Ch. 161..165: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 161-165
Chapter 161: A Change of Mind
Aurora nodded in compliance. She also raised an important topic and they trashed it out there before the meeting was dismissed.
For the rest of the day, Aurora worked seamlessly without any obstructions as Olivia didn’t report to work. After an eventful day at work, she returned home to prepare for the state banquet.
---
Towards early evening, Olivia and Stella dressed up and left for the Scott family’s main residence. As soon as they arrived, they stepped out of the car and matched towards the building and were welcomed by the butler who led them inside the house.
Arriving at the living room, Olivia and Stella met Owen’s parents already sitting on one couch, waiting for them.
"Good evening, Mrs. Patricia, Mr. Richard," Stella greeted, automatically putting a distance between them before settling down on the sofa. Olivia followed her lead and greeted Owen’s parents, but her tone was more casual compared to the edge in her mother’s tone.
Richard and Stella returned their greeting and before they could even ask Olivia how she was doing Stella took over the conversation.
"As you both already know, I brought my daughter here to pick up her things and get the already signed divorce papers from your son, and I believe we wouldn’t have any problems with that, right?" she asked as her gaze moved between the couple in quick succession."
Patricia released a soft sigh and at the same time, Richard took the lead. "Mrs. Swift, I understand your predicament and the pain my son has cost your daughter. It is something that should never be relived, but once again, I am asking you to calm down and let us think things over and talk things through. I believe we are making a mistake here."
Stella scoffed and tapped her fingers on her knees. She looked between the couple and shook her head. Then turning to Olivia, she spoke as if Richard hadn’t said anything important to her, "Dear, it seems to me that the Scotts think we are joking. Why don’t you go upstairs and get the signed divorce papers from Owen first?"
"Okay," Olivia replied. Without sparing Owen’s parents a glance, she stood up from her seat and made her way towards the stairs, leaving her mother to deal with them by herself.
With Olivia gone, Stella focused on the Scott couple who exchanged glances with each other before meeting her fierce gaze.
"Now, can we continue from where we left off?" she asked as she narrowed her gaze at them.
---
Meanwhile, Olivia went up the stairs and headed straight for the bedroom she used to share with Owen. But as she approached the door and lifted her hand to knock, she heard Owen’s muffled voice coming from behind the closed door.
Immediately, she put her hand down and pressed her ear to the door to listen to his conversation.
Behind the door, Owen paced about with his phone placed on his ear. His friend said something from the other end and he replied to it.
"The truth is that I don’t love her anymore. But I do feel guilty for my mistakes. Maybe, I shouldn’t have openly cheated on her. I also regret pushing her, and everyone knows that I didn’t mean to do it."
"So, what are you going to do now?" Owen’s friend asked.
"I’m going to divorce her like she wanted and have my freedom. It’s a good thing that she demanded it otherwise I would have been thinking of ways to bring it up. As you already know, I’m not in the position to bring it up."
"Are you sure you don’t need some time to think about it?" Owen’s friend inquired, trying to persuade him to think about it one more time, but Owen was adamant.
"Do you know for how long I have been looking for an opportunity like this? Since I married Olivia, I have never known what peace felt like. I always felt that I was bound by cuffs and shackles. There is nothing to think about. I have already signed the papers and I did that without wasting a second."
Right outside the door, Olivia scoffed as she continued to listen in on the conversation. Even though she already knew that Owen had nothing like love left for her, she still expected him to sober after what he put her through.
She had two major reasons for her actions. One was to divorce him and gain her freedom while the other one was to punish him emotionally but just now, she found out that instead of doing Owen bad, she was instead giving him what he had been seeking. And how could she take this discovery lying down?
Finding out that all her plans had been futile was the worst feeling Olivia could ever experience right now. She didn’t instigate her child’s death just to gain her freedom from Owen, but rather to punish him greatly. But having seen that her efforts were in vain, she refused to swallow it.
Almost immediately Olivia made the decision, she opened the door and stepped in and as soon as Owen saw her, he terminated the call. And before he could ask what she was doing there, she reached out a hand and demanded the divorce papers.
"I hope you have signed them?" she asked as her dark gaze followed him.
Owen didn’t answer her question instead he walked straight to the nightstand and picked up the divorce papers before walking back to her.
"Here, they are, already signed," he announced as he handed them to her.
As soon as Olivia took over them, she lifted it in front of her face and shredded it before his very eyes.
