Aurora's POV
The ocean breeze still clung to my skin even after we returned from the yacht. Salt air, a candlelit dinner on the deck, laughter I wasn't used to—it all felt surreal, like I had stepped into someone else's story.
Back in the penthouse suite of the resort, the Maldives sunset painted the room in warm amber and soft rose. I slipped off my sandals, my legs aching in a way that reminded me I wasn't built for yacht luxury. Not yet.
Ace disappeared into the bathroom, the sound of rushing water following him. I sank onto the bed, letting the silky comforter swallow me, and reached for my phone.
A missed call from my sister. My heart skipped. Quickly, I called her back, my fingers tightening around the phone as it rang.
"Aurora!" her voice came through, breathless. "Where are you?"
"At the hospital," she said. "Mum had a little episode again… but don't worry, the new doctors here are amazing. This place feels like magic. Private rooms, kind nurses—I even got a free dinner."
A knot in my chest eased. "That's good," I murmured. "Is she okay now?"
"She's sleeping. The doctors will run more tests in the morning, but they're optimistic."
"Alright," I whispered, wiping away a tear I hadn't noticed. "Stay with her tonight, okay? I'll call you again tomorrow."
"I will. And Aurora?" Her voice softened. "This new life… it's really real, isn't it?"
I glanced out at the moonlit ocean beyond the balcony. "Yeah. It is."
We hung up. Silence settled in the room, heavy but peaceful, until my phone buzzed again.
Ryan.
My chest tightened as his name lit up the screen. Every part of me screamed not to answer.
I answered.
"Where are you?" he demanded.
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I've been calling you for days. You've been ignoring me. Percy told me everything—the black card, the car, the penthouse. What the hell, Aurora? You're with him now?"
My stomach knotted. "You don't get to question me."
"So it's true?" he pressed. "You really sold yourself off to that billionaire? Do you even know what you're getting into?"
"Stop," I snapped, my voice low.
"Aurora, I still—"
The bathroom door opened. I froze.
Ace stepped out, shirtless, a towel slung low on his hips. Water droplets traced down his chest like they belonged to some forbidden dream. His eyes met mine, then flicked to the phone in my hand.
"Who is it?" he asked, voice calm. Too calm—like ice before it cracks.
I didn't answer.
On the line, Ryan's voice cut in. "Aurora, listen to me—"
I ended the call.
Ace raised an eyebrow and walked toward me, slow and deliberate, each step echoing like quiet thunder. His presence filled the room.
"You okay?" he asked.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure I was.
His eyes narrowed. "You don't have to explain. But if someone's bothering you…"
"It's just my past," I said, standing. "Trying to remind me it still exists."
He didn't respond. Instead, he closed the distance between us, placed his hand at the small of my back, and pulled me gently against him.
"You're not the same girl who begged the universe for help," he said, his voice silk over steel. "Not anymore."
I looked up at him. "Then who am I?"
He brushed a damp strand of hair from my cheek.
"Mine."
And just like that, the storm outside faded.
But inside me, it had only just begun.