Love and deceits

Aurora's POV

The drive to the Reynolds estate stretched on longer than I expected. The farther we went, the more isolated the surroundings became, until the city faded into the distance, replaced by towering trees and vast, empty land. The estate was designed to intimidate—just like the man I was about to marry.

When the sleek black gates finally opened, my breath caught. The mansion loomed ahead, a masterpiece of architecture, all sharp angles and cold perfection. It wasn't a home. It was a fortress.

The car rolled to a stop, and before I could gather myself, the driver stepped out and pulled open my door. I hesitated for a second before stepping onto the stone driveway, the cool evening air brushing against my skin.

The front doors swung open before I even reached them. A tall, composed man in a black suit stood in the entrance. His face was unreadable, his presence just as calculated as everything else about this place.

"Miss Sinclair," he greeted, his tone neutral. "I'm Henry, Mr. Reynolds' assistant. Please, come in."

I nodded stiffly and stepped inside. The moment I crossed the threshold, a shiver ran down my spine.

The grand foyer was vast, almost suffocating in its emptiness. White marble floors gleamed under the crystal chandelier, and everything from the perfectly arranged furniture to the meticulously chosen paintings on the walls screamed control. It was beautiful, yes, but lifeless.

Henry led me down a series of hallways, the silence stretching between us. Not even my heels made a sound against the expensive flooring.

We finally stopped in front of a set of tall, double doors.

"Mr. Reynolds is expecting you," Henry said before pushing them open.

I stepped inside.

Daemon stood by the fireplace, his back to me. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up, the top buttons undone. His posture was relaxed, but I knew better. Every inch of him was controlled, deliberate.

He didn't turn right away.

For a moment, I thought he might ignore me entirely.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"You're late."

His voice was smooth, cold.

I lifted my chin. "I wasn't aware there was a schedule."

He turned then, his icy blue eyes locking onto mine. There was no smirk this time, no amusement like there had been at the restaurant.

Just silence.

Tension thickened in the room, pressing down on me like an invisible force.

"Come here," he said.

It wasn't a request.

I stayed rooted to the spot. "Why?"

His jaw twitched. "Because I said so."

I let out a quiet breath, forcing myself to keep my expression neutral. "That's not a good enough reason."

He took a slow step forward, his presence overwhelming even with the space between us. "This isn't a negotiation, Aurora. You're here because of an agreement. You will be my wife. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for both of us."

I refused to back down. "For you, maybe. Not for me."

A flicker of something crossed his face—annoyance? Amusement? It was impossible to tell.

"You don't have a choice," he said simply.

I clenched my fists. "No, I don't. But that doesn't mean I'll make this easy for you."

His lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in the gesture. "I don't need easy, Aurora. I need obedience."

My stomach tightened, but I didn't let it show. "Then you're going to be disappointed."

For a long moment, he just stared at me. Then, to my surprise, he let out a quiet chuckle.

"Good," he murmured. "I was hoping you'd say that."

The way he said it sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to let him see it.

"Henry will show you to your suite," Daemon finally said, his tone back to that same controlled calm. "Get settled in. The wedding is in two weeks."

I turned without another word, my heart hammering in my chest as I walked toward the door.

Just as I reached for the handle, his voice stopped me.

"Oh, and Aurora?"

I paused.

His next words were softer, but they carried a weight that sent ice through my veins.

"You may not belong to me yet. But you will."

I didn't respond. I didn't look back.

I just stepped out of the room, my mind racing.

Henry was waiting just outside, his expression unreadable.

"This way," he said.

I followed him down the hall, each step feeling heavier than the last.

The room he led me to was beautiful, spacious, but it wasn't comforting. Nothing about this place was.

The second the door shut behind me, I let out a shaky breath, pressing my back against the wall.

Two weeks.

Two weeks until I became Mrs. Aurora Reynolds.

And the worst part?

I had no idea what that truly meant.