Chapter 7

Three Days Ago

"Mom, I’m getting married," Aurora announced over dinner.

Lacey’s eyes widened in shock. "Married?" she echoed, her voice laced with disbelief as she searched her daughter’s face, hoping this was some kind of joke.

"Yes, Mom. In two days," Aurora said firmly.

Lacey’s mouth fell open. "Don't be ridiculous. Do you think marriage is a game?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, her expression darkening with concern.

"I’d rather marry than watch you die," Aurora replied, her tone unwavering.

A shadow of pain crossed Lacey’s face. "Is this because of me? You're just 19," she asked, her voice breaking.

Aurora’s heart ached at the sadness in her mother’s words. If only she could somehow raise the 150,000 for the surgery, she would never have agreed to this marriage.

"If you die, Mom, I’ll be alone. And eventually, I’ll have to marry someday anyway. Isn’t it better if I do it now, and you get to live?" she reasoned.

Lacey shook her head adamantly. "You won’t—"

"Mom!" Aurora’s patience finally snapped. "What do you expect me to do? Where on earth will I find that kind of money? What’s so wrong with marrying someone who can pay for your surgery?" Her voice rose, frustration bubbling over.

“I’m 19, Mom. Besides, I’ll be going to university,” Aurora stated firmly.

Lacey’s voice quivered with sorrow. “Are those the false promises he made to you?”

“They’re not false promises,” Aurora retorted. No matter what her mother said, she wouldn’t change her mind. She was exhausted, tired of crying, of searching for help that never came.

“When is the wedding?” Lacey asked, her tone heavy with sadness.

“In two days.”

Lacey’s eyes widened in disbelief. “And you’re just telling me now?” Her voice rose sharply. The sorrow in her veins was suddenly replaced by anger.

Aurora stared at her mother, momentarily stunned. Why was she so upset?

“Mom?” she called softly.

“Do you think you’re the only one going through hardship? How could you keep this from me until today?” Lacey’s voice cracked with emotion.

Aurora couldn’t believe her mother was furious despite knowing this was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

“Because I only made the decision today! Can’t you understand?” Aurora snapped, frustration seeping into her tone.

Lacey froze, blinking in disbelief. “Did you just raise your voice at me?” Her piercing gaze locked onto her daughter.

Aurora exhaled sharply. “Mom, do you realize you were the first to yell? Was it wrong for me to inform you of my marriage? Do you think I’m happy about this decision?” Her frustration was eating away at her.

Lacey watched her daughter in silence as Aurora pushed her plate away, her appetite gone. Sensing her mother’s gaze, she stood abruptly.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” she murmured before walking out of the room.

Lacey stared after her, then at the barely touched meal before her. Her face contorted with emotion as she shook her head. Why did she have to fall sick?

Who knew the emotional turmoil Aurora endured every day just to save her life? Lacey’s heart ached, and tears welled in her eyes. She had never intended to burden her only daughter with such suffering.

Why had she lashed out at her? Aurora had only been looking for a solution to their problem. She hadn’t done anything wrong. So why was she so angry? Was it because her daughter would soon be leaving her?

She sighed, then put down her cutlery. Her appetite had vanished, but wasting food wasn’t an option. They barely had enough to get by. Slowly, she picked up her spoon and forced herself to eat.

That night, Aurora left the apartment, needing air. Her world had fallen apart. Her life felt like a cruel fairy tale.

She sat on the sidewalk, watching cars pass by, their headlights illuminating the darkness. Resting her chin in her palm, she reflected on how drastically everything had changed.

If her mother hadn’t fallen ill, none of this would be happening. But she couldn’t blame her—it wasn’t her fault. This was the same woman who had given her everything despite having so little.

Tears slipped down Aurora’s cheeks as her thoughts spiraled. As the number of passing cars dwindled, she finally stood and made her way home.

Lacey was waiting for her, sitting on their narrow bed.

“I took a walk,” Aurora said before her mother could ask.

“Princess, we need to—”

“I’ve made up my mind,” Aurora interrupted, her voice breaking. Instantly, tears spilled from her eyes.

Lacey felt a sharp pain in her chest. She quickly pulled her daughter into her arms. “Don’t cry, sweetheart, or you’ll make me cry too.”

Aurora pulled away slightly. “I’m going to sleep. You should, too.”

She spread a thin blanket on the floor and lay down. But sleep never came. Her mother’s muffled sobs filled the silence, digging into her heart like a blade.

Lacey wept until her voice grew hoarse. And when Aurora could no longer bear it, she joined her. But the decision had already been made. She would marry, to save her mother.

Present Day

Remembering that painful night, Aurora knew better than to stir up Lacey’s emotions again.

“Your surgery is tomorrow. Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” she assured her mother, who nodded with quiet trust.

She spent the entire day by Lacey’s side, watching as she received proper care. The food provided wasn’t just a meal, it was rich, nourishing, meant to restore her health.

Right then and there, Aurora made a silent vow.

She would give this marriage her best effort.

Austra

Asher stared at the screen in disgust, his expression dark and menacing. Beside him, Parker stood with his head lowered, unsure of what to say.

"She hasn't eaten anything since yesterday! Were you even aware of that?" Asher roared, his voice filled with fury.

Parker swallowed hard, at a loss for words. He distinctly remembered instructing her to make dinner before he left the house the previous day. But now, caught in the storm of his boss's anger, he knew better than to try and defend himself.

"And you let her leave the house wearing that?" Asher thundered, his glare cutting through the tense air.

Parker sighed helplessly. He had made sure the closets were stocked with expensive clothes and the shoe rack filled with designer footwear, all carefully chosen to meet his boss’s standards. How was he supposed to know she wouldn’t touch any of them?

"I'm sorry, sir," he said, knowing an apology was the safest response.

"She spent nearly the entire day in that hospital!" Asher’s voice rose again, filled with something Parker couldn't quite place, concern? Frustration?

Parker hesitated. What excuse could he possibly offer? Instead, he swallowed his words, resigning himself to his boss's rage.

"This will not happen again!" Asher snapped, finally turning away from the screen.

Parker furrowed his brows. "Sir, we're scheduled to leave for Pentaville City in thirty minutes," he informed him, checking his wristwatch.

"Everything is set, but she hasn’t stepped out of the apartment all day," he added, suppressing a yawn.

The past few days had been exhausting. First, the search for a wife for Asher, then securing the marriage certificate, and now arranging for Lacey’s surgery.

Just when Parker thought he’d finally get some rest, his boss decided they needed to travel to Austra. And of course, he had no choice but to follow.

Asher didn’t respond, but his expression, dark as a brewing storm, spoke volumes.

"Dusk," he muttered.

Parker raised a brow. "Dusk?" He checked his watch, then shrugged. That was in three hours. Maybe he could squeeze in a short nap before they left.

"Try to get some rest before then, sir," he advised. But Asher neither acknowledged him nor moved.

Sighing, Parker set the briefcase on the table and quietly left the hotel room, heading to his own across the hall.