Xavier stood alone in his room, his emotions still raw from the confrontation with Aurora. Despite feeling a tinge of remorse, he couldn't shake off the lingering doubt that she had brought this upon herself. He knew he hadn't treated her with kindness, but to him, she had crossed a line that warranted such treatment.As he paced back and forth, his mind replayed the events that led to this moment. The lies, the manipulation of his family. He couldn't simply overlook her actions and pretend everything was fine.Sighing heavily, Xavier glanced at his reflection in the mirror. The face staring back at him showed signs of weariness and conflict. He hated himself for allowing her to get under his skin, for allowing her to affect him so deeply. But deep down, he believed that his actions were justified.With a heavy heart, Xavier reluctantly admitted to himself that he didn't trust Aurora. There was something about her that didn't sit right with him. She was playing a game, hiding her true
Aurora lay beside the graves of her beloved parents, the words of Uncle William echoed in her mind like a haunting melody. His voice, filled with hope and wisdom, offered a glimmer of solace amidst the darkness that surrounded her."Aurora, my dear," he had said with a gentle smile, "I know you possess a soul that feels deeply. Your marriage with Xavier may not be the fairy tale you dreamed of, but within him lies a hidden gem. He may wear a hardened exterior, but deep inside beats a heart of gold. Be patient with him, seek to understand him, and in due time, your patience will bear the most beautiful fruit."She let out a weary sigh, the weight of her circumstances heavy upon her. Uncle William's words seemed both comforting and daunting. Could she truly find a way to penetrate Xavier's icy facade and touch the warmth within? Was it possible to salvage a future together by simply being her authentic self?The wind whispered through the surrounding trees, carrying the scent of bloomin
Xavier stirred from his slumber, the remnants of a troubled dream still lingering in his mind. The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. His eyes wandered to the clock on the bedside table, its hands ticking away the passing seconds. It was time to face another day.With a heavy sigh, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet finding the coolness of the wooden floor beneath. The weight of the previous night's events pressed upon him, threatening to consume his thoughts once more. Seeking solace, he craved the bitter comfort of a cup of coffee.Leaving the confines of his bedroom, Xavier made his way down the dimly lit hallway. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, enticing him further. As he entered the kitchen, his steps faltered, and his eyes widened in surprise.There, in the corner of the kitchen, bathed in soft morning light, lay Aurora her delicate form was curled up on the floor, her breathing steady
A heavy silence hung in the air, creating an uncomfortable tension between them. Xavier's voice broke the stillness, dripping with sarcasm and contempt."Fantastic! Fucking fantastic! You've managed to waste my precious time when I should be preparing for work." He said as he looked at the kitchen clockHe faced her once again, a mocking smile forming on his lips."As for your sleeping arrangements, I cannot have you on the floor. What would my father or my sister think? We wouldn't want them to perceive you as 'Poor little Aurora' the helpless victim and me as the heartless oppressor, would we?"Aurora lowered her eyelids not knowing how to react to that statement "Anyway, follow me. I'll graciously show you to your place, or should I say, your humble abode," he mused sarcastically.Aurora nodded silently, following Xavier as he led her to a room adjacent to the kitchen. The small space held a single bed, a modest side table, and a small cupboard. A separate door that probably led t
As evening draped the city in a velvet embrace, Xavier found himself nestled in his lavish penthouse office. The opulence that surrounded him served as a stark contrast to the turmoil within. Papers lay scattered on his expansive desk, their importance diminished in the face of relentless thoughts tethered to a woman who had become an unwelcome occupant of his mind. Frustration and desire collided, forming a tempest that showed no signs of abating, casting shadows of uncertainty in the dimming light of the evening.The game flickered on the TV screen, its significance lost on Xavier, who remained deep in thought about Aurora. Feeling aware that his own thoughts were tangled with hers, he felt a desire to punish her, intending to teach a lesson for intruding into his mind.The problem was that each scenario he came up seemed to inexorably lead to a vivid image: her, rendered vulnerable, in his bed, with the echo of his name escaping her lips in a symphony of forbidden desire.Xavier'
The guest who entered was a tall, curvaceous blonde, dressed provocatively in a shimmering gold top and tight jeans. She swayed her hips a little too suggestively, and her dismissive glance in Aurora's direction carried a sneer. As she approached Xavier, her voice turned breathy, and she batted her eyelashes, pressing herself against him with a suggestive smile. "Hi, Babe," she purred, pushing her ample cleavage almost into Xavier's face.Aurora's heart clenched in pain as she witnessed the playful banter between Xavier and the other woman. A wave of jealousy and resentment surged within her, overshadowing the room. Desperate to divert her attention, she clutched her hand so tightly that her nails dug into her skin."Babe, I'm so glad you called me," the blonde woman cooed, pouting seductively. "I knew you'd come back to me. Even after you were so rude to me at the wedding."Xavier's expression darkened, and he sighed, clearly irritated by her presence. "Elizabeth," he replied, his
Aurora eyes felt heavy, as her gaze fixated on the moonlit window. The house was enveloped in an eerie silence, heightened by the late hour and the absence of Xavier's return echoing through the halls. Minutes stretched into an unsettling quiet, and a peculiar worry tightened Aurora's body. Was he okay? As her eyelids grew heavy, an irresistible urge compelled her to steal one more glance at the clock. It's hands stubbornly pointing to the unforgiving hour of 3 am. 'What am I supposed to do?' The question echoed in her mind, lingering in the silent, dimly lit room.Was spending nights out, a customary ritual? Who was he with?Her conflicting emotions created a maze within, grappling with the paradox of worrying for someone determined to keep her at arm's length.'Aurora, just go to sleep, don't worry.' she scolded herself On the precipice of sleep, the door creaked open, sending a chill down her spine. She sensed his presence before looking; the room pulsated with angry energy.
