Ch. 261..265: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 261-265
Chapter 261: She Gave an Ultimatum
Xander entered the house, his mind already weighing the conversation he would soon have with his Aurora. The guilt sat heavily on his chest, but he had known from the start that there was no way around it.
As soon as he stepped inside, Nene approached him with a polite nod. "Sir, Ma’am is upstairs. She came home early today."
Xander gave a short nod. "Alright. Thank you, Nene."
He took the stairs two at a time, each step adding to the tension in his chest. When he entered their bedroom, he noticed Aurora wasn’t in sight, but the faint sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Letting out a small breath, he loosened his tie and made his way to the dressing room. He took off his shoes, belt, tie, and cufflinks, placing them neatly aside before unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt. His muscles were taut, knowing that the truth was inevitable.
Pushing the thoughts aside, he stepped into the bathroom.
Aurora was standing by the sink, fresh out of the shower with a white towel wrapped around her chest, stopping mid-thigh. Her damp hair clung to her back, and the scent of cocoa shower gel filled the space, sweet and intoxicating.
Xander’s lips instinctively curled into a small smile as he leaned in to press a soft kiss to her lips. "Hey, Sweetheart."
Aurora smiled and leaned back slightly, her eyes bright. "Hey," she greeted cheerfully.
Xander studied her expression, relieved that she wasn’t in a sour mood—yet. "You came home early today," he noted, watching her dry her hands. "Did something happen?"
Aurora sighed, tilting her head. "Nothing major. I was just exhausted and wanted a long nap."
Xander nodded in understanding. He hesitated for a second before she turned to him and asked, "What about you? You’re home early too."
"I finished early at the office," Xander said smoothly, keeping his tone even. "And I had something to sort out at home."
Aurora’s gaze flickered with curiosity, but she didn’t pry further. Instead, she leaned against the counter and asked, "Were you able to take care of whatever was troubling you this morning?"
Xander stiffened slightly. He had almost forgotten about their morning conversation. The way she had picked up on his mood so quickly had him wondering if she already knew the truth.
"I’m working on it," he admitted. "It hasn’t been handled completely, but I will take care of it soon."
Aurora’s lips pressed into a line, but before she could ask anything else, Xander smoothly changed the topic. "Would you like to eat anything before or after your nap?"
Aurora yawned lightly and shook her head. "I’ll decide after I wake up."
Xander nodded, leaning in again to press another lingering kiss to her lips. She smiled against his mouth before stepping away toward the bedroom.
Xander watched her leave, and once she was out of sight, he let out a deep breath before stepping into the shower.
---
After dinner, Xander excused himself and entered his study, where Liam was already waiting.
Xander closed the door behind him and walked over to his desk. "Has Daniel confessed yet?"
Liam shook his head. "No. He refuses to talk."
Xander smirked, rubbing his thumb against his index finger. "I appreciate his dedication," he muttered sarcastically.
Liam sighed. "It’s not surprising. He received elite-level training before entering Arsenal. He was chosen for a reason."
Xander nodded, already expecting this. "Continue the interrogation tomorrow. Let’s see how long he lasts."
Liam inclined his head. "Understood."
After the brief discussion, Liam left, and Xander headed upstairs. He entered their bedroom just in time to see Aurora stepping out from the inner room. She was already dressed for bed in a satin nightdress.
She smiled when she saw him. "Took you long enough."
Xander chuckled and walked toward the bed, watching as she climbed in first. He joined her, laying down and immediately pulling her into his arms.
For a while, they stayed like that, tangled together in comfortable silence, until Xander finally spoke.
"There’s something I need to tell you."
Aurora lifted her head slightly to meet his gaze. "Work-related?"
"Yes."
She sat up slightly, resting her elbow on the pillow. "What is it? Another mission?"
Xander hesitated for a brief second before nodding. "Yes, but a small one."
