"Orion, I'm talking. Do not walk out on me!"
Gemma called after her son. It had been two months since he introduced Aura as his wife, and she still had no idea what family Aura came from—no background that would help her accept this woman as a daughter-in-law.
"Where is she?" Gemma demanded as she stormed up the stairs to find Aura.
"I've been asking you since the day Orion brought you to the family house. When are you going to respond to me?"
Gemma had reached her limit; it was time to show this young lady who was in charge.
Aura sat on the floor, strategising how to get Orion to open up to her. She was prepared to listen as long as he explained the papers she had discovered in his study. Uncertain but determined, she refused to jump to conclusions.
"Please, Mom, I need to be alone. Why can't you just leave me be?" For the first time in her two-month stay with Orion, Aura stood her ground against Gemma.
Gemma's hand trembled at her side.
"What did you just say?"
"Say that again." Gemma grabbed Aura by the collar of her shirt, lifting her to her feet.
"How dare you?"
Gemma tightened her grip, choking Aura slightly.
"You think you can talk back to me?!" she hissed.
"Mom... you're choking me," Aura gasped.
"I don't want you here—that's why," Gemma replied coldly.
She loosened her grip with her left hand, freeing her right to assert more authority.
"Don't you ever call me 'Mom' with that vulgar mouth of yours."
*Slap*
Aura felt a sharp sting on her left cheek.
"Mom… what have I done to deserve this?" She trembled but stood tall.
"From now on, I don't want to see your face in my son's house."
*Slap*
Aura received another hit, this time on the other cheek.
Gemma casually sat down on the single couch, inspecting her nails as if Aura's collar had caused irreparable damage. Just yesterday, she had them done—a vibrant red that she always chose as her signature look.
Back in her previous position, Aura cursed under her breath, refusing to back down.
"Very well, then."
"What did you say?"
"Gemma, I will not endure your rudeness any longer." Aura stood tall, asserting herself over Gemma.
"So you dare to speak after what just happened to you?" Gemma shot back, her voice dripping with disdain.
Aura raised her hand, ready to fight fire with fire.
"Tit for tat."
"Don't you dare hit her!"
Out of nowhere, Orion intervened.
Aura's hand froze mid-air.
"Orion—she—"
"That's enough. Do you have no respect, Aura? Trying to hit your elder?" Orion reprimanded her.
"Son..."
Gemma was in tears, clinging desperately to Orion's arm for support.
"Get me out of here," she sobbed dramatically.
"This wife of yours has to go. Did you see what she was about to do?"
As Gemma composed herself upon seeing her son's silhouette, Aura seized the moment to speak up.
"Orion, Orion."
Aura called out his name, but he seemed intent on tuning her out.
He focused on comforting his mother, then tried to walk away.
"Don't tell me you're leaving me with that witch!" Gemma shouted.
"Orion, I need an explanation!" Aura stepped boldly in front of him, still wearing only his shirt.
Orion looked at her, taking in her dishevelled state.
"What?" Aura replied, her confusion evident.
She suddenly realised she was still clad in his shirt, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"I need you to answer my questions," she stated, regaining her composure.
"What do you want to know?" Orion's patience was fraying, and he struggled to look at her—his mother's earlier grip had left marks.
"I'm well aware you saw everything that went down. Aren't you going to take any action?"
Aura pointed at Gemma, her voice firm.
"She's my mother," Orion replied softly but firmly.
"I'm your wife, Orion. For goodness' sake!"
"Why do you keep me in the dark? We're married, and yet you always prioritise her over me. Did you marry her or me?"
"Aura!" Orion snapped.
"Orion!" Aura echoed his tone defiantly.
At that moment, Gemma sipped from her drink, amused by the unfolding drama.
"Fine," Aura relented, moving to the single couch and curling up, her long legs on display.
Orion tucked his hands into his pockets, wanting to share the truth but remembering it wasn't the plan.
"Even if you won't defend me against your mother, at least tell me about the papers I found in your study."
Her body burned with anticipation, hoping against hope that her fears weren't true—that he hadn't married her just to gain control of his company, that a contract wasn't his real motivation.
"Please..." Before she could finish, he threw the papers in her direction.
Aura caught one, her heart sinking as she saw "divorce" glaring back at her.
"What is this?"
"It's exactly what you see," Orion replied flatly.
Gemma smirked, clearly pleased with the unfolding situation, convinced that Orion would finally send Aura packing.
"Orion, so this is how it ends?" Aura felt her heart shatter.
"Is it really true? You married me just to secure your company?" Tears streamed down her face.
"No wonder you rushed to introduce me to your grandfather right after we came back from City Hall."
Orion remained silent, his expression unreadable, leaving her to grapple with her painful realisations.