"Name your price. Just tell me what you need, and I'll make it happen, but leave me alone."If it weren't for William's trust in her, she would have left without a penny.Her refusal was resolute, "I d-don't want your m-money."Xavier burst into laughter, a cynical edge to it. "Have you forgotten? Money was the sole reason you married me." He turned to look at her, his hand now draped over her shoulders. "I d-didn't m-marry you o-out of c-choice.""No?" He leaned in, his movements unsteady.Her voice cut through the tension, "No.""Is that so?" to which she nodded."A smooth liar, that's what you are," he slurred Hiccup"I know.."Hiccup"For a fact..."Hiccup"That you married me by choice.""In fact" hiccup, "You demanded to marry me."Aurora held her silence; there was no point in responding. He wouldn't believe her truth anyway."Liar. Liar pants on fire." His thumb skated dangerously close to her lips, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Simultaneously, he froze, as if he didn'
Angela carefully set the last shard of the broken vase onto the coffee table, brushing off her hands as she settled back onto the couch. The hum of the city filtered in through the open windows, bringing an air of calm into the penthouse that neither woman seemed to feel. “Th-thanks for helping,” Aurora whispered, her voice unsteady. Angela gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a vase.” Aurora’s eyes flickered nervously toward the closed door of Xavier’s office, her fingers toying with the hem of her shirt. “Um, should I l-let your b-brother know y-you’re h-here?” Angela nodded. “yeah, pl-.” Before Angela could complete her sentence, Alex’s voice rang out from the hallway, full of energy. “Xavier! Hey, Bro! Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Aurora flinched at the sound, her body stiffening immediately. Angela caught the subtle shift and shot her a glance but stayed quiet, knowing Alex’s boisterous personality often unnerved Aurora. "Xavier!
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,
Xavier, stepping out of his study, was abruptly halted by a captivating sound that reached his ears. He stood still, his heart pounding beneath his hand pressed against his chest, completely transfixed as the melodious voice washed over him. It carried with it a wealth of raw emotions and a fragile vulnerability that stirred something deep within him. Mesmerized, he felt a magnetic pull drawing him closer to the origin of the sound. Each note resonated with a poignant vulnerability, stirring a complex blend of fascination and caution within him. It was as if the voice possessed a mystical quality, effortlessly breaching his defenses and urging him towards its source. With hesitant fingers, he grasped the doorknob, the metal cool against his skin, and slowly turned it. The door creaked open just a crack, allowing a sliver of light to spill into the dim hallway. Xavier's eyes narrowed slightly, his curiosity pulling him closer, yet his caution held him back. In this sweet mel
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.
"You should have asked permission before entering my room," he said through gritted teeth. Aurora's head shook in a mix of fear and apology. "N-no... I-I'm sorry. It w-won't happen a-again," she stammered, her voice barely audible. "Too late for apologies now, wife." Xavier stepped back, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. Her intoxicating scent was driving him crazy. He glanced around the room. "Now, what punishment should I give you?" he mused aloud. Xavier's gaze wandered around the room until it landed on his cupboard. A glint of mischief appeared in his eyes. With swift, deliberate motions, he began pulling clothes from the shelves, tossing them onto the floor and creating a chaotic mess. Aurora's eyes widened, her hand instinctively moving to her heart. 'what was he going to do' she thought "So, wife, I bet you're wondering what I'm up to," he smirked, rubbing his hands together. "Your punishment is to neatly organize every piece of clothing back
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 following day dawned, casting a pale light into Aurora's room. She sat huddled on her bed, her body cocooned in a protective blanket. Her gaze drifted to the closed door. Since their return, Xavier had not made his presence known again, leaving her to wonder what mood he was in this morning. Aurora realized that staying in her room, cocooned in the safety of her cozy blanket, was no longer an option. She was well aware of the rules that she had to abide by. If she failed to follow those rules, who knows what kind of punishment Xavier would come up with. She quickly glanced at the clock on her bedside table, realizing that it was nearly time to prepare his breakfast. As per his strict instructions, it was her responsibility to do so. If she didn't, well, she dreaded to think about the consequences. With a deep breath, she peeled herself away from the warm embrace of her blanket, Her legs trembled with exhaustion as she rose to her feet, and quickly made her way to the bath
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 anger simmered beneath the surface. How dare she? He scanned the surroundings as they stepped outside. He couldn't fathom why she portrayed him as the villain. In his perspective, he was merely extending her the life she craved. Xavier's frustration boiled over as he watched her vanish around the corner. "Damn it!" he muttered under his breath, getting into his car and slamming the door shut. With a swift movement, he pressed his foot down on the accelerator, the engine roaring to life as he sped off after her. His eyes darted from street to street, irritation mounting with each unanswered call she ignored. Xavier's car screeched to a halt as he caught sight of her silhouette ahead, walking slowly, arms wrapped around herself as if seeking comfort. Xavier's car pulled up beside her, and the blare of the horn startled Aurora, causing her to jump. As she turned and saw Xavier behind the wheel, she hesitated for a moment before resuming her slow walk, deliberately