Chapter 1

Aurora sat in a daze as the document was pushed toward her. Her fingers trembled slightly as she stared at it, her heart aching with a pain so deep it felt suffocating.

How she wished there had been another choice.

"Please sign."

Parker’s voice was gentler than before, yet firm. He placed a pen on the document in front of her, waiting patiently.

Aurora swallowed the lump in her throat, picked up the pen, and, with one final deep breath, signed.

There was no turning back.

Just a few months ago, she had been nothing more than a naive girl desperately trying to save her mother. Now, in the blink of an eye, her fate was bound to a man she had never even seen.

"Let's go."

Parker swiftly gathered the documents, tucking them away before striding toward the exit. Aurora hesitated for only a second before rising to her feet and following him.

When they stepped outside, she automatically moved toward the car they had arrived in, but Parker stopped her.

"You will take the other one."

She turned her gaze toward where he was pointing. Behind the car she came in was a sleek, limited-edition Lamborghini.

"Why?" she asked, puzzled.

Parker adjusted his suit, his expression unreadable. "The boss’s wife will not ride in a cheap car. Go ahead, the chauffeur is waiting."

Aurora blinked. Cheap? The car they had come in was not cheap.

Still, she said nothing. Instead, she nodded stiffly and walked toward the waiting vehicle. The chauffeur, an older man in an immaculate suit, opened the door for her. She slipped inside, the leather seats cool against her skin.

As soon as she shut the door, the car surged forward.

Aurora didn’t bother looking around. Did it matter? As long as her mother got her surgery, as long as she was taken care of, nothing else mattered.

She wasn’t sure how long they drove. Time felt meaningless. It was only when the car came to a smooth stop that she finally lifted her gaze and looked out the window.

Her breath hitched.

Before her stood a mansion, not just a mansion. It was a masterpiece, the kind of house she had only ever seen in movies. Towering walls, grand archways, pristine gardens that stretched endlessly. Everything about it screamed wealth and power.

The soft click of the engine turning off brought her back to reality.

Taking a shaky breath, she reached for the door handle and stepped out.

"This way."

Aurora jumped slightly at the voice. It was Parker.

She spun around, eyes wide. How was he already here? Hadn’t they left the Civil Affairs Bureau before him?

Her stomach twisted uneasily, but she forced herself to follow him.

She was about to step into a new life. A life that wasn’t hers but one she had no choice but to accept.

Obediently, she followed Parker, her mind a chaotic storm of emotions. The moment she stepped inside, she was engulfed by the sheer grandeur of the house.

The sitting room was massive, but she barely registered the intricate details, the lavish furniture, the towering sculptures, the enormous LED screen on the wall. Was she even in the right state of mind to admire anything?

Parker’s voice pulled her back to reality.

"You might not see the boss often. He's quite busy. But rest assured, you won't lack anything."

Aurora stood still, listening.

"The chauffeur who brought you here is now your personal chauffeur. Your mother has been relocated to this city, and her surgery is scheduled in two days. You can visit her once you settle in."

A cool, refreshing air brushed against her, soothing the ache in her heart. As long as Mom is okay…

"Your admission has been processed. You’ll start classes in a week."

Her head snapped up, a deep frown settling on her face. Admission?

That didn’t make sense. Enrollment had ended a month ago, and she hadn’t even taken the entrance exam. But then again, the wealthy always had their ways, even in situations that seemed impossible.

Parker continued as if he hadn’t noticed her hesitation.

"Your room is on the next floor, last door on the left. There’s a staircase that leads to it. Try not to go near the other end."

She watched as he pulled out a small box from the bag he carried. Opening it, he retrieved a sleek phone and handed it to her.

"Call me if you need anything. My number is already saved."

Aurora took the phone, its weight and design exuding wealth. She barely nodded in acknowledgment.

"You can explore the house later, but never take the right staircase or go near the rooms at that end."

His tone was firm, leaving no room for questions.

She remained silent, and after a brief pause, Parker set the empty box on a nearby stool and walked toward the forbidden right staircase.

Now alone, Aurora finally took a proper look at her surroundings. The silvery glow of the chandelier bathed the sitting room in a soft, elegant light. Every inch of the space whispered of wealth beyond imagination.

