Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: A Heartfelt Congratulations

In the dimly lit dining room, Aurora carefully placed her wine glass down, watching as Xander moved his injured shoulder slightly while reaching for a glass of water. It made her brows knit in concern.

“Are you really going to the wedding tomorrow?” she asked, her tone soft but worried. “With your shoulder not fully healed… you know you shouldn’t be doing anything to strain it.”

Xander offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll manage. I won’t be lifting anything heavy or making vigorous movements. I promise.”

She didn’t look entirely convinced. “I don’t need any activity causing more pain in that shoulder. But it’s obvious that you won’t be able to avoid it.” Sighing, she added, “Who knows how many handshakes you will have to give.”

Xander replied, setting his glass down, “I can’t avoid the handshakes, but I can make them subtle. Also, I’m Owen’s uncle, and I have to show up since my aged parents won’t be showing up.”

“Your parents won’t be attending the wedding?” Aurora asked, raising a questioning brow.

Xander shook his head. “They’ve heard about the fiasco Owen caused, and they’re not coming because, as my mother put it, they’re ‘too old for gossip and shame.’ They won’t have any part in that circus.”

Aurora tilted her head, absorbing this. “So, you’re going to represent them?”

“Kind of, although my older brothers will be in attendance,” he said with a faint smirk. “And it wouldn’t be good to vanish from the public eye for too long either. People might start suspecting that I’m not just a regular businessman.”

Aurora gave a small nod, recognizing his point. “That makes sense… Just be careful. With the press there, it’ll probably be a lot of moving around.”

“I’ll be careful,” he promised, reaching across the table to place his hand over hers.

They finished their meal in companionable silence. But as Xander pushed his plate aside, his gaze lingered on her. “Sweetheart, I heard about everything that happened while I was away. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Aurora’s expression softened. “I wanted to focus on enjoying your return,” she said. “I didn’t want to weigh you down with it, especially since I only have half of the story. My Dad promised to tell me everything tomorrow, so I thought it best to wait until I had the full picture before I told you.”

Xander sighed, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he nodded, his hand warm over hers. “Alright. I’ll wait to hear everything after tomorrow.”

—

The next morning, Aurora joined Xander for breakfast before heading to her dressing room downstairs to prepare for the wedding. As the makeup artist dusted her cheeks with a subtle shimmer, the hairstylist gathered her hair into a sleek ponytail, letting it fall in a soft wave down her back.

Finally, she stepped back to look at herself in the mirror. The coffee-brown dress, hugging her curves and finishing with a single, elegant long sleeve, was perfectly complemented by gold jewellery and matching stilettos. She tilted her head, admiring the way the outfit brought out her best features.

Just then, Xander entered, his proud smile reflected in the mirror as he approached. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his lips brushing her bare shoulder.

“You’re stunning,” he whispered, his voice warm against her skin.

Aurora smiled, a hint of colour rising in her cheeks. She turned to face him, reaching up to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Thank you,” she murmured, then quickly picked up her gold clutch and slipped from his grasp with a playful smile. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”

Xander chuckled as he watched her stride out, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

—

Arriving at her family’s residence, Aurora was greeted by the butler. Her heels clicked softly as she followed his guidance through the lavishly decorated hallways of her family’s estate. She paused in front of Olivia’s door and knocked twice before letting herself in.

Inside, Olivia sat on the couch in her wedding gown, a fitted, jewel-encrusted creation with a sweetheart neckline, her hair pinned meticulously in an elegant updo. Diamonds glittered around her neck and on her fingers, framing her face.

She looked every inch the bride, though her fingers nervously played with the edge of her dress. The moment she noticed Aurora, her expression hardened, and she squared her shoulders, as though refusing to show any hint of unease.

“Congratulations on your wedding to Owen,” Aurora began, a smile softening her voice. “Wishing you both a happy marriage.”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “And what exactly are you doing here, Aurora?” she snapped. “Come to gloat?”

“Not at all,” Aurora replied coolly as she took the couch across from her. “I genuinely came to wish you happiness. Though… truth be told, I do wonder if you’ll find it with Owen.”

Olivia’s lips tightened. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

Aurora’s eyes sparkled with feigned innocence. “I thought you’d know. The entire city certainly did, after your fiancé’s… display with your best friend at the bachelorette party.” Her voice was filled with a cutting sweetness, and she watched with hidden satisfaction as Olivia’s face darkened. “I always knew Owen would stray, but I never imagined it’d be so public, and so soon.”

“Shut up,” Olivia hissed, her fists clenching. “You’re only bitter because I took him from you.”

Aurora laughed, the sound cold and clear. “Oh, Olivia,” she murmured. “You didn’t take anything from me except a burden. I couldn’t be more grateful that you removed someone as faithless as Owen from my life.” She shrugged lightly. “You can try to take what I don’t want, but you’ll never come close to taking what actually matters to me.”

Olivia’s eyes burned with rage. “You’re just jealous,” she seethed. “I’ll always take what’s important to you, no matter what it takes.”

“Keep trying,” Aurora countered with a soft, knowing smile. “Though, all you seem to be able to grab are the things I’d already discarded. I think that’s quite fitting.” Her voice lowered. “Look at what your life has become since you ‘won’ Owen.”

“You little—” Olivia’s voice broke with fury as Aurora’s words hit with painful accuracy.

Aurora simply raised a brow. “I only came to thank you. Really. Because of you, my eyes opened to see the little shit he was.” Her smile was smug, leaving no room for argument.

Just then, the door opened, and Stella stepped in, her silver gown glinting as her gaze flicked sharply between Aurora and Olivia. Her brow knit in a mixture of surprise and irritation.

“What are you doing here, Aurora?” Stella’s voice was clipped. “I didn’t think you’d show up after the fight with your father.”

Aurora rose gracefully, smoothing her dress with an air of composed defiance. “Well, I didn’t exactly come here to attend Olivia’s wedding.” Her eyes held Stella’s with an edge. “But while I thought to offer my heartfelt congratulations to her, I also came to find out the identity of my biological father which you two know very well about.”

Her smile faded as her words hung in the room, and Stella’s face stiffened, her shock barely concealed.