"I changed my mind," Olivia declared. "I would rather die than divorce you."
"What?" Instantly, Owen’s gaze darkened. Olivia tearing the divorce papers was a move he hadn’t seen coming and for a moment, he couldn’t react due to the shock.
"Don’t even think about freedom until I’m done teaching you a lesson for everything you put me through, including killing my child," Olivia announced through gritted teeth as she met his surprised gaze.
Chapter 162: The State Dinner
Aurora stood in the elegant confines of her private showroom, her team bustling around her as they finalized her look for the night.
The dress she wore was a breathtaking masterpiece—a floor-length gown of midnight blue satin, delicately embroidered with silver threads that shimmered like constellations under the light.
A teardrop diamond necklace adorned her neck, and her hair was styled into an intricate updo, accentuating her graceful features.
When she was finally ready, Aurora stepped out of the showroom to find Xander waiting in the adjacent lounge. He stood tall in a tailored black tuxedo, his presence commanding and refined. His piercing gaze softened as it landed on her, and a rare, warm smile curved his lips.
"You look stunning, sweetheart," Xander said, his voice rich with admiration.
Aurora’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she met his gaze confidently. "Thank you. You clean up well yourself."
Xander chuckled, offering his arm. She took it with a smile, and together they descended the staircase at the front patio right outside the house to find their car waiting.
The sleek Rolls-Royce gleamed under the evening lights, flanked by three other black cars containing their security detail. Nene, poised and professional, was in one, while Liam and the rest of the team occupied the others.
The convoy set off smoothly, the soft hum of the engines signalling their departure for the state dinner.
---
The venue was resplendent, a grand ballroom illuminated with chandeliers and gilded decor. As Xander and Aurora arrived, Liam stepped forward with their invitation card, presenting it to the attendant. The couple entered hand in hand, their elegant presence immediately capturing the attention of the room.
Whispers rippled through the gathering as dignitaries turned to look at them. Some recognized Aurora as the brilliant mind behind the Fruit Punch Champagne, while others were more astounded to learn that she was Xander Scott’s wife.
"Is that her? His wife?" one voice murmured.
"Impossible. Xander Scott would have publicly acknowledged she was his wife since she is Aurora Swift if she was actually the one," said another.
Aurora kept her head held high, her serene smile betraying none of the nerves she felt under the scrutinizing gazes. Xander leaned closer, his voice low and reassuring. "Ignore them. Tonight, they will all learn just how exceptional you are."
As they made their way through the crowd, several high-profile guests approached Xander to exchange pleasantries. He introduced Aurora with pride, each time calling her ’my wife.’ The live cameras in the room caught every moment, and the flash of photographers became a constant backdrop.
---
The room fell silent as the royal family of Octavia made their entrance. The King, resplendent in a ceremonial uniform, led the way with the Queen on his arm. Princess Victoria followed closely behind, her poise and elegance drawing admiration from all corners. The President of Wing City accompanied them, adding to the grandeur of the moment.
Aurora observed the royal family’s entrance with quiet composure, though she couldn’t help but notice Victoria’s sharp, knowing gaze as it briefly met Xander’s. But in all, she thought that the Princess was beautiful.
---
Later in the evening, during a lull in the banquet, Princess Victoria approached them. Her steps were measured, her smile serene, but her eyes sparkled with a calculated interest.
"Mr. Scott," Victoria greeted warmly, though there was a subtle edge to her tone. "It’s lovely to see you again."
"Your Highness," Xander replied politely, his tone impassive. He didn’t bow, and the defiance wasn’t lost on her.
"And you must be the talented Director. Swift," Victoria said, extending her hand to Aurora. "Your Fruit Punch Champagne has become a personal favourite of mine."
Aurora shook her hand gracefully. "Thank you, Your Highness. I’m honoured that you enjoy it."
Victoria’s smile widened as her gaze flicked between the couple. "I must admit, I didn’t realize you were married until tonight. How long has it been?"
Xander cut in before Aurora could answer. "We’ve been happily married for some time now."
"Congratulations," Victoria said smoothly, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in her expression. "I hope you will both join me tomorrow when I visit Vintage Cellar. I’d love to see the winery in person."
Aurora nodded politely. "I will be there to personally give you a tour," she said subtly hinting at Xander’s absence.
As Victoria turned to lead them to meet her parents, she remarked casually, "Xander, it’s been years since you last saw my father and mother, hasn’t it?"
