Love and deceits

Aurora's POV

The moment the door shut behind me, I felt the weight of everything settle on my shoulders. The reality of my situation pressed down like an iron cage, trapping me in a life I hadn't chosen. My fingers itched to do something—anything—to ground myself.

Then, it hit me.

Valeria.

If there was one person who could pull me back from the edge of insanity, it was her.

I grabbed my phone from my purse and quickly tapped on her contact, pressing the video call button. It rang twice before the screen lit up with her face, framed by a messy bun and oversized glasses.

"Aurora Sinclair," she drawled, squinting at me. "You better have a damn good reason for calling me this late. I was about to start my post-midnight snack ritual."

I let out a breathy laugh, tension loosening in my chest. "Val, it's barely eleven."

"Exactly. Prime snacking hour." She waved a spoon in front of the screen before shoving a mouthful of ice cream into her mouth. "Now spill. Where are you? That doesn't look like your apartment."

I turned the phone around, showing her the massive, elegantly furnished suite. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked a vast stretch of forest, and the king-sized bed looked like something straight out of a royal palace.

Val's chewing slowed, her eyes narrowing. "Uh… Aurora? Where the hell are you? Did you get kidnapped? Blink twice if you need me to call the cops."

I sighed, bringing the camera back to my face. "I wish. It'd be a better excuse than the truth."

She shoved the spoon back into her ice cream tub. "Alright, drama queen. Spill."

I hesitated for a moment, then exhaled. "I'm at Daemon Reynolds' house."

Silence.

Then, Valeria screeched so loudly I had to yank the phone away from my ear.

"YOU'RE WHERE?!"

"Jesus, Val!" I hissed, wincing. "Lower your voice before you get me kicked out."

She gawked at me. "Kicked out? Are you hearing yourself? What the hell are you doing in Daemon freaking Reynolds' house? I thought you were joking about that arranged marriage nonsense!"

"I wish I was." I flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "It's real, Val. It's happening. In two weeks, I'll be Aurora Reynolds."

Valeria stared at me, dead silent for a moment. Then she took a dramatic scoop of ice cream and shoved it into her mouth, as if digesting the insanity of my words required sugar.

"You're serious," she finally muttered.

"Dead serious."

She groaned, rubbing her forehead. "How? Why? Since when do we live in the 1800s?"

"Since my father decided that selling his daughter off like a business merger was a great idea."

Her lips pursed. "I always knew Nelson Sinclair was an ass, but this is a new level of assholery."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "It's not just him, Val. Daemon agreed to this too."

Val let out a humorless laugh. "Of course, he did. That man doesn't do anything without an agenda. What does he get out of this?"

I hesitated, then sighed. "I don't know. Power, maybe? Revenge? My father did something to him, but I don't know what. All I know is that I'm stuck in the middle of it."

Val twirled her spoon between her fingers, her expression darkening. "And how is he? Has he been...?"

"Cold. Intimidating. Controlling." I closed my eyes briefly. "He talks like he owns the world, like nothing and no one can touch him. And he expects me to just go along with it."

Val frowned. "Has he hurt you?"

"No. Not physically." I hesitated. "But he gets under my skin, and he knows it."

"Of course, he does. Men like him thrive on power plays." Val leaned forward, her expression fierce. "Listen to me, Aurora. You don't have to let him control you. Even if this marriage is happening, it doesn't mean you have to break. You're strong, babe. Stronger than you give yourself credit for."

I bit my lip. "What if I can't do this, Val?"

She scoffed. "Oh, please. This is the same girl who punched Ethan Carter in the face in ninth grade because he stole her lunch. You can handle one broody billionaire."

I laughed at that, the memory easing some of the tension in my chest. "That was different. Ethan was an idiot."

"And Daemon is a bigger idiot. Just richer." She pointed her spoon at me. "So, what's the plan? Are you gonna play along? Rebel? Seduce him and then dump him on his ass?"

I groaned. "Valeria."

"What? I'm just exploring our options." She smirked. "Seriously, though. What's next?"

I let out a long breath. "Tomorrow, we meet with the wedding planner. Apparently, Daemon wants the wedding done as quickly as possible."

Val waggled her eyebrows. "Eager, is he?"

"Not like that," I muttered. "He's just impatient. Probably wants to get this over with."

Her smirk faded. "And you?"

I hesitated.

"I don't know," I admitted. "I just know that I have to survive this."

Val's expression softened. "You will. And if you need me, I'll be on the next flight over. Just say the word."

Warmth spread through my chest. "Thanks, Val."

She grinned. "Anytime, babe. Now, tell me—does Mr. Broody have a hot brother? Maybe one that isn't a soulless corporate overlord?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're impossible."

"And you love me for it."

I smiled. "Yeah, I do."

As I ended the call, the room felt a little less suffocating.

Tomorrow, I would face Daemon again. I would meet the wedding planner. I would play my part in this twisted arrangement.

But tonight, for just a little while, I allowed myself to breathe.

 Just as Aurora settles in for the night, a soft knock echoes from the door. When she opens it, she's met with a sight that sends her stomach dropping.