Ch. 66..70: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 66-70
Chapter 66: Making Her Feel Bad
After dinner, Aurora and Xander finally went to their bedroom.
"Do you want a cold bath or a warm bath?" Aurora asked as she draped his jacket on her left arm, watching as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Me?" Xander pointed a finger at himself. "A bath?" He sounded like it was ridiculous for a grown-ass man like him to take a bath in a bathtub.
Aurora stared at him with a small frown, looking confused as she asked, "You came back from a long journey. Don’t you think having a bath before sleeping is necessary?"
"My Love, I will have a shower, instead," Xander corrected as he rose to his feet. "And how would you do it with that?" She asked, pointing at his cast.
Xander followed her gaze for a moment before meeting her eyes. "I will manage somehow unless you want to help me which I wouldn’t mind." He winked.
"Come with me, I will get your clothes ready and help you out of your shirt." Aurora ignored his teasing and led the way to the walk-in closet. There, she selected a set of pyjamas before trying to help him out of his cast.
Xander flinched in pain as Aurora gently unclipped both straps of the arm sling before slipping the sling off. But when she cast her gaze on him, he quickly flashed her a smile.
"I know it hurts, no need to pretend," she said to him with slightly furrowed brows. Shifting her focus back to the sling, she asked, "So, what happened to your arm? What grazed you?"
Xander got tired of trying to hide the truth, and knowing that she wouldn’t stop asking until she got a befitting answer to the ideas in her head, he came out with the truth.
"A bullet."
As soon as the answer reached Aurora’s ears, her fingers paused and slowly turned to meet his gaze, her eyes wide in shock. "A bullet?" She asked. "Xander, a bullet grazed you and you are still smiling?"
"It was nothing. Really..." He tried to assure her, but she wouldn’t let it be. She started by asking him if he knew how dangerous a bullet was before going on to ask him why he would find himself in such a dangerous situation where a bullet would graze his arm.
"Xander, I don’t like that smile on your face. I’m saying something serious here, wipe it off!" She ordered, annoyed at his ability to make it seem like she was being paranoid for no reason.
Xander raised his left hand in surrender. "Okay, I will listen to you, but you just have to understand that I wasn’t in a dangerous situation. Also, this injury is so small that you wouldn’t even know it was a bullet that caused it."
"Really?" Aurora sneered, taking a step back.
"I’m serious," Xander insisted with a hint of genuineness in his eyes. "The doctor put my arm in a sling because he didn’t want me to make vigorous movement. Actually, the injury is on my right shoulder, and not on my arm. The doctor just wanted to exaggerate the situation and I couldn’t be bothered with him."
Aurora shut her eyes and took deep breaths, clenching her fingers by her side. "Xander, I don’t care if your injury is serious or not. I am worried because you were in a dangerous situation. What if the bullet had hit your vital organ, would you still have the confidence to speak?"
"Don’t worry, I am good at dodging bullets. None will ever get to hit my vital organ," He assured her, understanding her concern. "My years of training isn’t for fancy."
Xander’s words were supposed to placate Aurora and put her at ease instead, it did the opposite.
Aurora was so mad at him. How could he smile in such a serious situation and then tell her that he was good at dodging bullets knowing how worried she was about him? Wasn’t he indirectly trying to tell her that he would continue to get involved in more dangerous situations, but he would try to survive because he was good at avoiding bullets fired at him?
Aurora gnashed her teeth and wanted nothing more but to squeeze that mouth of his, but knowing that it would be disrespectful to do that to her husband, her gaze fell on his injured right shoulder.
It took only three seconds for her to arrive at the decision she made and without thinking twice, she punched him on his upper arm and instantly, a low painful groan escaped from his lips.
Xander clutched his arm immediately, lowering his gaze as he bit back a scream.
"Since an injury from a bullet grazing you is nothing, I figured you could take care of yourself." Aurora glared at him before storming off.
It took a short while before Xander lifted his gaze again. He slowly released his arm, a deep sigh escaping from his lips as he glanced at the door Aurora had left.
"At least you won’t get to see the tattoos so soon," he grumbled at his little win.
On the other hand, Aurora stormed back into their bedroom and couldn’t sit still. She was so mad at Xander that she couldn’t help pacing up and down.
"That idiot that thinks I’m a fool," she mumbled to herself through gritted teeth.
Aurora was aware that Xander had downplayed the seriousness of the danger he had been just so she wouldn’t have anything to worry about which she understood, but that was exactly what irked her.
Why wouldn’t he want her to worry about him? Wasn’t she his wife, or did he think she was a crybaby who wouldn’t know how to take news well?
