Aurora's standards were higher. Why should she go for Liam when she can have the man before her?
She recognised him as Slade Wellington, a 26-year-old CEO. At 22, he had taken over the Wellington corporation.
He was known by all, especially popular among ladies, but no one knew his girlfriend or anything about his personal life.
All they knew was that he was wealthy, cold and untouchable. Slade Wellington wasn't just respected, he was worshipped.
The more she thought about his background, the stronger her resolve grew.
She finally thought of a way to deal with Liam and Jenny. What better slap to their face than when she ends up with Slade Wellington?
"Let's get married." Aurora repeated, then added, "We'd make a good match."
"Excuse me?" Slade's voice was distant and she pressed her lips together.
He reached for the bedside lamp and switched it on, flooding the room with a warm glow, "I'm seriously beginning to worry about you," he said, his voice had a hint of mock concern.
Maybe she lost a screw or two when she bumped into him. "Why would I get married to you?"
Aurora sat straight, folding her knees beneath her. She was about to give away the fact that she had been eavesdropping on him. She lowered her gaze, not knowing how he'd take it.
"I didn't mean to listen but I heard your conversation over the phone." She paused studying him, but his face was expressionless.
"Believe me, I honestly didn't want to listen, but I had no choice. I know you need a wife," she said flatly. Her heart is beating hard against her chest.
"You need a wife to throw your grandpa off your back, I am not a divorcee nor a widower. Also, I am single, although my fiancé doesn't know about that yet, but he'd find out soon enough. I caught him cheating and-" her chest tightened as she remembered the image of Liam and Jenny on the bed.
Slade tilted his head studying her. He had done his own research on her and knew she was supposed to get married today to one Liam Adams.
Amongst other things, he found out that Liam and Jenny were seeing each other. He had no intention of telling her but that didn't matter since she already knew.
He couldn't help but wonder if that was the reason she had drunk herself into a stupor last night. She swallowed hard and continued, "I meet all your criteria, so marry me instead."
Slade shook his head, crossing his hand over his chest, when he sat here, he didn't expect a marriage proposal from her. "That didn't answer my question." He stated firmly, "Why do you think you'd make a better choice?"
"Because I believe we'd make a great team." Slade drew his brows together, confusion etched on his face.
"You want a wife, and I want an ally, a man strong enough to protect me. Don't you think we are just what we need?"
Aurora has died once. If she wanted to get her revenge, she needed to be sure that her life was secure.
She finally noticed a slight change in Slade's composed face, like he was considering her words. Her heartbeat quickened.
"How about your wedding? It's today."
Aurora squinted. She never mentioned it; she figured he may have done his research as expected of a man of his calibre. She decided to reply truthfully.
"The wedding won't be held today." In her past life, Liam pushed their wedding forward twice.
The second time, he called her a few minutes before the wedding from him informing her of Jenny's accident.
He convinced her it would be wrong if they went ahead with the wedding with Jenny in that position.
"You can't be so sure," Slade said.
"I am." Aurora sounded convinced. She couldn't tell him how she knew because she had lived that life before. "If you don't believe me, I'll prove it to you."
She reached for her phone by the nightstand and turned it on. Slade leaned on the bedframe, his gaze slicing through her composure.
Immediately, Aurora's phone lit up, and it beeped continuously for the next minute. Her phone was flooded with messages and notifications of calls she had missed.
Liam and Jenny had both sent her messages while Liam had tried to call her 16 times.
"What would a phone prove?" Slade's voice was low. He couldn't shake the thought that she was just another opportunist.
Aurora didn't get the chance to give him a reply to his question, as at that moment, her phone began to ring.
Liam's name appeared on her screen. Answering the phone, she placed it on the loudspeaker so Slade could hear the entire conversation.
"Aurora, you finally take your call. I've been trying to reach you for hours."
"Why are you calling?" Although Aurora felt her chest tighten in anger as she spoke to him, she knew she had to keep her composure this time. Liam had killed her once; there was no saying he wouldn't attempt to do so twice.
So, she dug her nails into her palm, "Are you truly asking me that?" Liam roared at the other end, pacing around in his office.
Aurora didn't respond, and he continued, "I don't want us to fight, not now when I have finally reached you. Where are you? I'll come pick you up, we need to talk."
"Just speak over the phone, I'm listening."
The line was silent for a moment before Liam began, "About what happened yesterday, we need to talk about it, urgently. How could you embarrass me in front of the staff?" Liam felt his blood boil whenever he thought about it.
"Okay. Is that all?" Aurora was nonchalant, she was already expecting this reaction and words.
But to Liam, she sounded angry and unreasonable. "Why are you sounding angry?"
"Me? Angry?" Aurora scoffed, "Why should I be?"
"Because the wedding won't be held today anymore. I explained in detail why it's necessary to move the wedding over the text I sent. Jenny is in the ER. You are her friend and editor. How can you be so selfish to think about your own happiness at this time?"
"What?" Aurora was confused.
"I'll send you the location where we'd meet so we can talk about your new behaviour. For now, Jenny needs me."