There she saw Alexander smirking at her. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his coat, and his voice dropped to a low, threatening tone.
"Aurora, you’re going with me today... no matter what it takes," he said coldly, walking towards her with slow, heavy steps.
Aurora didn’t move. Her eyes narrowed, arms crossed as she faced him with a calm expression.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Veronica stepping forward. Her face was painted with grief, but the sly smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
It was a face carefully crafted—a portrait of sorrow worn like a mask.
Veronica’s voice trembled as she approached. "Aurora... I know you hate me. I know I deserve it. Beat me if you want. Kill me even. But please... save our mother.
Mr. Harrison kidnapped her—not because of anything she did—but to get back at you. Whatever’s going on between you two, settle it between yourselves.
Why drag an innocent woman into this?"
"Veronica played the role of the perfect, understanding sister to perfection—every word, every tear, crafted like lines from a well-rehearsed script."
Aurora said dryly, clapping slowly, her words soaked in sarcasm. "Bravo, Veronica. Truly convincing. Almost made me cry."
She tilted her head, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
"Tell me something... How are you so sure your dear mother was taken because of some grudge between me and Mr. Harrison?
You talk like someone who’s been keeping tabs on him—almost like you’re more involved than you’re letting on."
Veronica flinched, her composure slipping for a brief second. Her heart thudded violently in her chest. Aurora’s words hit too close to the truth.
She was terrified Aurora might spill something—something she had buried deep.
Trying to regain control, she quickly stepped forward, her voice trembling just the right amount. "W-What are you saying, Sister?" she said, forcing a teary-eyed expression.
"He... he called us. He said you promised to marry him. And—and don’t you remember the banquet? A year ago... you were in his arms, cradled like lovers.
Our parents tried everything to protect you. But now... now look at what’s happened..."
She sniffed, eyes glistening, pretending to choke back sobs.
Aurora’s lips curled in cold amusement.
A low, humorless chuckle escaped Aurora’s lips. Her eyes narrowed slightly, the amusement in them sharp as blades. "I truly underestimated your talent for storytelling, Veronica," she said, voice laced with icy sarcasm. "Your usual tactics might still work on this fool here," she tilted her head slightly toward Alexander, "but don’t mistake me for the same naive girl."
She took a slow step forward, her tone darkening. "Did you forget so quickly?
Just a few days ago, you and your oh-so-loving mother were plotting to hand me over to Calvert Harrison—just to seal a business deal.
And now you dare to come crying about family?"
Her eyes hardened, voice now dangerously low.
"You pathetic mother-daughter duo abused me since childhood... and now you want me to play the savior? Don’t make me laugh."
Alexander’s expression twisted into a scowl.
"Enough, Aurora," Alexander snapped, his voice sharp with anger. "Stop playing games and come with us."
His eyes were cold, burning with restrained fury. "Do you think I don’t know what you’ve done?" he hissed.
"I’ve looked into everything—every report, every witness. And they all say the same thing: you were involved with Calvert."
There was no hesitation in his words, no doubt in his tone. He didn’t even pause to consider the truth in Aurora’s side. He had already passed judgment.
In his eyes, she was guilty—and nothing she said could ever change that.
Seeing him react —so quick to condemn, so unwilling to trust—made something twist inside Aurora’s chest.
A strange, heavy ache settled in her heart. Not because she cared for Alexander. Not because she expected kindness or loyalty from a man like him. No, her mind was clear.
But the body she now inhabited... it remembered.
The pain wasn’t Luna’s. It was Aurora’s—raw, involuntary, and deeply embedded.
A part of her still longed for him, still clung to the illusion of love she had once desperately chased.
And Luna hated that. She hated how this body still trembled at his voice, how its heart fluttered with the residue of old affection.
It made her furious. Not just at Alexander, but at the broken girl who had once adored him.
"This... was the man she loved," Luna thought, bitterly. "How pathetic."
Veronica was practically drenched in sweat, her hands clenching into fists at her sides as she cursed Aurora inwardly. This stupid bitch! How dare she rattle off like that?
Panic prickled beneath her skin, but the moment Alexander spoke—his voice sharp and decisive—relief flooded her.
A slow, satisfied smile curled on her lips.
She turned to Aurora with a mocking gleam in her eyes, the tilt of her head smug, victorious.
Her gaze said everything she didn’t need to speak aloud—See? No matter how much truth you spit, he’ll only believe me.
And in that moment, Veronica felt powerful.
Alexander stepped forward, raising his hand to grab her arm, but Aurora slapped it away and delivered a swift kick to his side.
He barely flinched. Years of martial arts training had left him almost impervious to pain.
Aurora turned to leave, stepping toward her car.
A sharp sting pricked the nape of her neck. Her body jerked. She turned her head in disbelief.
Alexander stood there holding a sleek, gun-like device, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Now, now," he said with a smirk. "Don’t blame me. If you’d just come quietly, I wouldn’t have had to use this. Don’t worry, it won’t kill you.
Just a little something to paralyze your body for a while."
Aurora’s vision dimmed. Her limbs refused to respond. She stumbled, unable to catch herself.
Before she hit the ground, two of Alexander’s guards caught her, dragging her limp body toward a black van. Veronica followed, unable to hide her glee.