Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 84

Chapter 84: A Tragic Turn of Events

Aurora’s gaze sharpened as she watched Casey rifling through her purse, panic etched across her face. It took only a moment for Aurora to realize who was likely behind the missing phone. Choosing not to involve herself in the matter, she quietly excused herself, leaving Casey to her frustrations.

With the wedding celebrations winding down, Aurora made her way to Xander’s table. He looked up with a familiar warmth, his fingers finding hers beneath the table as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You holding up all right?” he asked, concern lacing his gaze.

Aurora sighed, the slightest hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Honestly, I’m more bored than tired,” she confessed. Xander’s mouth twitched into a playful smile as he leaned in, lowering his voice.

“Wish I could just kiss you right here,” he teased, his gaze softening as he took in her beautiful face.

At this, Asher cleared his throat rather loudly, raising his glass to distract himself. Aurora and Xander exchanged a quick glance before breaking into laughter, the tension of the evening momentarily forgotten.

“Xander, I am likely to spend the night here as I’m yet to speak with my father,” Aurora suddenly announced. Though reluctant since he wasn’t expecting this arrangement, Xander agreed. “I will let your father steal you just for tonight. But call me if anything comes up.”

“I will,” she promised and squeezed his hand one last time before standing to her feet. She bid him and Asher a goodbye before leaving.

—

Across the room, Casey now seething with suspicion, wove through the remaining guests until she reached Olivia and Owen’s table. Without asking, she pulled a chair from a nearby table and set it down at theirs, ignoring their stunned looks.

Olivia’s irritation flared. “What do you think you’re doing here?” she demanded.

Casey raised her champagne flute, forcing a smile. “Just wanted to toast the happy couple,” she said, her gaze flicking to Owen, who clinked glasses with her despite Olivia’s glare. He took a sip, hiding a smirk beneath the glass.

“Casey, enough games,” Olivia’s jaw clenched “Why are you here?”

Casey’s smile faded as she looked straight at Olivia. “I want my phone.”

Feigning innocence, Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Your phone? Why would I have it?”

Ignoring Olivia’s pretence, Casey turned to Owen. “Olivia walked in on me talking to Aurora earlier—I was going to give her some… evidence against Olivia, and suddenly my phone has gone missing. Coincidence? I don’t think so.” She shot Olivia a withering look. “You took it, didn’t you?”

Olivia sneered. “Maybe you should be more careful with your things if they’re that important to you.”

Casey smirked, glancing back at Owen, her voice low and edged with sarcasm. “Good choice distancing yourself from her, Owen. You’ll be glad you did.” Then her gaze lingered on Olivia for a moment, a slight smile tugging at her lips. “Retribution always finds its way,” she said before walking away.

“As expected of you, always at the right places at the right time,” Owen said in a mocking tone after Casey was gone.

Olivia frowned at him. “Is that supposed to be a praise or what?” Owen scoffed, completely ignoring her.

Minutes later, Olivia and Owen kept up appearances, sending off the last of their guests with smiles. Meanwhile, Aurora approached Adam as he rounded off a conversation with an acquittance.

“Dad, I have been patient enough and waited until the end of Olivia’s wedding. Now, I need the truth,” she said to him, her gaze resolute.

A deep sigh escaped Adam’s lips. He knew he couldn’t get away from her now or feed her with any more excuses, so he led the way out of the hall.

“Come with me, we will talk in my study,” he said to her as they took the hallway connecting the East Wing to the main house, but unknown to them, a shadowy figure was trailing behind them.

“Like I said to you before,” Adam said, starting a conversation. “Your mother made me hide the truth from you to protect you after your father became a dangerous person, and both of your safeties were threatened.”

Just then, they arrived at the study. Adam shut the door and led Aurora to the sitting area before gesturing for her to sit down before continuing their conversation.

Adam drew a deep breath, his gaze softening as he regarded Aurora with a mixture of regret and sorrow. “Before I hand over what’s left of your childhood—things your mother wanted kept hidden—I need you to understand something.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “Your father… he had another family.”

Aurora’s heart pounded, her mind racing with questions. “Was my mother… his mistress?” She dared to ask.

Adam’s silence confirmed it, and Aurora felt her knees weaken, thankfully, she was already sitting otherwise, her knees would have buckled.

“She loved him, Aurora,” Adam whispered, assuring her that her mother wasn’t a villain. “They truly cared for each other.”

Aurora barely registered his words, her mind spinning. “She broke up another family,” she murmured, a bitter edge to her voice. “No wonder Stella has never said anything good about her.”

Adam’s brows furrowed slightly. “Stella… she doesn’t know about your background.”

“Yes, she does!” Aurora snapped. “Olivia even hinted at that you weren’t my biological father some weeks back. I’m sure they know everything.” Her voice was steady but edged with quiet fury.

Suddenly, Adam realized something as he thought back to how Stella invited the Major to Olivia’s party tonight, and it finally dawned on him that she knew everything from the start and that her actions had been deliberate.

Just as Adam pondered and wondered when and how Stella found out about those things, the door creaked open as a shadow fell across the doorway.

A man in a waiter’s uniform stepped inside, and Adam immediately recognized him as the one who had spilt drinks on him earlier. “What are you doing here?” he demanded, irritation sharpening his tone. But then he noticed the man pulling a gun from his pocket, aiming it at Aurora.

“Get down!” Adam shouted, lunging forward and pulling Aurora from her chair as the gun fired. The bullet tore into the couch, missing her by inches.

Aurora screamed, ducking as the man stepped closer, aiming again. Adam threw himself in front of her, shielding her with his body as a second shot rang out, this time hitting his side. He grunted in pain, face contorting, but he didn’t budge, determined to protect her.

The assailant stepped forward, firing again. The shot hit Adam in the back, his body jerking as he shielded Aurora. She gasped, clutching her father’s arm as he collapsed against her, his breath ragged and shallow.

“Dad, no—” Aurora choked, trying to steady him as his blood began to seep onto her hands, her terror mounting.