Aurora’s chest tightened momentarily, unsure if the comment was meant to provoke her. But the reassuring squeeze of Xander’s hand steadied her. His silent message was clear: she had absolutely nothing to fear.
---
The King and Queen greeted Xander and Aurora warmly. The King’s deep voice carried a note of authority as he praised Aurora’s work. "Your Fruit Punch Champagne is a remarkable creation. It suits even my discerning palate."
Aurora curtsied gracefully. "Thank you, Your Majesty. That means a lot to me."
The Queen added her own kind words, her tone soft but sincere. "You’ve accomplished so much at such a young age. It’s inspiring."
As the President of Wing City joined the conversation, he greeted Xander with familiarity. "Mr. Scott. It’s been a while."
Xander shook his hand firmly. "Mr. President, it’s always a pleasure."
Aurora felt a swell of pride as Xander introduced her to the President as his wife. She greeted him warmly, her confidence buoyed by the strength of their partnership.
And for the hundredth time that night, she felt proud of being Xander’s wife otherwise, how on earth would she had had the opportunity to get introduced to so many dignitaries tonight?
Without Xander by her side, surely, Stella would have made sure she wouldn’t ever get this kind of opportunity.
---
The evening unfolded with elegance and entertainment. Opera singers graced the stage, and a live orchestra filled the room with enchanting melodies. Aurora found herself making connections with influential women at the banquet, exchanging contact details and invitations to exclusive gatherings.
During the dining segment, Aurora and Xander sat at a prominent table surrounded by ministers and business magnates. Xander cut a piece of his dessert and placed it on her plate. "Try this. You will love it."
Aurora took a bite, her eyes lighting up. "This is delicious."
"You have good taste," he said with a teasing smile, adding more to her plate.
Someone at the table commented, "You two make a lovely couple. It’s refreshing to see such genuine affection."
Aurora blushed, and Xander smiled, his pride evident.
---
As the banquet came to an end, Xander and Aurora made their rounds, bidding farewell to the key figures. When they approached Princess Victoria, she smiled elegantly.
"Xander, let’s arrange some time to catch up. It’s been too long. And of course, bring your beautiful wife and Asher along. What do you say?"
Chapter 163: No Peace for the Wicked
Xander’s response was measured. "I will check my schedule and have my assistant coordinate."
As they left the venue, Xander held Aurora’s hand tightly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as Liam and Nene came to receive them and escort them back to the car.
"Sweetheart, how did you enjoy yourself?"
"Very well." Aurora beamed with a smile, still reeling from the aftermath of the state dinner. "And it’s all thanks to you."
A few minutes into their ride as they chatted heartily about their experience at the dinner, Aurora raised a question, her tone dripping with slight disappointment.
"I really thought I would see the Major in an event like today. Do you happen to know the reason he was absent from an event like tonight?"
Xander tilted his head to the side, seeing that she had intended to speak to him tonight. "He must have been preoccupied with the state affairs, plus plans our next mission."
"Your next mission?" Aurora raised a curious brow. "When is it?"
"The date isn’t clear yet, but Asher and I have been preparing for it so until then, we will continue to lead our normal lives," Xander replied with a small smile on his lips as he squeezed her hand gently to reassure her.
Aurora became lost in thought. She was slightly worried knowing how dangerous his missions could be. The last one she witnessed after he came back, he had a bullet wound. And no matter how insignificant he made it look, she wasn’t comfortable with it.
If that bullet had pierced either his heart or his head, that would have resulted in his instant death.
As if understanding her worries, Xander set to reassure her again, this time around, briefly, before swiftly changing the topic to distract her.
"Sweetheart, what do you think about Victoria’s private invitation? I will only honour it if you will go with me."
Aurora’s brows furrowed lightly as she sank into a deep contemplation. A few moments later, she lifted her head. "You should honour her invitation and as she said, Asher and I are invited."
Aurora wasn’t interested in Princess Victoria for any reason other than to gauge her intentions. Having lived with and observed Xander since they married, she learned one or two tangible things. He was very meticulous and didn’t treat people without caution, so she had to do the same now.
She believed that she had received enough training to depict whether someone could be a foe or a friend through their smallest actions, and this is her purpose for accepting the Princess’s private invitation.
"Whatever you want," Xander said, releasing a soft sigh before lifting her hand to press a soft kiss at the back.
---
The Scott Family’s Main Residence.
