3

Aurora's POV

I'm not supposed to be here.

I am aware of this.

Nevertheless, I find myself standing outside of Cassian's private office at Holt Industries, gripping the chilly door handle with tensed fingers.

I keep thinking about Emilia's warning.

Before he pushes you out, go out.

I nearly did. I told myself I didn't need to hear it straight from his lips and nearly turned to leave. But there was a part of me that longed to know for sure, perhaps the last stupid, frail part of my heart.

So I arrived.

I can hear the voices inside because the door is slightly open.

Cassian. Bastian Holt, too.

I smash my pulse as I press myself against the wall.

With a tone that combines humor and sympathy, Bastian says, "She's still your wife." "Are you certain she won't cause any problems?"

Cassian lets out a quick breath. "She refuses to."

“Are we not confident?” Bastian laughs. "What gives you such confidence?"

A pause. The words that will destroy me are then spoken by Cassian Viero in a tone so composed and completely unhesitating.

"She has no meaning for me. She would go on her own if she had any pride.

I thought for a second I had misheard.

I'm not breathing. I stay put.

Bastian then chuckles. Viero, you're as cold as ever.

The floor is scraped by a chair. "We're done talking," Cassian murmurs.

However, I've already left.

---

Cassian's POV

I can hardly hear what Bastian is saying.

I feel a peculiar weight that wasn't there before, a constriction in my chest.

I disregard it.

Aurora will comprehend. This was never permanent. She was aware of that right away.

Has she not?

I check my watch. "If we're finished here—"

I notice a glimmer of movement.

The door.

It's more expansive than before.

My stomach twists uneasily for a moment.

Then I see her through the glass window.

Aurora.

Head high, shoulders rigid, leaving.

And I am aware.

She listened to everything.

---

Aurora's POV

I have no recollection of leaving the building.

I'm standing outside Cassian's office one minute, his words still piercing me like glass fragments. The next moment, the city is fading away as I go out into the sidewalk.

Nothing.

He doesn't care about me.

I put a hand to my stomach, feeling sick to my stomach. It's not just heartbreak, though. Not only the treachery.

Something else is involved.

A small, delicate life developing within me.

Something I didn't intend to hide from him.

So far.

I let out a bitter, broken laugh.

How lyrical.

I had wanted Cassian to see what I meant. And I understood.

I had no meaning.

I put my arms over myself and swallow hard. The streetlights stretch into long, warped streaks, and my vision swims.

I must relocate. I must think.

However, my feet will only take me as far away from the man who unintentionally broke me as possible.

---

Cassian's POV

She is in the lobby.

She seems to be rushing from something since she is moving too quickly. from me.

I don't think twice. I reach for her, pushing past the throng. "Aurora—"

She recoils.

It's not big. Hardly noticeable. However, I can see it.

And it stops me cold for some reason.

I try again, gentler, "Aurora." "Hold on."

When she eventually turns, I feel a knot in my stomach as she glances at me.

Her face is unreadable. Nothing. However, God, her eyes—

She has nothing left to lose, and those are her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Carefully, I ask.

Aurora tilts her head, a slow, almost unsettling smile curling her lips. "No, Cassian."

I would be more uneasy if she had screamed than if she had said my name in a smooth, steady voice, like a razor sliding between ribs.

"Are you certain?" I push.

"Yes, I am." Her eyes dart over me, evaluating, disinterested. "In actuality, I now fully comprehend everything."

The base of my neck prickles with an odd ache.

"Do you understand?"

For the first time in two years, I am the one holding my breath as she takes a step closer.

She whispers, "That I don't have to stay where I am not wanted."

After that, she turns and leaves through the door.

I also gave her permission.

---

Aurora's POV

As I enter the street, the first drop of rain lands on my skin.

Then another.

And yet another.

No, I don't run. I make no effort to protect myself.

I allowed it to happen.

the chill. The rain. the weight of what I've been attempting to keep together.

Suddenly, it crashes over me.

My knees give out.

Memories tear through me as I collapse onto the damp sidewalk, fingers sinking into the surface, panting for air—

Standing at the altar, Cassian's face was unreadable.

In our penthouse, Cassian brushed past me as though I didn't exist.

Cassian, cutting the final thin thread binding us together by signing that contract.

I don't care about her.

I let out a sob, raw and awful.

My hands are pressed against my stomach.

I remind myself that you are not very little. I share the little life I have inside of me.

But I feel like I am, God.

The rain continues to fall.

And for the very first time since the start of this nightmare—

At last, I broke.

---

Cassian's POV

Watching Aurora leave makes me feel a weird restlessness.

There is a problem.

There is a problem.

I force the thought away with a forceful exhale. She will be alright.

She is constantly.

Except—

However, when she glanced at me just now, she wasn't feeling well.

She was nothing.

Frustration tightening in my gut, I run a palm down my face.

I must have a drink. I need something to divert my attention. I must—

My phone is buzzing.

I look at the screen. Unknown figure.

I nearly disregard it.

However, I can't identify the impulse that compels me to pick up.

“Hello?”

On the other end, there is silence. Then came the unexpected, agitated voice of a lady.

"Mister Viero?"

I furrow my brows. "Who is this?"

"I work at the West 9th medical clinic." A pause. Next, lower:

"This is your wife. In the downpour, she fell to the ground.

The earth sways.

I don't recall my glass falling.

I don't recall reaching for my keys.

All I know is that I'm standing in my office one moment, and then—

I'm running.