She wanted to be there whenever he needed her, in sickness and in pain, in suffering and in joy. She wanted to be a good partner to him, but he seemed to think that she should only share the happy moments with him.
"What does he take me for? A side chick?" Aurora suddenly stopped and glared at the door leading to the bathroom and the dressing room.
Even though he had good intentions behind that act, Xander made her feel bad without knowing.
Chapter 67: Punished by The Heavens
Meanwhile, at the other end, Olivia was panicking after reading the article Tea Time Gossip Blog posted about her.
Apart from the blogger’s dramatic choice of words which almost gave her a heart attack, the screenshot of Owen making out with Casey in Susu’s Livestream video which was posted alongside the article, almost sent her straight into a coma.
"TEA TIME GOSSIP EXCLUSIVE
Bachelorette Betrayal: Olivia’s Fiancé Caught in a Scandalous Twist with Her Best Friend!
Hey, Tea Time Darlings!
Just when we thought we’d seen it all, another jaw-dropping twist lands right in our laps—Olivia Swift’s fairy-tale wedding plans have hit a serious snag. And no, this time it isn’t about her "Spraying Champagne." Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into the shocking scene that unfolded at her bachelorette bash!
Picture this: The night was in full swing at Olivia and Owen’s bachelorette party—champagne sprayed, influencers invited, and every romantic moment captured on camera. Olivia looked radiant, practically glowing in her custom gown as she toasted her dream wedding, surrounded by her closest friends and loyal followers. But who could have guessed that one livestream would reveal a scandal so spicy, that we’re practically fanning ourselves?
Yes, Darlings, you read that right! The excitement took a dark twist when Susu’s livestream inadvertently caught Owen locked in a steamy kiss with none other than Olivia’s best friend, Casey! That’s right—Olivia’s own bridesmaid and confidante was the woman caught in the act with her groom-to-be. Betrayed by her best friend, right in the middle of her last two nights as a single woman.
And, oh, the irony. Could this be karma snapping back? We all know the whispers about how Olivia "borrowed" her sister Aurora’s beau, Owen, and flaunted her engagement soon after. Now, it seems the universe is serving Olivia a taste of her own champagne—karma in a sparkling bottle if you will. Olivia’s sister, Aurora must be watching this unfold with a bit of satisfaction. Don’t you think?
So now the real question remains, lovelies: Will this wedding go forward? Will Olivia stick with the man who betrayed her with her own best friend, or is this the end of the Swift-Scott union before it’s even begun?
Let us know what you think in the comments below—is this wedding still on, or is Olivia about to face her biggest heartbreak yet? Stay tuned as we keep you updated on every juicy detail!
Until next time, stay Tea-tastic, Dearestsss!"
~Tea Time.
Olivia collapsed on the bed, her heart, wrenching in the pain of betrayal and disgrace as tears streamed down her eyes.
"Mum, you have to take care of this post before Dad sees it," she said to her mother as she clutched her chest, barely able to breathe. Although she knew that many people had already seen the post, and their tongues would continue to wag even if it was taken down, she didn’t care.
Stella tried a little breathing exercise to calm her nerves before speaking. "Emily, do you know the calibres of people I invited for your wedding and now this had to happen? I have never been this slapped in the face before, now look—."
"Mum, you have to get revenge for me. I can’t marry Owen!" Olivia shook her head in tears as she grabbed her mother’s hand. "I’d die of embarrassment."
Almost immediately, Stella flung her hand away. "Don’t you ever mention cancelling the wedding otherwise I will be forced to smack your face!" She threatened, meaning every bit of her word. "If you didn’t die of the embarrassment now, you can’t die from it on that day!"
"Mum," Olivia pleaded with her eyes, but Stella refused to listen.
"As for the revenge, be rest assured that Mum will help you get it," Stella promised and then turned to the servant. "Where is Adam?"
"Mr. Swift is in his study."
Stella nodded in understanding and snatched the tablet from Olivia’s thighs before handing it back to the servant. "You, take care of the article tonight and don’t think about sleeping a wink until all the posts and comments about this embarrassment are deleted. Censor the sensitive keywords about it as well. I will go to Adam to ensure he doesn’t see it."
The servant turned towards the door, but just as she was about to grab the handle, Adam burst inside in full rage. Clearly, it was too late to stop him as he had already seen the articles.
"Is everything I just read about Owen cheating on you at your bachelorette party, correct?" He asked, his tone menacing as his eyes narrowed into splints.
The servant took this opportunity to escape, leaving the family of three to it.