Her gaze landed on a glass door at the far end of the room. She hesitated, drawn to her own reflection staring back at her. Where does this lead? she wondered.

Shaking off the thought, she turned away and made her way up the left staircase, her steps careful and quiet. She reached the last door on the left, turned the knob, and to her relief, it opened easily.

Aurora stepped further into the room, its sheer size overwhelming. It was at least four times bigger than her modest room back in the countryside.

Her eyes swept over the space, luxurious and immaculately designed. A massive bed, large enough to fit four people, stood in the center. A nightstand rested beside it, simple yet elegant.

Her gaze shifted to a desk in the corner, lined with books. Curiosity sparked within her as she walked over, picking up one at random.

Her breath hitched.

She quickly skimmed through the other titles, her fingers trembling slightly. Every single book was written by her favorite author.

For the first time since stepping into the house, a small smile curled her lips.

Setting the books down, she continued her slow exploration of the room. A door caught her attention—it had to be a closet. She walked over and pulled it open.

Her assumption was correct, but what she saw made her brows knit together.

Dresses. Expensive dresses.

She reached for one, feeling the luxurious fabric between her fingers. Then another. And another.

Her frown deepened.

They were all her size. Every single one.

Moving away, her gaze landed on a shoe rack beside the closet. She walked over, scanning the neatly arranged footwear. Each pair was elegant, classic, and undeniably costly.

And all in her size.

Aurora's chest tightened.

Perhaps there’s another woman in this house—one who wears the same size as me.

Yes, that had to be it.

Quickly, she shut the closet door and stepped away.

Another door caught her eye. The bathroom, most likely.

She pushed it open.

A massive bathtub sat in the center, large enough to fit three people. The walls and floor gleamed in pristine white, as if untouched.

A grand vanity mirror hung above the sink.

Aurora frowned. Why would anyone need such a large mirror in a bathroom?

She stepped inside, taking in the heated water system, the showerhead, the meticulously arranged toiletries. Her eyes landed on the skincare products lined up by the sink—high-end, luxurious brands she had only seen in magazines.

Her stomach twisted. There was definitely another woman.

A gentle knock at the door pulled her out of the bathroom. Quickly, she made her way over and swung it open.

"Your luggage," Parker said, holding out a worn cloth bag.

"Thank you," she murmured, reaching out to take it from him.

"The kitchen is downstairs. You might want to prepare dinner," he added.

She glanced at the old, battered wristwatch strapped to her wrist, time had slipped away from her. A wave of guilt washed over her. How could she forget she was married now? Cooking dinner for her husband should have been second nature.

"I'm so sorry. I'll start right away," she said, her voice laced with regret.

Parker, sensing her assumption, quickly clarified, "Just for yourself, please."

"For me?" she echoed, puzzled. "What about him? And you?"

"Boss isn't around, and I don’t live here," Parker replied, his tone even. She lifted her brows in silent contemplation.

"Have a great evening," he added before turning to leave.

"Mr. Parker!" she called out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Can I see my mom today?" Her voice held quiet urgency.

She couldn't shake the memory of her mother’s devastated expression when she had told her about the marriage—how she had agreed to this union just to cover her surgery fees. The image of her mother sobbing as she packed her bags that morning still haunted her. She needed to see her, to reassure them both that everything was fine.

"You just arrived, and you must be exhausted," Parker said, his voice steady. "Boss said you’ll see her tomorrow, but you can call her in the meantime."

"Oh!" She blinked, realizing she had completely forgotten about her phone.

"I’ll call her then," she murmured, a small smile breaking through the worry on her face.

"She’s at Unity Hospital, surgery unit, ward 3. Call me if you need anything," he added before striding away.

She stood there for a moment, watching him disappear down the hallway. Then, with a quiet sigh, she shut the door and placed her bag on the bed.

Thankfully, her own bag of clothes was with her, she had no intention of wearing the extravagant outfits hanging in the closet.

Reaching into her worn-out handbag, she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and a pen. Carefully, she jotted down the details Parker had given her.

Unity Hospital, Surgery Unit, Ward 3.

She stared at the words for a long moment, her heart tightening in her chest.