At the same time, Olivia and Owen got into a fight regarding their divorce.
"Olivia, what is the meaning of this?" Owen asked, finding his voice at last. "You filed for a divorce, signed the pages and had your lawyer send it to mine. And after I had signed it, you took the papers and tore them up. Who does that?"
As soon as he asked that question, Olivia’s gaze widened. She pointed to her chest and declared to his face, "I!" Looking him in the eyes, she continued without missing a beat. "Why should I suffer so many losses just to give you freedom in the end?"
The conversation she heard moments ago still drummed loudly in her ears. She hadn’t realized that she was doing Owen good by divorcing him until this moment. And now that she had come to know his plans, she would never let him go.
"Unlike you who can easily remarry any woman even on the same day our divorce is finalized, I am not the same. Don’t forget so soon that you killed our child and in the end, I suffered a complication."
"Olivia, I don’t get what you are saying, and I’m not interested in it. We are getting a divorce!" Owen declared angrily as a vein popped on his neck. "If you didn’t like my ways, you should have cancelled the wedding!"
"And if you knew you couldn’t tolerate my excesses like right now, you should have also cancelled the wedding!" Olivia interjected, her eyes blazing with fury. She completely cut him off as he tried to defend himself.
No matter how Olivia blamed him for causing her to miscarry their child, Owen refused to feel guilty anymore. And judging by her display right now, he could already tell that she had overheard his phone conversation.
On the other hand, Olivia no more bothered with him. Refusing to waste her breath arguing with him having realized she was losing strength, she left him in the room, but he still followed after her to see her next action.
---
Meanwhile, Stella was still confidently talking about the divorce with Patricia and Richard.
"My daughter has suffered so many losses in your son’s hands, and it’s only right that you offer her a huge compensation," she said as her gaze moved between them. "And if you are sensitive enough, you will know that we aren’t asking for too much since she might never conceive again."
As soon as Stella finished her statement, the sounds of heavy footsteps echoed in the living room, drawing the attention of the three adults. And almost immediately, Olivia appeared, looking disgruntled.
"Daughter, where is the divorce paper? And your bags?" Stella asked as her brows knotted in a frown.
"Mum, I’m not getting a divorce anymore!" Olivia announced, her voice firm as she met her gaze.
"What!" Stella exclaimed as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her heart racing. "W-what are you talking about?" She asked, wondering what had transpired inside the room.
On the other hand, Patricia looked a bit relieved as she asked Olivia, "Have you talked things out with Owen?"
"We didn’t talk anything out. I made this decision by myself since I was the genesis to start with," Olivia replied as she shifted her gaze back to her.
Chapter 164: Olivia’s Challenging Promsie
Stella wasn’t having Olivia’s decision and insisted that she get a divorce.
"Olivia, I don’t care what happened between you and Owen in that room, but you are getting a divorce today. Where are the papers?" Stella demanded, rising to her feet and stretching her right hand out with a stoic expression on her face.
Just then, Owen appeared with the shredded divorce papers and presented them for all eyes to see. "Olivia shredded everything. Apparently, she would rather die than divorce me because she wants to punish me by staying married to me," he explained as his gaze met everyone’s.
"Exactly," Olivia confirmed. "I heard you speaking to your friend about finally getting your freedom with our divorce. And this day, I put it to you that you are not allowed to have freedom after what you put me through."
Patricia finally understood the situation and regretted wishing and pushing for Olivia not to divorce her son. How could she tolerate a woman trying to trap her son in marriage to set his life up for destruction?
On the other hand, Stella understood her daughter’s plight and didn’t blame her. She couldn’t believe that Owen was happy to get that divorce even though it came with a price. Still, it didn’t distract her from her main objective.
"Olivia, you don’t have to stay married to punish Owen. Don’t subject yourself to that suffering as there are so many ways to make him pay," Stella said, her voice a lot calmer now as she stared at her.
"No!" Olivia refused immediately. Her eyes turned red as she glared daggers at Owen. "He wronged me, and no one is going to tell me how I pay him back." After responding to her mother, she fixed her focus on Owen and his parents who were still sitting comfortably.
"Owen publicly disgraced me time without numbers. He killed my child, hurt me so much and ruined my life in the end. And no one of you did anything to stop him."
Olivia let her tears flow as she recalled those heartbreaking moments that Owen put her through. He didn’t leave any face for her and succeeded in making her a public disgrace and now because of him, she took a drastic measure she would have to live the rest of her life regretting.