Aurora frowned as though she wanted to say something, but Xander spoke before she could. "A spy infiltrated our secret agent group. Asher and I were responsible for catching him and getting information."
Aurora’s expression tightened. "Did you find the spy?"
Xander met her gaze directly, nodding. "Yes."
Relief passed over her features, but it was short-lived.
Xander added carefully, "He’s in the basement."
Aurora blinked, processing his words. "Which basement?"
Xander inhaled deeply. "Ours."
Aurora’s expression darkened instantly. "Tell me you didn’t lock anyone in our home with the intention of torturing them," she demanded.
Xander sighed. "Sweetheart—"
"Xander." Her voice was sharp now, her gaze filled with disbelief.
"I had no choice," he admitted, his voice calm but firm.
Aurora scoffed and shook her head. Without another word, she laid back on the bed, turned her back to him, and pulled the duvet over her body.
Xander exhaled, running a hand over his face. He knew she wasn’t going to take it well, but it still stung.
"Sweetheart, let me explain," he tried again, his voice softer.
She didn’t respond.
Xander sighed tiredly. He could handle dangerous enemies, betrayals, and high-stakes missions—but when it came to his wife’s anger, he was utterly powerless.
---
The next morning Aurora barely acknowledged Xander throughout breakfast.
Xander attempted to ease the tension. "Do you want more toasted bread?" he asked, hoping she would respond, but she remained silent.
Then a minute later, Xander watched as she, instead, grabbed one herself without sparing him a glance. He sighed inwardly.
Aurora finished eating first, then grabbed her bag and stood up.
Xander called her name. "Aurora."
She ignored him and walked toward the door.
Left with no choice, Xander swiftly got up and reached for her hand, stopping her in her tracks. Then she turned to face him, her gaze cold.
Xander sighed, meeting her eyes. "I’m sorry."
Silence.
Xander’s grip on her hand tightened slightly. "You want to talk to me because of the spy in our basement?"
Aurora glared at him and finally spoke, her voice firm. "I will not tolerate being under the same roof with a man who is being tortured in my home, Xander."
Xander swallowed hard. He knew she meant it, but what was he supposed to do when he didn’t have another choice?
"I suggest you figure out what to do before I return home." Aurora added. The next moment, she snatched her hand away and walked out the door, leaving him standing there.
Xander rubbed his face and let out a deep sigh. "I guess I’m in big trouble."
Chapter 262: From Sorrow to Fury
Swift Family’s Residence.
Olivia sat on the cold floor of her bedroom; her knees pulled up to her chest as silent tears streamed down her face.
Her arms trembled as she hugged herself tightly, trying to hold together the broken pieces of her life. The weight of everything—her father’s death, her mother’s crime, the betrayal, the humiliation—pressed down on her, suffocating her.
Her chest ached as sobs wracked through her body. Her fingers curled into her tangled hair, gripping it desperately. "What kind of life am I living?" she whispered hoarsely, her voice thick with emotion. "What the hell did I do to deserve this?"
Her world had crumbled before her eyes, yet there was nothing she could do to change it. Her mother was locked away, and no matter how hard she tried, the police wouldn’t let her see her. The woman who raised her, who had controlled every aspect of her life, had murdered her father and kept it a secret for months.
Olivia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to drown out the voices in her head—the voices that whispered how pathetic she had become, how she was nothing more than the shadow of a criminal, how she had lost everything.
Then, her phone rang.
The sharp sound shattered the suffocating silence. Olivia flinched before glancing at the device lying beside her. Rita’s name flashed across the screen.
Her heart clenched. This was the fifth time Rita had called today. Ever since news of Stella’s arrest spread, Olivia’s friends had been calling non-stop, eager to get the full story, but she hadn’t answered a single one.
She clenched her jaw and let the phone ring until it stopped.
A moment later, she picked up the device, opened the group chat she shared with Rita, Ella, and Caro, and quickly typed a message.
