"Yeah, funny. I assume you had a happy childhood," Mark said, his tone laced with something Aurora couldn't quite read.
"Not exactly… it was only after Jake came into my life," she replied softly, her gaze falling to the bedsheets. Mark hesitated before asking, "Do you still love him?"
Aurora's lips parted slightly, a pause hanging heavy in the air before she pressed them together. "Yes… I do. Very much."
"That's… good to know." He forced out a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Uh… should I get you breakfast? Or do you want to take your shower first?"I'll have breakfast first."
"Okay then. I'll ask Tiwa to get it for you she can also help you with your bath." Mark rose from his chair, already turning for the door when Aurora's voice called him back. "Mark."
He turned swiftly. "Yes?"
"Thank you… once again."No need… it's okay." Aurora smiled faintly, the warmth of it lingering in the air between them. "I'll take my leave now," he said, almost too quickly, before hurrying out. Mark sank into his swivel chair, eyes locking on one thing Aurora's framed picture on his desk. The sight seemed to hollow out his chest.
Since when did I fall for you? he thought bitterly. This is all madness… I have to bury these feelings before they consume me.
"Scorpion!" he called sharply."Yes, Sir."
"I want every piece of information you can get about Charles. Every damn detail. I want him punished in a way he'll never forget…" He stopped mid-sentence, jaw tightening as he exhaled slowly through his nose. "…You can go now."
Scorpion bowed and left without a word.
Mark walked to the mini-bar in the corner of his office. His hands were steady as he poured a glass of whiskey, but his mind was anything but. One glass turned into two. Then three.By the time the third bottle was empty, Mark was slouched in his chair, eyes unfocused, the room spinning.
Knock. Knock.
"You may enter," Aurora's voice called.
The door opened and Tiwa stepped in with a warm smile. "Hi, Aurora. I brought you breakfast."Oh, that's so sweet of you. Come in, please." Tiwa walked to the bed, setting the tray gently down. "Here you go."
"Mmm… smells delicious," Aurora murmured, inhaling deeply. Tiwa hesitated, then spoke softly. "Aurora… I'm so sorry about what happened to you. I can't imagine what you went through."
"Don't worry, Tiwa. I'm fine now. All I have to do is watch out… and probably take extra guards with me." She gave a small, humorless chuckle. "I'll be retiring from work for the meantime. Anyways, I trust my fellow doctors." Her tone shifted, quieter. "I just… have to be careful not to stress myself out. Who knows… I might be dying anytime soon."
"Hey! Why would you say that?" Tiwa's eyes widened in alarm."Please promise me you won't tell Mark about this," Aurora said, her voice suddenly pleading.
"But… how can I? I mean—"
"Please, Tiwa. Promise me." Tiwa's lips trembled. "…Okay, fine. I promise you."
Aurora's gaze dropped. "I have leukemia. I need a bone marrow transplant."What?" Tiwa's voice cracked. "How? Since when? You're fine, right? "No… I'm not. I can feel it… inside me. Every second, I'm dying a little more."Then why haven't you had the surgery?" Aurora's voice was quiet, almost broken. "Because mine is genetic. I need my mother's bone marrow." Then what are you waiting for?"
Aurora's next words were barely above a whisper. "…They aren't my real parents. I was adopted."What?!" Tiwa's breath caught. "So you mean… you're an orphan?"I'm not really sure… I don't know the truth about any of it."
Tiwa's eyes brimmed with tears. "Aurora… what can I do to help you?" "Nothing can be done, Tiwa. Absolutely nothing."No! No, you can't just die like that!" Tiwa wiped her cheeks roughly, her hands trembling.
Hey…" Aurora gave her a small, almost peaceful smile. "No need to cry. I will embrace death wholeheartedly… my life has always been pointless. No happiness, no care… nothing has ever felt like home." She paused, her voice breaking. "I was only truly happy back then… even when I knew I was going to die."