"Based on my choice today, Owen and I will remain married. But if I find out that he’s cheating on me or has a child from outside, I will bring mayhem to the Scott family, and I’m not even joking. If I can’t bear children anymore, then Owen, the perpetrator shouldn’t have children either!" Olivia declared, her tone dripping with malice.
"Aren’t you a joker?" Owen fumed while staring daggers at her. Who was she to decide his life for him?
At the same time, Patricia shook her head as her gaze turned serious. "Olivia, that can’t happen. Owen is the first grandson of the Scott family and our only child. You can’t stop him from having children."
"You don’t have that right!" Richard added as he narrowed his gaze down at Olivia, wondering what gave her the confidence to make that demand in the first place right in front of him, and without any fear.
Olivia refused to back down. She fixed her gaze on Owen’s parents and said through gritted teeth, "Well, Owen should have thought about his position in the family before killing our child; the Scott family’s great-grandson, and rendering me barren."
Patricia’s lips moved. She seemed to have something to say regarding Olivia’s comment, but the latter wasn’t done therefore, went ahead with her speech.
"Also, Owen is not the only child of his parents. I am also my mother’s only child. She also needs to have grandchildren and likewise me, I don’t like being barren. As Owen has possibly ended my bloodline, it is only fair that I return the favour because how dare he not be remorseful of his wickedness?!"
At the same moment, Patricia raised a finger, his gaze challenging as he spoke, "Young lady, don’t raise your voice in my presence. Maintain the manners your family instilled in you."
"Okay. If that is your problem, I will maintain the manners I was raised with." Olivia replied, wiping her tears. "But my promise remains. I will destroy the Scott family with my bare hands if Owen continues to cheat or have a child outside."
After reminding everyone of her declarations one more time, she turned around and left where she had come from, leaving everyone to rage in their different thoughts.
---
The Swift Family’s Private Residence.
Stella returned home after failing to convince Olivia to divorce Owen and leave with her. She ignored the greetings from the butlers and a few servants who passed by her.
And as soon as she walked into the living room, she flung her bag to a random couch and started to pace about, her countenance, as dark as the midnight sky.
"Oh, Olivia, you don’t listen!" she said through gritted teeth as she bit her fingertips.
Not long after, Stephanie heard she was back and stepped into the living room. Surprise contoured her face seeing Stella pacing about as if something tragic had happened.
"Where is Olivia?" Stephanie asked, watching her. "You both left to get her things and the divorce papers, why did you come back alone?"
As soon as Stella heard her voice which destroyed her pondering, she turned around with a tinge of annoyance written all over her face. "Since when did you start caring about us? Why don’t you mind your business?"
The next second, Stella grabbed her bag from the couch and stormed out of the living room, leaving Stephanie in wonder.
As Stephanie watched her back disappear, she sank into a deep thought. "She left with her daughter to retrieve her things and the divorce papers, but she returned alone. What must have made her so mad?"
Stephanie guessed that Stella’s anger had everything to do with Olivia and could only patiently wait for what had transpired between the mother and daughter to reach her ears.
Chapter 165: Mother and Daughter Disagreement
Olivia stormed into the shared bedroom, her heels clacking loudly against the polished floor. Slamming the door shut, she inhaled deeply, trying to compose herself.
Her emotions swirled in a chaotic storm—rage, frustration, and something darker. Without wasting a second, she crossed to the en suite bathroom and shut the door behind her.
Inside the bathroom, Olivia turned on the faucet, letting the cold water splash against her palms before dousing her face.
She gripped the edges of the sink and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her makeup was slightly smudged, and her eyes carried the weight of everything she had endured and planned. A flicker of determination sparked in her gaze as a thought crossed her mind.
She swiftly locked the bathroom door. Reassured by the metallic click, she opened the lower drawer of the vanity and retrieved a small, inconspicuous medicine container from under the neatly folded towels.
Her hands trembled slightly as she held it. The pills inside rattled softly, a sinister reminder of the lengths she had gone to get rid of her baby.
"I can’t let anyone find out about this," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of running water. "Or I’ll be doomed."
Olivia grabbed a small stool, dragging it toward the tall shelf above her head. She climbed up, her fingers searching through the clutter until they found a pair of scissors. She stepped down, her movements brisk and purposeful.
Opening the container, she poured its contents into the toilet bowl. The tiny pills disappeared into the swirling water as she flushed them away.