Olivia:I’m busy. If it’s urgent, drop a message.
She hit send and tossed the phone aside. She had no business explaining herself to a bunch of people who called themselves her friends yet hid plans from her and talked behind her back.
Olivia was sure that they would gloat at her and spread the word of her mother’s crimes if she accidentally let it slip. But she wasn’t going to give any room for that to happen.
For a brief moment, silence filled the room again. Then, without thinking, Olivia picked up her phone and dialled her lawyer’s number. Instead of sitting cooked up in her room, she’d rather face another important battle.
After all, she was too emotionally drained and bored to entertain heart-wrenching thoughts.
The call connected after the second ring.
"Miss Swift," her lawyer greeted.
"Mr. Perkins," she said, trying to steady her voice. "What the hell is taking so long? Why hasn’t Owen’s side handed over my share of the divorce settlement yet?"
Mourning and wallowing in sorrow could come later, but something like money was far more important than them, especially when her worst enemy owed her.
At the moment, Olivia hates Owen more than she resents her mother and envies Aurora.
Mr. Perkins sighed before answering, "Miss Swift, you will have to be patient. There are a few legal formalities that need to be processed before the transfer can—"
"I don’t give a damn about formalities!" Olivia snapped, pushing herself off the floor and pacing the room. She was tired of hearing excuses that only favoured Owen in this case. "The court ordered that I get my percentage. I don’t care how long it usually takes—I want what’s mine now."
"Miss Swift, I understand your frustration, but the process takes time," her lawyer explained once again. "Mr. Scott’s legal team is going through the calculations, and the court has to verify the final assets before they can be transferred to you. So, until then, you have to keep waiting. Please, exercise a little patience."
Olivia clenched her fists. "And how long is that going to take?"
"At least a few more weeks," he admitted.
Olivia’s jaw tightened. A few more weeks? She had no intention of waiting that long.
"If that bastard tries anything funny, I will sue his ass," she growled. She has been looking for an opportunity to get back at Owen, and she wasn’t about to let anyone slip through her fingers.
Mr. Perkins sighed. He had never had such an unreasonable and stubborn client as Olivia. She was the first of her kind. She was so unruly and difficult to work for.
Mr. Perkins made a mental note to assess his future clients before accepting any of their cases and signing an agreement to work with them. Working with Olivia has taught him a great lesson.
There was something more important than money called peace. Thanks to a woman like Olivia Swift, he will learn to prioritize it.
"Let’s not escalate things, Miss Swift. For now, I advise you to wait—" Mr. Perkins continued, trying to persuade Olivia. Unfortunately, he was saying the wrong things.
She didn’t like being told to wait, so she ended the call before he could finish.
Fury boiled inside her. She refuses to be played for a fool since she thinks Owen is working hard to frustrate her.
Without hesitation, Olivia scrolled through her contacts and dialled Owen’s number. The phone rang once. Then twice. Then—
"The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later."
Olivia scowled and redialled.
Again, the same response.
Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Pick up, you little piece of shit!"
She tried a third time. Nothing. Then, realization struck her like a slap to the face.
"That bastard blocked me!" she spat, her voice filled with disbelief and rage as she confirmed that Owen was playing her.
Having known him for a few years and having lived with him for some months, she could tell exactly what he was thinking.
He must have known the reason she was calling and decided to block her directly.
Olivia’s grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. Her blood boiled, and her chest heaved with fury.
Owen was playing dirty.
Chapter 263: The Frustrated Xander
Xander’s Private Residence.
Xander didn’t go to work today. Instead, he remained at home, dealing with the matter that had caused tension between him and his wife.
Down in the basement, the air was thick with the stench of sweat and blood. Dim yellow light flickered from the lone bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows against the cold concrete walls.
Daniel Firth was bound to a metal chair, his wrists tightly cuffed behind him. His face was bruised, his white Arsenal-issued undershirt stained with blotches of red. His breathing was heavy and laboured—each inhale and exhale was a testament to the agony he had endured for the past two hours.
