Aurora's heart skipped a beat as she heard the front door slam shut. Xavier's urgent shouts for her sent a shiver down her spine. "AURORA!"Fear gripped her, and without a second thought, she rushed toward the door, intending to lock it from the inside. But her world unraveled when an unknown force pushed the door open with violent force, sending her tumbling backward.Her eyes widened with shock as she saw Xavier, her husband, standing at the door alongside a mysterious woman. Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice quivering as she tried to speak. "w-what........"Suddenly, the unfamiliar woman walked in and seized Aurora's hair in a cruel grip and forcibly dragged her outside the penthouse. "Who a-are y-you...L-let g-go....."Aurora's pleas fell on deaf ears as she sobbed uncontrollably.The woman's grip tightened around Aurora's hand, her nails digging into her skin as she dragged her towards the door. Aurora's heart raced, fear flooding her senses. She stole a glance back at Xa

After arriving at the penthouse, Xavier headed straight for the bathroom. He shed his clothes and stepped under the cold shower, the water cascading over him. As the chill enveloped him, he couldn't help but reflect on the events at the pub. Why hadn't she seized the opportunity to marry another billionaire, one who actually wanted her? Why was she behaving as if he had wronged her? His mind drifted back to the image of her tear-streaked face, and his hand instinctively moved to his chest, where his heart pounded furiously. Why did her tears stir something within him, a pang of sadness that he couldn't quite shake off? No, no...no. They were just crocodile tears. She was a masterful actress, after all. "Relax, Xavier," he whispered to himself, attempting to push away the nagging doubts gnawing at his mind. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "It's just been too much drama for one day," he muttered, hoping to convince himself that it was all just an

Xavier's emotions churned as he looked at her standing there, wrapped in just a towel. Confusion and curiosity mingled inside him, but her big, beautiful blue eyes softened his initial anger. Entranced, he found himself lost in her gaze, momentarily forgetting everything else. His eyes drifted down to her lips, a flicker of desire breaking through his resolve. "Control," his mind screamed, urging composure. But as he met her gaze, seeing fear in her eyes, a protective instinct welled up inside him. He tightened his grip around her waist, mirroring the hold she had on him, drawing her closer. His firm touch sent shivers down her spine, amplifying her trembling as fear and regret surged through her. Why had she entered his room, knowing his temper? The question echoed in her mind. In that moment, a strong urge to flee overwhelmed her—to escape from the penetrating gaze of the man who was meant to be her husband. But first, she had to find her voice to explain. Summoning courage,

The scent of aged leather mingled with the rich aroma of whisky swirling in Xavier's glass, its golden hue reflecting the flickering flames in the hearth. Paperwork lay scattered on a nearby table, a reminder of tasks demanding his attention, but his eyes flickered over them without focus. Seated in his study's leather armchair, Xavier's gaze was drawn to the fire, lost in a labyrinth of thoughts and emotions. Frustrated, he took a huge gulp of whisky, hoping the warmth would drown out the chaos within. The image of Aurora, her delicate form wrapped in a towel, hair dripping with water, haunted him. Her presence had stirred something deep within, an unfamiliar yearning that both thrilled and frightened him. The way her wet locks cascaded over her shoulders, droplets glistening like liquid diamonds, captivated him. Even in such a simple moment, her natural allure was undeniable, tugging at emotions he struggled to comprehend. "No!" He slammed the whiskey hard onto his desk.

Aurora's fingers glided gently over the scattered fragments, treating each shard with a sense of respect as if the remnants still whispered stories of the vase's lost elegance. The cool, polished edges shimmered softly in the ambient light, highlighting the peril they represented. She proceeded with care, her movements deliberate, completely absorbed in the pieces laid out before her. Everything outside her focused task faded into the background, and she remained unaware of the quiet sound of the penthouse door opening, a mere murmur against the city's distant buzz. On her knees, Aurora’s thoughts drifted as she reached for another shard, still surprised that Xavier hadn’t punished her for breaking the vase. She could tell he was angry—his eyes had darkened when he saw the damage—but the reaction she had braced for never came. It wasn’t like him to let something like this slide, and that unsettled her even more. She knew better than to relax. His silence might only be temporary,