Aurora sat in front of her vanity, gazing at her reflection. A soft smile played on her lips as her mind replayed the words Mark had said to her in the hospital. "He loves me…" she whispered, still unable to believe it.
"What has got you smiling like that?" came his deep voice from behind her, sending a pleasant chill down her spine. She turned slightly. "Urhmm… nothing. I was just thinking." Mark raised a brow. "Hmm, I see."
He stepped closer. "Aurora, there's something I want to tell you."
That caught her attention. She swiveled around, giving him her full focus. "Yeah? I'm listening." "Do you want to know where I first laid eyes on you?" A slight frown formed on Aurora's face. "Yes… I'd actually love to know."
"Maxgel Mall," he said with a knowing smile.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "So… it was you?" "Yeah, it was me."
Aurora's jaw dropped slightly. "That explains it! I knew someone was there that day I felt it. Like someone was watching me." So, you knew?" "No, not exactly. But I could feel the presence… a strange yet comforting one," she said softly.
Mark nodded. "I didn't know who you were then. But you were so beautiful I just couldn't take my eyes off you."Aurora blushed. Her cheeks turned pink at his words. "Is that why you married me?" she asked, half-joking.
Mark's eyes dimmed slightly. "No," he said honestly. "I married you out of revenge."
Aurora's eyes went wide, her heart skipping a beat. "What?" "Yes," he said, meeting her eyes, "but that's all in the past now. What matters most is that I fell in love with you. And I also reconnected with a long-friend's sister thanks to you."
She stared at him, trying to process it all. "Hmm… that's nice to hear," she finally said.
Mark smiled and extended his hand toward her. "Come. I want to show you something."
Aurora rose and placed her hand in his. He led her gently to the balcony. "Look up," he said, pointing toward the night sky. She tilted her head upward just as fireworks exploded into the air. "Wow…" she gasped, completely mesmerized. "This is… this is beautiful."
"Thank you so much, Mark."
The smile on her face was radiant, pure like the moonlight kissing her skin. As she watched, one particular firework exploded in the shape of her name Aurora etched across the sky in glittering lights. She was awestruck.
Mark slipped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her into him. She leaned against his chest, her heart racing.Then, he gently turned her around and leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss he had long fantasized about. His lips were soft and warm, full of passion. He took his time, savoring her taste just as he had always imagined.
As his tongue slid between her lips, the kiss deepened, igniting a fire within them both. His hands roamed gently down her back, while hers tangled in his hair. She moaned softly into his mouth, breathless. Her body melted into his hot, weak, trembling.
Mark pressed her closer. The intensity of the kiss swept them both into another world, one of flames and stars. When they finally pulled away, their foreheads rested together, breath mingling, hearts pounding.
"That was… beautiful," he whispered in a hoarse, shaky tone. "I can never imagine life without you, Aurora." She smiled shyly, cheeks flushed, and laid her head on his chest. Her heart was full.
***Next Evening***
Aurora stood at her side of the closet, getting ready, while Mark dressed at his. They were heading to Maxwell's Mansion for his wedding anniversary party. Mark's voice came from behind her, cold and sharp. "Are you done?" Aurora raised her eyes reluctantly and saw his reflection in the mirror. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black Armani suit clean-shaven, composed, distant.
"You can go ahead," she said quietly. "My gown hasn't arrived yet. I'll come by myself."
It pained her to lie, but she had no choice. She didn't want to ride in the same car with him not after the night before. She could still hear the words echoing in her head.
"You reek of alcohol," she'd told him, her voice laced with hurt. "I told you before I hate alcohol." "I don't care, Aurora!" he'd snapped. "You can't stop me from doing what I want. Give me a break, woman!" That memory stung.
He never told her why he drank that night. It left her feeling confused, betrayed. If he truly loved her, why wouldn't he listen? Why would he do something she openly despised? Now, as she sat before her mirror in a pink robe, applying gloss to her lips, she tried to push the thoughts away. But they kept coming back, like waves crashing against her sanity.