Xander stood before him, his expression unreadable, his posture relaxed yet exuding lethal dominance.
Liam stood a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest, while three burly-looking men—Xander’s trusted enforcers—flanked Daniel on either side.
The air was charged with tension.
Xander crouched down to Daniel’s level, staring into his swollen, bloodshot eyes. "You’ve been trained well," he mused, his voice calm, almost admiring. "Most men would have cracked by now."
Daniel said nothing. He simply glared at Xander, his jaw tightening.
Xander sighed. He reached for the metal table beside him and picked up a small, sharp knife, twirling it between his fingers. The blade glinted under the dim light.
"Let’s try this again," Xander said coolly, leaning forward. "Who sent you?"
Silence.
One of the enforcers stepped forward and, without warning, struck Daniel’s side with a thick rubber baton. The force of the blow sent a violent tremor through his body.
Daniel groaned but clenched his jaw, refusing to scream.
Xander smiled faintly. "You think you can endure this forever?" He gestured subtly with his fingers.
Liam took a step closer, his expression impassive as he retrieved a small remote from his pocket. Without hesitation, he pressed a button.
A high-voltage current shot through Daniel’s body, causing him to convulse violently. His muscles seized up, his breath coming out in strangled gasps as the electric shock coursed through him.
After a few agonizing seconds, Liam released the button, and Daniel slumped forward, his body trembling.
Xander crouched in front of him again. "Who. Sent. You?"
Daniel lifted his head, his breathing ragged. His lips parted slightly, but then—
He spat at Xander’s feet.
Liam’s gaze darkened. The two enforcers exchanged glances.
Xander, however, remained eerily calm. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the saliva off his shoe, and then—
He backhanded Daniel across the face. The impact was brutal, sending the spy’s head snapping to the side.
Blood trickled from the corner of Daniel’s mouth, but he still refused to speak.
Xander clicked his tongue, standing upright. "I really thought you’d be smarter than this." He turned to Liam and nodded.
Liam’s lips pressed into a thin line before he gestured to one of the enforcers. The man stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves, revealing thick, veiny forearms. He grabbed a metal rod, its tip slightly charred from previous use.
Daniel’s breathing grew uneven as he eyed the weapon.
"Last chance," Xander said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Give me a name."
Daniel exhaled slowly. Then, lifting his gaze, he met Xander’s eyes and muttered, "Go to hell."
Xander smirked. "You first."
The enforcer swung the rod.
A sickening crack echoed through the basement as it connected with Daniel’s ribs. His body jerked violently, and this time, he couldn’t suppress the agonized scream that tore from his throat.
The sound bounced off the walls, raw and filled with pain.
Xander remained impassive, his gaze unreadable.
Then his phone vibrated in his pocket. He retrieved it and glanced at the caller ID—Asher.
With a sigh, he answered. "You’re here?"
"Yeah," Asher’s voice came through. "In your sitting room."
"Give me a moment." Xander’s tone remained steady.
Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he turned to Liam. "Continue."
Liam inclined his head.
Without another word, Xander strode toward the exit. As he ascended the basement stairs, Daniel’s tortured screams echoed through the dimly lit hallway.
Xander barely blinked as he walked through the long hallway until he reached the secret path leading to his study.
---
Xander stepped into the living room, his expression unreadable. Asher, who had been casually inspecting the intricate details of a glass sculpture on the centre table, turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Finally," Asher greeted, standing to his feet. "Took you long enough."
Xander gave a tired smirk before clasping Asher’s hand in a firm grip. They pulled each other into a brief, brotherly hug—one that spoke of years of trust, loyalty, and shared bloodshed.
"Been busy," Xander muttered as they both settled onto the two-seater couch.
Asher leaned back, draping one arm over the couch’s armrest. "So, how’s it going with our guest in the basement?"
