,” Lucas said coldly. “I’ve waited too long for this. Damian will pay, one way or another.”
Aurora’s mind raced as she tried to piece together their conversation. What were they planning? And what did it have to do with Damian?
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Aurora stumbled forward.
Lucas stood in the doorway, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked down at her. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Aurora froze, her heart pounding in her chest. “I-I heard voices,” she stammered. “I was… worried.”
“Worried?” Lucas repeated, a cruel smile spreading across his face. “How touching.”
The other man stepped into view, his face partially hidden by the shadows. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a scar running down the side of his face. His dark eyes flicked to Aurora, his expression unreadable.
“Is this her?” the man asked, his voice cold.
Lucas’s smile widened. “Yes,” he said. “This is Aurora.”
The man studied her for a moment before turning back to Lucas. “She’s the key, isn’t she?”
Lucas nodded, his gaze never leaving Aurora. “She is.”
Aurora’s stomach twisted. “Key? Key to what?”
Lucas ignored her question, stepping closer until he was towering over her. “You’ve been busy tonight, haven’t you, little one?” he said softly, his tone mocking. “First, you embarrass me at the wedding, and now you’re eavesdropping.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Aurora said quickly. “I just”
“Enough,” Lucas interrupted, his voice sharp. “You’re testing my patience, Aurora. And trust me, that’s not something you want to do.”
The scarred man cleared his throat, drawing Lucas’s attention. “If she’s that important, you need to keep her under control,” he said bluntly.
“I’m aware,” Lucas said, his voice tight.
The man turned to leave, his footsteps echoing on the stone floor. “You’d better be,” he said over his shoulder. “Because if Damian finds out what we’re planning, it’s over.”
When the man was gone, Lucas turned back to Aurora, his expression dark and unreadable.
“You’re full of surprises tonight,” he said quietly, stepping closer.
Aurora backed away instinctively, her heart racing. “What are you planning?” she asked, her voice trembling. “What does this have to do with Damian?”
Lucas laughed softly, shaking his head. “You’re not in a position to ask questions, little one,” he said. “But since you’re so curious, let me make one thing clear: Damian isn’t the hero you think he is. He’s just as ruthless as I am.”
“That’s not true,” Aurora said quickly.
Lucas smirked. “Isn’t it?” he asked. “Tell me, Aurora. Did Damian ever tell you about his father? About the deal that brought you here?”
Aurora’s breath hitched. “What are you talking about?”
Lucas leaned down, his face close to hers. “Damian sold you out,” he said softly. “He let his father take you, and he didn’t lift a finger to stop it.”
“You’re lying,” Aurora said, her voice shaking.
“Am I?” Lucas said, his smile cold. “Ask him yourself, if you ever get the chance. But I wouldn’t count on that happening.”
Aurora’s mind spun as his words sank in. Could it be true? Had Damian betrayed her?
Lucas straightened, his expression hardening. “Go back to your room,” he said sharply. “And stay there. If I catch you snooping again, you’ll regret it.”
Aurora nodded quickly, her legs trembling as she turned and hurried up the stairs.
A Growing Fire
Back in her room, Aurora collapsed onto the bed, her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath. Lucas’s words echoed in her mind, a cruel reminder of how trapped she truly was.
But beneath the fear, something else burned-a spark of anger, stronger than before.
She didn’t know if Lucas was telling the truth, but she was determined to find out.
And when she did, she would make sure neither Lucas nor Damian would ever control her again.