The family enjoyed a delightful dinner together. Ambrose felt a sense of relief as his daughter had returned safely. With Aura ready to step into her new role, he could finally take a break.
He sighed contentedly, and Astrid gazed thoughtfully at her husband.
"She's grown up," she observed.
They sat in their room, awaiting Aura's return, as she had asked them to wait for an important discussion.
"I just wish Arden could be this calm," Astrid admitted, a hint of concern in her tone.
"Don't worry," Ambrose reassured her.
"They both have unique gifts. No matter the paths they choose, as long as we support them, they'll be just fine."
*Knock, knock.*
Aura entered, closing the door behind her.
"Wren went back to the factory, and Ivy retired early. She looked exhausted. What were you two discussing while I was away?" She asked, her tone curious.
"It's nothing serious. They've just been keeping us company," Astrid waved a hand dismissively.
"Come join us," Ambrose beckoned her to sit between them.
"I know you both want details, but please, no interruptions while I share my story," Aura requested firmly, anticipating their usual interjections, especially from her mother.
Both parents nodded in understanding.
Aura adjusted her clothes, gathering her thoughts.
"When I left, I went to the hacking firm to find my saviour ahead of time. I persuaded them to track him down," she began confidently.
"Fortunately, he's a well-known figure in A City. It took barely two minutes for them to locate him."
Astrid let out a small squeal of excitement.
Ambrose shot her a warning glance, and she silenced herself.
"To avoid raising suspicions, I took on an alias: Aura McRald. It was the name of a family that perished in a fire two years ago, their names effectively erased from the records. I was the only 'survivor.'"
Ambrose exhaled, relieved that she wouldn't be entwined with someone unfamiliar.
"With the money I had, I secured a small apartment. Then I spotted my saviour in the news, donating gifts to an orphanage. I seized the chance to see him in person since the orphanage was near my apartment. I disguised myself as one of the donors."
"Why didn't you go straight to him, knowing where he worked?" Astrid pressed, impatience edging her voice.
"Mom—"
"Let her finish."
"I didn't even get to shake his hand. I noticed something strange: there were no women around him, only men dressed in black."
Aura's tone suggested that Orion was definitely a man's man.
"What's his name?" Ambrose asked, pondering the implications.
"Orion Wilder."
"Wilder... that name rings a bell," Ambrose replied.
"Isn't he Finn Wilder's grandson?" Ambrose continued.
"That's right," Aura confirmed.
"The Wilder Company has been managed by Finn since his son passed. That old man is incredibly active. I had one chance to meet him, but I sensed he wasn't ready for it. The loss of his only son affected him deeply."
"I learned that as well," Aura added.
"After that day, I discovered that he was running the Wilder Company. To get closer to him, I applied for a job there."
"What position did you get?" Astrid questioned eagerly.
"I became his secretary," Aura replied with a hint of pride in her voice.
"He chose me for the role," she added quickly.
"Just like that?" Ambrose asked, shifting uncomfortably as the story unfolded.
"He recognised me as the girl he saved from the thugs. Nobody held that position, which had been vacant for over three years. I got lucky."
Ambrose sighed, feeling a sense of assurance.
"I worked for him for two years, but something felt off. He was always distant, and there were never any women around him."
"That's unusual," Astrid remarked.
"Well, we got married and were together for two months before divorcing," Aura stated, concluding her tale.
"You what?" Both Ambrose and Astrid exclaimed in unison.
"You got married without our blessing?"
"You were only together for two months?" Her parents bombarded her with questions.
"Dad, I'm fine," Aura reassured them.
"I didn't ask how you are," Ambrose replied, leaning forward.
"Do you have any explanation for the marriage?" he inquired, a hint of anxiety in his voice.
"He got rid of me after seizing control of the company," Aura said, her voice steady but tinged with sadness.
"It seems he needed somebody to get married to, because his grandpa kept pressing that if he didn't find somebody, the company would be controlled by his younger cousin."
"Are you alright?" Astrid asked her daughter.
"I'm alright."