Xander exhaled sharply and shook his head. "He’s not talking." His jaw clenched. "Not a single damn word."
Asher raised a brow. "Impressive. Not many can endure your methods for this long."
"It’s not impressive," Xander muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I left my office work today to deal with this personally. I could have been in my office, making real progress, but instead, I’m down there, getting nothing but screams and silence."
A slow smirk formed on Asher’s lips. "You sound frustrated."
Xander shot him a flat look.
"Relax," Asher chuckled. "He will talk. They all do, eventually. It’s just a matter of when."
Just then, a pair of maids entered the living room, placing a tray of refreshments on the coffee table—two glasses of scotch, a small bowl of cashews, and a plate of light pastries.
Xander barely glanced at the food. Asher, however, wasted no time. He grabbed a handful of cashews, tossing them into his mouth one by one.
But as he chewed, he noticed Xander hadn’t touched his drink or the food.
"You look extra bothered," Asher noted, swallowing a bite of pastry. "And I don’t think it’s just because of Daniel."
Xander sighed deeply and finally lifted his head, resting his forearms on his thighs. "I told my wife about the mission."
Asher stopped mid-chew, then smirked. "And?"
"She didn’t like it."
Asher let out a low whistle, leaning back with an amused glint in his eye. "I assume it wasn’t just the mission she had a problem with?"
Xander shook his head. "I also told her about the spy in the basement."
Asher winced. "Ouch."
Chapter 264: Dunking
Xander let out another tired sigh and leaned back against the couch. "She ignored me all through breakfast this morning. Then, before she left, she told me she would not tolerate being under the same roof as a man who is being tortured in our home."
Asher let out a deep sigh and rubbed his jaw. "So, she gave you an ultimatum?"
Xander nodded.
Asher studied him for a second before asking, "And what are you going to do about it?"
Xander’s jaw tightened slightly. "She will have to understand." His voice was calm but firm. "This isn’t about what I want. It’s about national security. It’s my duty."
Asher nodded slowly, swirling his glass of scotch before taking a sip. "And if she doesn’t understand?"
Xander was silent for a moment. Then, he met Asher’s gaze and said, "She has to." There was no other way out of this since he couldn’t give up his mission.
Asher smirked slightly and lifted his glass. "Good luck with that."
Xander exhaled and finally took his drink, downing half of it in one go. The burn in his throat was nothing compared to the weight pressing on his shoulders.
A few moments passed in silence before Asher stood up and dusted imaginary lint off his shirt. "Alright," he said, rolling his shoulders. "Now, where is our little guest?"
Xander raised a brow.
"It’s my turn to get answers out of him," Asher added, cracking his knuckles. "Let’s see how long he lasts with me."
Xander smirked faintly, standing to his feet. "This way."
---
Daniel Firth’s bruised and battered body hung limply against the metal chair he was bound to. His face was a swollen mess, blood trickling from his split lip, and yet—he remained stubbornly silent.
The moment Xander and Asher stepped inside, the tension in the room thickened. Liam and the other enforcers immediately straightened and acknowledged Asher’s presence with slight nods.
Asher took a slow, calculating look at Daniel and let out a low whistle. "Damn, you look like you’ve been through hell." He crouched slightly, lifting Daniel’s chin with two fingers. He turned Daniel’s face from side to side, inspecting the injuries with an amused smirk. "And yet, you still won’t talk?"
Daniel glared at him through half-lidded eyes, his breathing ragged.
Shaking his head in mock admiration, Asher turned to Xander. "Tough guy."
Xander chuckled, crossing his arms. "I’ll give him that."
With a sigh, Asher straightened and turned to Liam. "Get me a chair. Looks like I’ll be here for a while."
One of the men hurried to fetch a chair, while Asher casually rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and unstrapped his wristwatch, setting it aside.
Xander observed him with mild amusement. "You’re really making yourself comfortable."
