hoes of the chaotic engagement party-the whispers, the gasps, the scandalous murmurs-still vibrated through the floorboards. Auro

depths of the cavernous walk-in closet. The wheels hissed acro

n toward the simple things: worn denim, plain cotton t-shirts, and a gray cashmere sweater that had seen better days. Finally, she reached into the nightstand and pulled out a single silver frame. Inside,

n, hitting the wall wit

face a thundercloud of suppressed rage and impatience. His eyes swep

ests are confused, the press is circling like vultures, and you're in here playing house? Come downsta

d folded it into the case with terrifying calmness. The silence she offered him was sha

tightening until her skin paled. "Aurora, I said stop being childish! This isn't just about you. The alliance betwee

gone, replaced by an icy, echoing void. She didn't struggle; she simply pulled her arm fr

at's all I am? A signature on a contract? You just need a woman with the last

I'm asking you to see the bigger picture. Ivy is your sister. She had already become sensitive because yo

s flat and cold as a winter morning. "My mother only had

l, a mechanical guillotine. She stood up, her spine

t now. Announce to everyone that what you did was a mistake

ker of emotion. "Or, you stay with her, and

ulity. "Are you insane? You'd throw away everything we'v

and the screen lit up with the name 'Ivy' accompanied by a h

h the air. "Collin... the brothers are all yelling... they're say

ted softness. "Don't be scared, honey," he cooed into the phone, his voice dripping with a tenderne

n look her in the eye. He adjusted his cufflinks, h

door. "Think about what you've done. Come find me when

of a second before clenching into fists. His hurried footsteps echoed down the grand

er of hope inside Auro

p the empty velvet box that had once held her engagement ring. It felt light, meaningless. Her eyes in the

ut her phone

he first ring. "I need you to do something for

ce was frantic. "The livestream cut out, but the

ed, her voice eerily calm. "Bet

atulations to Mr. Collin Foley and Miss Ivy Beaumont on their engagement. Wish

? Aurora, this will start a firest

e. Post

he call withou

s of her past were still celebrating her humiliation, she slipped down a narrow ser

g box slipped from her hand. It fell silently into

es, her phone buzzed with a news alert. Her tweet had alread

s seat, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, where t