Aurora’s Pov
After feeling heartbroken since Ryan and his fiancee left, I decided I wouldn’t stay here and cry over what never belonged to me in the first place.
It was funny, calling her his fiancee, like I had any right to be upset about it.
I got up and decided to look around the apartment instead. Sitting in one place wasn’t going to help me.
I walked to the sitting room, taking a proper look at it. It was beautiful. I loved the color combination-warm and inviting, like something out of a magazine. Even though I was upset with myself, I couldn’t stop admiring it.
There was another room. What was I doing with two rooms? It wasn’t like I was planning to keep the place anyway.
The kitchen ended up being my favorite part of the apartment. The fridge caught my attention first, so I opened it. It was fully stocked with all kinds of snacks and food.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I opened every cupboard. They were filled too. Whoever had prepared this place had thought of everything.
Wow.
I stood there for a moment, overwhelmed. How was I ever going to repay this? My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my stomach grumbling loudly.
I laughed softly to myself. Well, I had to eat first before figuring out how to deal with everything else.
I decided to make a quick meal, something simple to calm my nerves and keep myself going.
***
Once I was done cooking, I grabbed some water and a soft drink from the fridge to go with the food.
Halfway through my meal, I heard a knock at the door.
I sighed, setting my fork down. What could Jaime possibly want now?
I got up, walked to the door, and opened it.
It wasn’t Jaime. It was Ryan.
The moment I saw him, my chest tightened. I stepped back instinctively. I didn’t want to see him. Or maybe I did, but not right now.
He stood there, looking at me, his expression unreadable.
“Can I come in?” he asked, his voice soft.
I crossed my arms, trying to act indifferent. “You don’t have to ask. It’s your apartment. I’m just a visitor here.”
I turned around and walked back inside, leaving the door open for him. He followed, taking three steps before he grabbed my wrist gently.
The warmth of his hand made me freeze. I turned around slowly to face him.
“Aurora…” he started.
“Ryan, there’s nothing to say,” I interrupted quickly, cutting him off before he could say more. “You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
I forced a smile, even though it felt so fake. My chest ached, but at least I was smiling. That had to count for something.
“First off, you are not a tenant. This place belongs to you, Aurora. Do not even think of returning anything to me. It is all yours,” he said to me, and I could tell he meant it.
“And secondly, do not get me wrong about my fiancee,” he started again.
“Ryan, just stop. Stop it. I do not want to do this now or ever,” I cut him off, my voice trembling.
“Go have a good life with your soon-to-be wife. You are my boss. Please, let us keep it that way,” I added, my heart breaking as I said those words.
He tried stepping closer, but I instinctively moved back.
“I am not ready to have this discussion. I cannot be the cause of a broken home. Just leave me out of it,” I said, my voice shaking as tears began to pool in my eyes.
I hated how easily I teared up, even in situations like this.
“Aurora, everything is not as you think it is. You do not understand,” he said as he stepped closer, grabbing my arms gently.
I looked at him, my emotions in turmoil. I liked him. No, I like him. This is so messed up.
“I understand perfectly,” I said, my voice breaking. “You have a fiancee, and yet you kissed another woman. Me. I feel guilty, Ryan.”
“I do not want to see you as someone who is not good to his fiancee. Please, go,” I added, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
“Aurora, listen to me,” he pleaded.
I pulled myself out of his hold, stepping further away from him.
“You said this place belongs to me, right?” I asked, looking up at him.
“Yes, and everything in it,” he replied, his voice steady but still carrying that cold tone he always had.
I nodded, trying to compose myself. “I really appreciate you, Ryan. I do not even know what to do to repay you,” I said, my gaze dropping to my feet.
“You do not have to do anything, Aurora. I will explain everything to you soon,” he said, his voice softening slightly, as if he was trying to show some emotion.
“There is nothing to explain. Please, leave. Sir,” I said, emphasizing the word.
“Sir?” he repeated, his brows furrowing.
“Yes, sir. You are my boss,” I said firmly, even though I felt like I was crumbling inside.
“Can I take tomorrow off? I need to sort some things out. Please, sir,” I added, trying to keep my tone professional. It was time to draw a line.
“Take all the time you need, Aurora. I do not mind,” he replied, his voice calm but laced with something I could not quite place.
The way he said my name made my heart ache even more. I should not feel this way, but I did.
“No, just tomorrow. We were nothing, and we should not be having this discussion,” I said, trying to steady my voice.
“It is late now. I have to go to bed,” I added, turning away from him.
“I will give you some time. You will come to understand everything soon,” he said softly.
I froze when he added, “Goodnight, my little one,” before turning and walking out.
He was gone. Our story, one that never even had a beginning, had come to an end.
I locked the door and walked into the bedroom, my mind heavy with thoughts. I laid down on the bed, trying not to let my thoughts consume me.
Tomorrow, I would confront the two people who had made my life miserable.
With that decision, I let sleep take over, hoping it would bring some peace to my restless mind.
*****
When I woke up the next morning, my mind was still heavy with thoughts that refused to go away. I got out of bed quickly, deciding to prepare for the day. Home was not far from here, but I needed to see my mother. Maybe I could even persuade her to come and stay with me for a while. Or forever.
I could not deny it, I was scared. Scared of Marcus. Scared of Greg. But I could not let it show. I had to be strong, not just for myself but for her too.
When I was done dressing, I looked at myself in the mirror. The dark blue gown I wore hugged me just right, giving me a sense of confidence I desperately needed. With one last deep breath, I left the apartment, stepping out to hail a taxi that would take me to the train station.
The ride to the station was uneventful, but my thoughts were anything but quiet. Memories of my past tangled with the present, creating a mess I could not seem to unravel. When I boarded the train, I found a seat near the window and tried to calm myself.
Silvercrest City. The place I had left behind. The place that held so many dark memories but also the one light in my life-my mother.
As the train moved, I tapped my feet nervously, unable to keep still. My heart raced at the thought of going back. I tried to focus on anything but the growing anxiety building inside me, but it was impossible.
“Are you okay?” a woman beside me asked, her voice gentle and full of concern.
I turned to her, startled. Her kind eyes studied me, and for a moment, I wanted to spill everything. But instead, I forced a small smile and nodded. “Yes, I’m fine,” I lied.
She smiled back, a warm, understanding smile that made my chest ache. That was a mother’s smile. And that was exactly why I needed to see my own mother.
The train ride felt like an eternity, but finally, the announcement came. “Next stop, Silvercrest City.”
My heart sank and soared at the same time. I gathered my things and stepped off the train, the familiar air of my hometown greeting me like an unwelcome guest.
I hailed a taxi and gave the driver my home address. As we drove through the streets, memories flashed before me like an old film reel. Nothing had changed. The streets, the buildings, the people, they were all the same. I had only been gone for a short while, but somehow, I had expected things to be different.
Maybe it was because of how Ryan had treated me. How he had shown me a glimpse of a world so different from this one.
The taxi pulled up to my childhood building. I stepped out and stared at it for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest. My legs felt heavy as I walked toward the door, each step bringing me closer to what I had been dreading.
When I reached the door, I hesitated. My hand hovered over the wood for a moment before I knocked. No answer.
I knocked again, harder this time.
Then I heard it, footsteps approaching from the other side. My heart sank, and I knew. I knew who it was before the door even opened.
The lock clicked, and the door creaked open.
There he stood. Greg. His eyes met mine, and neither of us said a word.
Then I found my voice. Stronger than I thought it would be.
“I’m here to see my mother,” I said, holding his gaze.