Asher smirked. "Well, unlike you, I believe in taking my time."
Xander scoffed. "You’re choosing a harsher approach than mine. Between the two of us, who’s more wicked?"
Asher shrugged as he finished rolling his sleeves. "Depends on the situation," he mused. Then he added, "But right now? I’m wearing the crown. You’ve got a family now, Xander. You won’t be as ruthless as you used to be."
Xander’s smirk faded slightly. He didn’t argue because deep down, he knew Asher wasn’t wrong. Having Aurora in his life had changed him. But what Asher didn’t know was that if anyone so much as breathed the wrong way around his wife or child, he would become something far worse than the man he used to be.
A few minutes later, the chair Asher requested was placed in front of him, and shortly after, the special tools he had asked for were brought in.
Asher finally settled in his seat, stretching out his legs comfortably. He studied Daniel for a moment before starting, his voice almost conversational. "Let’s start easy. What’s your full name?"
Daniel’s lips parted slightly. "You... already know that." His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
Asher nodded. "I do. But I need you to say it out loud."
Daniel hesitated before rasping out, "Daniel Firth."
"Good." Asher leaned back. "See? This isn’t so hard."
He continued with a few more personal questions—age, background, military experience. Daniel answered them all with forced cooperation, his head bobbing slightly as exhaustion weighed on him.
Then Asher’s tone shifted, turning sharp. "Now, let’s talk about the important stuff. Who sent you?"
Daniel remained silent.
Asher smirked. "Don’t lie to me, Daniel. I’ve already got your file. I know more about you than you think." His eyes darkened. "If you try to bullshit me, I’ll know."
Daniel let out a slow breath, then, to Asher’s mild amusement, a smirk curled his swollen lips. "Then why haven’t you figured out who’s behind me?"
Xander scoffed from the side. "You’re going to regret saying that."
Asher, however, chuckled. "I like him," he mused. "He’s got guts."
Daniel spat blood onto the floor. "Go to hell."
Asher stood up slowly, undoing three buttons of his shirt. He stretched his neck from side to side, rolling his shoulders. Then, he tilted his head at Daniel and asked, "How long can you hold your breath underwater?"
Daniel’s smirk faltered. His muscles stiffened slightly, and his eyes flickered with the first signs of fear.
Asher grinned. "Oh, don’t look at me like that. You started this."
One of the enforcers wheeled in a large metal drum and set it next to Daniel. Moments later, another lackey arrived, carrying large jugs of water. Without hesitation, they began filling the drum.
Asher took this moment to step aside with Xander. He lowered his voice. "I don’t think he’s going to crack today. He’s been trained too well."
Xander placed his hands on his waist and exhaled through his nose. "So what do you suggest?"
"Buy yourself more time." Asher met his gaze. "You need to figure out a way to keep him here longer without making your wife walk out on you."
Xander clenched his jaw. He didn’t have a choice.
A few minutes later, everything was in place.
Daniel was untied from the chair and forcibly restrained. His wrists and ankles were bound as he was hoisted up by thick chains attached to the ceiling, his body dangling upside down.
Asher stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Dunk him."
With a swift motion, the men lowered Daniel’s body into the freezing water, submerging him completely.
Thirty seconds passed.
Asher casually checked his watch before giving the order. "Bring him up."
Daniel was yanked from the water, gasping violently for air. He coughed, his chest heaving as water streamed down his face.
Asher smirked. "How was it? Do you feel like talking now?"
Daniel’s glare was filled with pure hatred. "You... son of a—"
Asher held up a hand. "Ah, ah. Save your energy." Then, turning to Xander, he joked, "He’s doing pretty well. Must have aced this test when he was training for Arsenal."
Xander smirked. "Sounds like it. "
Asher snapped his fingers. "Alright. Let’s go for a full minute this time."
Daniel barely had time to react before he was plunged back into the water.
Sixty seconds felt like an eternity.
