Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: A Clearer Vision

Later in the evening, Aurora stepped out to have dinner with her team members at a private restaurant she had reserved two weeks back to commemorate the launch of her product into the market.

They chatted a bit and spoke more about promotion strategies for the champagne to reach a wider audience.

Towards the end of dinner, Aurora handed out a customized bag containing a bottle of Fruit Punch champagne, a red packet with some cash and some chocolate bars along with a ‘Thank You’ card to each member of her team. They were surprised and grateful for her considerate gesture.

Aurora returned home and went straight to the master bedroom, learning that Xander was in his study. She decided to take a quick hot shower as she couldn’t afford a bath yet. Once her flow stopped, she was sure to enjoy a romantic bath with the scented candle Xander got her.

Aurora stripped and got under the shower. With the water running, and her back to the door, she didn’t hear Xander come in until he called out to her.

“Sweetheart?” Xander cast his gaze on the transparent shower glass fogged with steam. Although he couldn’t see her body clearly, he could still make out her figure.

“What the—.” Aurora quickly washed the foam off her face and turned off the shower. She also couldn’t see him clearly. “What happened to knocking before barging in?”

“You wouldn’t have heard me anyway,” he said, taking a few steps forward.

“Alexander Scott, don’t you dare take another step forward otherwise I’m going to be very mad at you!” She warned.

“Did you just call me by my full name?” Xander paused for a moment, tilting his head to the side.

Ignoring him, she reached a hand out to grab a towel from the rail. She dried her body and wrapped the towel around her before stepping out of the shower area. “Why are you here?”

Xander’s gaze fell on her. He took in her wet hair and her enchanting facial features plus how the towel tightly bound her chest and announced, “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Huh?” Aurora’s gaze widened in surprise.

Later at night when they laid down to sleep, Xander brought her into his embrace, hugging her from behind.

“Why do you have to leave tomorrow?” she inquired as her body seeped the warmth from his, feeling safe in his arms.

“It’s urgent,” he answered, snuggling closer. “I will be off the grid. Communication will be almost impossible, but I will do my best to reach out when possible.”

“Oh.” Aurora’s mood dampened. She didn’t expect him to leave that soon. “What time are you leaving?”

“In four hours.” Xander pressed a soft kiss on her right shoulder and breathed in her scent.

Four hours later, Xander emerged onto the rooftop, his figure shrouded in darkness. Black attire enveloped him, accentuating the sharp angles of his face. His eyes seemed to absorb the faint moonlight, radiating an unnerving intensity.

Without a word, he climbed into the helicopter, Liam following closely behind.

“Sir, surveillance is in place. She will be protected,” Liam reported.

Xander’s gaze lingered on the cityscape before his voice dropped to a low, icy tone, “See to it that she remains unharmed.”

As he pulled on his leather gloves, the dim helicopter lights highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw, amplifying the aura of menace surrounding him.

The rotors whirred to life, and the helicopter lifted off, disappearing into the night, leaving an unsettling sense of foreboding in its wake.

Meanwhile, Aurora fell into another trance in her sleep. This time around, more depth was added to her lost memory.

—

Little Aurora sat on a small stool in the corner of the dimly lit room and watched the two adults having a heated conversation as she held the stuffed toy that she was gifted some minutes ago.

“Evelyn, our situation has been compromised. They have found out about you and Aurora,” the tall man with his back to Aurora said.

Aurora’s mother gasped in shock, her hands flying to her mouth. “What are we going to do?”

The man released a deep sigh. “I can no longer see or visit you both again.”

“W-What do you mean?” Evelyn stuttered, looking heartbroken. “Are you cutting ties with us? No, you can’t do this! Your daughter still needs you.”

The man shook his head. “This is the only way to protect you both and the only way to make it up to them.”

“N-No, Y-You C-Can’t do this. W-We can think of something else,” Evelyn said desperately, trying to persuade him but instead, he turned his back to her.

“This is the only way. Please, accept it,” the man said and glanced at little Aurora. He released a deep sigh and walked out of the room, stepping into the dim hallway.

Immediately, little Aurora dropped the stuffed animal and ran out of the room, panic in her eyes. “Daddy!” she called out but got no response.

“Aurora!” her mother called, quickly coming to her side and grasping her short arm.

Little Aurora’s chest heaved as she watched the man’s receding figure vanish into the distance. She still didn’t catch his face, only the broad shoulders and fading footsteps.

Her gaze shifted to her mother’s pale face, seeking comfort.

“Mummy, when next is Daddy coming to see us?” her little voice trembled.

Her mother’s eyes welled up, a single tear escaping. “He is never coming back to us.”

“No! I want my Daddy!” she wailed. And without hesitation, she took off after the disappearing figure. “Daddy!” her shrill cry echoed through the hallway.

“Aurora, come back!” her mother’s panicked voice followed, footsteps pounding the floor as she chased after her.

—

Aurora jolted awake, her chest heaving. Sweat beaded on her forehead. She scanned the room frantically, her cheeks stained with tears.

It took a few minutes for her to calm down and really grasp the situation. Fear gripped her as she realized this wasn’t just a dream.