Chapter 11
After tidying the apartment, Aurora unpacked her suitcase, carefully placing her clothes in the wardrobe one by one. She set out her fragile belongings with equal precision-each item given its place, a small ritual of reclaiming order.
Only once everything was in place did she finally feel satisfied enough to wash up and collapse into bed.
The sleep she’d caught on the plane had been restless at best. Now, beneath clean sheets and in a quiet space that belonged only to her, she finally drifted into real rest.
When she woke again, it was nearly 2:00 p.m.
Sunlight streamed through the windows of her new bedroom. For a moment, Aurora just lay there, blinking, almost
disoriented.
Then it hit her.
She was in Australia.
Really here.
It was midsummer in Sydney. The heat pressed softly against her skin as she changed into a light sundress and headed
outside, intent on grabbing a meal and picking up groceries afterward.
Unlike the polished outings she used to prepare for back home, today she just wanted to walk in the sun-to feel the
warmth on her skin and the breeze through her hair.
As she strolled down the street, a sudden wave of savory aroma wafted through the air.
Her stomach immediately reacted.
Drawn by the scent, she followed it to a nearby restaurant whose sign proudly advertised premium steaks. She ordered a
house special steak and waited.
When the steak arrived, she dug in eagerly. The meat was tender, seared perfectly, and bursting with flavor. Each bite
seemed to wash away a little more of the exhaustion lingering in her bones.
She ate happily, until she reached for her wallet-and froze.
Her cash and card were still in the pocket of the clothes she’d changed out of earlier.
Panic welled up in her chest. She was just about to stammer an apology when a sleek hand extended beside her, offering
a credit card.
“I’ve got it.”
Startled, Aurora turned toward the voice-only to see a familiar face.
It was the man from the airport.
And this time, she saw him clearly.
He had sharp, refined features-high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a defined brow. His expression was calm, almost distant, but not unkind. There was something composed and deliberate about him, like he belonged more in a boardroom than casually offering to cover a stranger’s meal.
Aurora thanked him repeatedly. “How can I pay you back?”
“No need. I’ve got a prepaid card,” the man said, lifting the golden card in his hand.
Still, the meal wasn’t cheap-she was determined to return the favor.
“That won’t do. I insist on paying you back.”
He glanced at her, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, then casually replied, “Then buy me an ice cream next time.”
“The shop under your building.”
She blinked.
Only then did she realize-the figure she’d seen earlier in the hallway hadn’t been a dream. It was him.
“You live in my building?”
He didn’t answer, just gave her a slight wave and walked off, leaving Aurora standing there-blinking in the sunlight, her
heart unexpectedly lighter.
She hadn’t even asked for his name.
She sighed, half amused, half annoyed at herself.
She took his help and didn’t even get his name…
Back at the apartment, she exchanged the last of her travel currency for small bills, then went downstairs to buy
groceries.
As she loaded her modest fridge with ingredients-vegetables, noodles, fresh fruit-a wave of comfort settled over her.
A full refrigerator. A clean kitchen. Her own space.
It felt like safety.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and saw a new email from Scarlet.
Attached were several high-resolution wedding photos.
Scarlet wore a white fishtail gown, smiling sweetly at the camera.
Behind her, Sterling stood with a hand on her waist, his expression soft, full of affection.
Other photos showed close-ups of the diamond ring.
Chapter 11
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Family portraits with Mr. and Mrs. Wyndham standing between them, beaming with pride.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around her phone.
She didn’t need to read between the lines-Scarlet’s intent was obvious.
These weren’t photos.
They were declarations.
He’s mine now.
He only sees me.
You’re nothing but a footnote in our story.
Below the images were a series of smug messages:
[This is the gown I ended up choosing. Isn’t it stunning? I actually liked a different one at first, but Sterling said this one
showed off my waist better, so he bought them both.]
[He insisted on getting me that diamond ring. I told him it was too big and I’d barely wear it, but he wouldn’t hear it.]
[We were going to invite you to the wedding, but Sterling said it would ruin the mood. Mom and Dad agreed-it’s just bad luck to have you there.]
[Now that we’re officially married, you should really let go. I don’t care what history you two had-what matters is that from
now on, he’s my husband. And your brother-in-law.]
Aurora stared at the words, almost able to hear Scarlet’s condescending tone in her head.
She didn’t reply. She simply closed the message and set her phone aside.
Her mind wandered.
To Sterling-back when he used to softly trace the shape of her eyes with his fingers and say they must be beautiful.
To her own playful worry: What if I’m not as pretty as you imagined when you regain your sight?
And his immediate, boyish response: You’ll always be the most beautiful to me. No matter what.
She remembered the way those words had set her cheeks on fire.
She had imagined a future with him. Marriage. Children. A home filled with warmth.
And now, despite everything-despite telling herself over and over that she had let go-there was still a dull ache in her
chest.
A faint sting.
But only faint.
Because the past was past.
And she would never look back again.