When Daniel was finally lifted out, his face was red, his eyes bloodshot. He coughed and wheezed, struggling to catch his breath.
"You’re a bastard," he spat weakly.
Asher’s gaze darkened. "And we’re just getting started."
For the next round, Asher took things to another level. His methods were cruel, relentless. He played with Daniel’s mind, broke his body, and shattered his arrogance.
By the time he was done, Daniel was unconscious.
Xander sighed. "Not much progress."
Just then, the basement door creaked open. Liam who had stepped out for a moment, entered hurriedly, glancing at Xander.
"Sir," Liam announced. "Ma’am is back."
Xander checked his watch, his brows furrowing. Time had flown by faster than he expected.
Asher groaned. "Damn. Bad timing."
Xander shook his head. "We need to get out of here. Now."
Asher nodded.
Turning to Liam, Xander issued his next order. "Clean this up. Make sure no one else comes down here."
Liam bowed his head. "Understood."
Without another word, Xander and Asher exited the basement, leaving behind the mess they had made.
Chapter 265: Losing His Wife
Aurora sat quietly in the backseat, her gaze fixed on the sky. The moment her car turned toward the main entrance of the house, her sharp eyes caught something—an unsettling shift in the security movements.
The guards were more discreet today, moving in a manner that suggested they were trying not to be seen. Their rotations were tighter, and their positions more strategic. It was subtle, but Aurora noticed.
Her hands curled into fists on her lap. ’Xander, I hope you won’t disappoint me.’
The car came to a stop. The butler immediately stepped forward and opened the door for her. "Welcome home, Ma’am."
Aurora exhaled and stepped out, shrugging off her coat. The butler took it from her with a bow.
As she walked inside, Nene greeted her with a warm smile, reaching for the coat from the butler. "Welcome back, Ma’am."
Aurora nodded in acknowledgement. "Is my husband home?"
"Yes," Nene answered. "He’s in the study with Mr. Moore."
Aurora’s gaze darkened slightly, but she said nothing. Instead, she turned on her heels and headed upstairs, Nene following closely behind.
---
Once inside the master bedroom, Aurora let out a small breath and sank onto the couch, slipping off her shoes.
"Ma’am, I was informed that tonight’s dinner will include grilled salmon with mashed potatoes and a side of—"
Aurora lifted a hand, cutting her off. "I don’t want mashed potatoes. Replace it with steamed vegetables instead."
"Of course, Ma’am," Nene nodded, immediately adjusting the meal plan. "Would you like anything else?"
Aurora considered for a moment before shaking her head. "That will do."
Nene hesitated, then spoke again. "The glass house flower garden has been cleaned and arranged, just as you requested earlier over the phone."
"Good," Aurora said, standing up and stretching. "I’ll go there after my shower."
Nene bowed slightly. "I’ll have the tea prepared."
Aurora merely nodded before heading toward the bathroom.
As she stood under the cold shower, letting the water wash over her skin, her thoughts drifted to Xander once again, and she wondered what choice he had made.
Doubt gnawed at her, making her chest feel heavy. She wanted to believe in him and trust that he would respect the boundaries she had set, but deep down, she feared she already knew the answer.
---
Later that evening, dressed in a comfortable pair of loose pants and a matching top, Aurora grabbed one of the pregnancy books from the nightstand and made her way to the glass house flower garden.
Nene and two other maids were already there, setting up the table. A small tray with a steaming teapot and fine porcelain cups sat waiting for her.
Aurora took a seat. Nene poured her a cup of tea.
"Would you like us to stay, Ma’am?" Nene asked cautiously, noticing the distant look in her eyes.
Aurora took a slow sip and then placed the cup down. "No. I want to be alone."
Worried, Nene hesitated for a moment before saying, "If you need anything—"
"I’ll call you," Aurora assured her.
Nene nodded and left with the other maids.