Turning her focus back to the plastic label on the container, Olivia carefully peeled it off. For twenty painstaking minutes, she shredded the label into minuscule pieces with the scissors.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she glanced at the sink. Just then, the doorknob rattled, and she froze.
"Olivia, what are you doing in there? Hurry up!" Owen’s voice carried through the door, laced with irritation.
Her heart pounded. "I’m in here!" she called out, striving for calm. "If you’re in a hurry, use the guest bathroom!"
There was silence, followed by the sound of footsteps retreating. Olivia exhaled shakily and hastened to clean up the mess. She disposed of the shredded pieces in the waste bin and returned the scissors to their original spot. Once the bathroom was immaculate again, she stepped out into the bedroom.
Owen sat on the couch, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her like a hawk. Olivia ignored him, walking to the nightstand. She picked up a container of her pregnancy vitamins and other routine drugs and waved them slightly in his line sight before heading back into the bathroom.
When she returned moments later, she noticed Owen standing near the door. He glanced at her with something unreadable in his eyes before leaving without a word.
"Coward," she muttered under her breath, scoffing. Settling on the bed, Olivia crossed her legs, only to be interrupted by her phone buzzing on the nightstand. The name, ’Mum’ flashed on the screen.
Olivia grabbed her phone and took a long while before answering reluctantly, already knowing what would follow next. "Mum."
"Olivia," Stella’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "What exactly are you doing? Have you forgotten what we talked about? Do you understand the gravity of your decision to stay married to Owen?"
"Mother, I’ve had enough of this lecture—"
"No, you listen to me!" Stella snapped. "Do you realize what you’ve thrown away? I had plans to marry you into the Major’s family. His son would have been the perfect match for you—an impeccable reputation, wealth, power! Only God knows what spoke to you and now, thanks to your stubbornness, that opportunity is gone!"
Olivia gripped the phone tightly, her frustration boiling over. "Do you hear yourself, Mum? Who in their right mind would accept a woman embroiled in scandals, who’s been married, miscarried, and now has slim chances of conceiving again? You think the Major is gullible enough to take on that baggage?"
"Watch your tone!" Stella barked. "I was trying to help you, daughter."
"Well, wake up!" Olivia shot back, her voice trembling with fury. "Your ridiculous dream will never happen! I will take care of myself!"
Before Stella could retort, Olivia ended the call abruptly, tossing the phone onto the bed. She buried her face in her hands, her chest heaving as tears spilled over.
Unbeknownst to Olivia, Patricia stood just outside the door, having overheard the tail end of the heated conversation. A pang of pity flickered in her chest as she heard Olivia’s muffled sobs. Letting out a deep sigh, she turned and walked away.
Entering the master bedroom, she found Richard seated on the bed, his newspaper in hand. She settled beside him and sighed heavily.
"What is it now?" Richard asked without looking up.
"It’s Olivia," Patricia said. "She’s going through a difficult time. As a woman, I understand her pain. She’s lost so much."
Richard lowered the newspaper, his expression hard. "Her plight is regrettable, but she crossed the line earlier by disrespecting us. I won’t tolerate that!"
Patricia placed a calming hand on his arm. "I’ve been thinking... When the dust settle in a few months or a year, we should suggest alternatives—IVF, surrogacy. Science has advanced so much. This will be another opportunity for Olivia to have a child."
Richard frowned. "A year is too long. We will give her some time to recover, but after that, we’ll discuss these options with her and Owen. If she refuses..." His voice trailed off, his tone darkening. "We’ll ensure Owen gets a child, one way or another."
Patricia nodded slowly, though a sliver of doubt clouded her thoughts.
---
Xander’s Private Residence.
At the other end of the city, Xander’s convoy pulled up in front of his private residence. He stepped out first, extending a hand to Aurora with a warm smile.
She took his hand and she said something that lighted up his face as she got off the car.
Xander chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist. "When will the Vogue issue be released?"
"Oh," Aurora said thoughtfully. "According to their timetable, it was released earlier today. A copy should be delivered to me tomorrow morning." She paused, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she hinted at a possible dramatic shock. "I’m sure my stepmother, a loyal subscriber for over thirty years, will receive hers before most people."
"I can already imagine her reaction." Xander smirked, leading her towards the stone path in front of the patio.
Aurora laughed, leaning into him as they ascended the short stairs together. "It’s going to be priceless."