Silence settled over the space, the only sounds coming from the gentle rustling of the plants and the distant chirping of birds. Aurora curled up in the chair, sipping her tea before flipping open the book.
For a moment, she allowed herself to sink into the words, hoping to distract herself. But no matter how much she read, her mind refused to let go of the uncertainty gripping her heart.
And she was avoiding Xander and reality by hiding out here.
---
Meanwhile, Xander emerged from his study alongside Asher, his expression unreadable.
The butler approached and bowed. "Sir, Ma’am is in the flower garden."
Xander nodded in understanding. "Alright."
The butler bowed again and stepped away.
Outside, Asher clapped a firm hand on Xander’s shoulder. "Good luck with the conversation," he said, feeling for his best friend. Only if he could help him, he would have done that already.
But this was a husband and wife case, and it wasn’t right to interfere.
Xander sighed. "Thanks."
Asher nodded before heading to his car while Xander made his way toward the garden.
---
The moment he stepped inside, his gaze fell on Aurora. She was seated comfortably, tea in hand, book resting on her lap. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated her delicate features, but the calmness in the atmosphere felt... deceptive.
He sighed, walking over and taking a seat across from her.
Aurora’s eyes lifted slightly from her book before she closed it. "Has your best friend left?"
Xander gave a small nod. "Yeah."
Silence stretched between them. Xander studied her carefully, trying to gauge her mood before asking, "How was work today?"
Aurora finally met his gaze, but her expression was blank. "I couldn’t focus."
Xander’s lips parted slightly, guilt flickering in his chest. "I’m sorry about that."
Aurora shook her head. "Let’s not waste any time. What decision have you made?"
Xander exhaled slowly. "Aurora, let’s talk about this after dinner."
Aurora’s eyes narrowed slightly. Without a word, she placed her book down on the stool beside her, then turned to face him fully. "So, you didn’t take my words seriously?" she asked, trying her best to hide the anger swirling in her chest.
Xander clenched his jaw. "I took them seriously, Sweetheart. But I’m in a difficult position—"
"I don’t want to hear that," Aurora interrupted, her tone eerily calm. "I gave you two choices, Xander. It was a simple decision. You can’t love two masters at the same time."
Xander ran a hand down his face. "I can’t neglect my duty to you and our child. But I also can’t abandon my national job," he tried to explain, hoping that she would understand his predicament but of course, she wasn’t going to give in.
Aurora let out a slow breath, shaking her head. "I’m disappointed in you." She was truly disappointed in him. After everything she said to him in the morning, he stalled and refused to prioritize her.
No matter how much she understood his job and how important it was for him to protect National security, that doesn’t mean she would tolerate and accept knowing the existence of a man being tortured in their basement.
There was no way she could sleep well at night knowing that fact.
So, the least she expected of him was to move his prisoner elsewhere so she could maintain the humanity left in her and live without guilt. But it looks like he also didn’t want to understand her.
With them having a child, Aurora paid attention to details and was keen on helping their baby grow in a positive environment and not one dripped in blood and violence.
Xander closed his eyes briefly before looking at her. "I know." Though he said that, Aurora didn’t think he knew how much she was actually disappointed in him.
Xander’s voice was quiet, but it carried a weight that made Aurora’s heart tighten.
"Just give me a few more days," Xander continued. "Then I will let him go."
Daniel was professionally trained, and since getting the information they needed from him would be difficult, a few more days should be enough time for him to talk.
Aurora scoffed. "A few more days?" She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "You really don’t get it, do you?"
Xander leaned forward slightly, his tone pleading. "Sweetheart—"
She lifted her gaze, her eyes burning with quiet fury. "You’ve made your choice, Xander. Now don’t blame me when I make mine."
With that, she pushed back her chair and stood up, turning on her heels and walking away without looking back.
Xander remained seated, watching her retreating figure, feeling an unfamiliar weight settle in his chest.
It seemed he was losing the war with his wife.