Olivia quickly wiped her tears, refusing to answer her father’s question. Her attitude only seemed to irk Adam further. Almost immediately, he took long strides towards her but Stella quickly stepped in front of him blocking his view.
"Adam, you need to calm down," she said to him, her brows furrowed in concern. "This isn’t any of our daughter’s fault."
"Of course, it is my fault!" Adam sneered, redirecting his gaze to her. "It is my fault for raising a daughter like her! Look at the kind of situation she brought upon herself. She got her sister’s man but couldn’t stop him from disgracing her publicly! If this isn’t the heavens trying to punish her for the evil she did, then I don’t have another explanation."
Stella exhaled sharply, clenching and unclenching her fists. Adam, I know you’re furious right now, but you need to place the blame where it belongs—on that Scott boy. No matter what Olivia might have done in the past, Owen’s actions have disrespected her and humiliated us both. Whether you supported their relationship or not, you’re still caught in this mess."
"Don’t you dare say that to me!" Adam warned, pointing a finger to her face. "And you," he said, stepping to the side to see Olivia’s face. "Don’t even think about cancelling this wedding. You will marry Owen just as you had fantasized, and I won’t ever caution or punish him for publicly embarrassing you!"
Chapter 68: Beholding His Naked Sight
Adam’s scolding left Olivia and Stella reeling as he stormed off, slamming the door behind him. Stella quickly regained her composure and picked up her phone, her gaze steely as she issued orders.
"If you spot Owen before the wedding, get some men to lure him into a fight. Give him a beating—but make sure his face is untouched. I don’t want the wedding photos ruined," she snapped. "And keep it out of the press. The last thing we need is another scandal."
The voice on the other end sighed. "Understood."
Olivia watched wide-eyed, shocked at her mother’s swift response. "Mum...what are you doing?"
"Taking revenge on your behalf." Stella shrugged without a care in the world. "Or are you feeling sorry for him already?"
Olivia turned away, crossing her arms defiantly, but her silence was enough.
"I thought as much," Stella commented.
Just then, the servant from earlier returned, looking tense. Stella turned to her without missing a beat. "Dig up any dirt you can find on Casey. And if there’s nothing...set her up and get something we can use to ruin her. I’ll tell you when to release it."
"Yes, ma’am," the servant replied quickly, eyes lowered.
Stella’s gaze sharpened. "And get those articles taken down immediately, but not before sending a link to the Scott family. Let them see what a mess their son has created; maybe they’ll finally stop acting so superior in front of me."
---
The Scott Family Residence.
When Owen’s parents saw the articles, their shock was immediate. A screenshot from the Livestream confirmed what they’d feared most, and Richard felt his face burn with humiliation. Anger took over as he marched to Owen’s room.
"What were you thinking, meeting another woman during your own bachelorette party?" he roared, finding Owen standing there in stunned silence.
Owen clenched his fists, having already seen his name trending online. He’d been hoping his parents wouldn’t notice, but here was his father, seething.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Richard demanded, and when Owen did not answer, he grabbed him by the shoulder, forcing him to face him before delivering a harsh slap. "You’re a disgrace to the Scott family!"
Just then, Patricia entered, taking in Owen’s stunned expression and the slap’s aftermath. "Richard," she said sharply, "the Swift family will have seen this by now. We must speak to them immediately and visit them first thing tomorrow morning. And Owen, you are coming with us!"
But Owen said nothing, his gaze cold as he moved to grab his phone and keys, ignoring his parents’ attempts to stop him as he stormed out.
Richard’s frustration spilt over, muttering, "I never thought I’d feel this ashamed of my own son. First, he dumped that good girl, Aurora, to chase after her sister, and now this..."
Patricia sighed, "He’s bringing us to ruin. I don’t know where we went wrong with him."
---
Xander’s Residence.
Meanwhile, as Xander was in the shower, Aurora hurried downstairs to ask Nene for the first-aid kit. But as soon as she arrived, Nene pulled her aside with urgency.
"Ma’am, it’s Mr. Scott’s nephew, Owen. He was caught cheating on your sister at their bachelorette party—two hours ago. The news is all over the internet."
Aurora paused, processing the shock. Owen, cheating on Olivia at their bachelorette party? She took the tablet from Nene’s hands with curiosity laced in her brows. "Let me see."
Nene handed her the tablet and guided her to the couch in the hallway close to the kitchen. "I will get the first-aid box while you read the articles."
Aurora’s gaze swiftly took in the Tea Time Gossip blog’s headline and stifled a chuckle, and as she read down the article’s content, she couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... Aren’t this couple funny? Hahaha..."
Aurora’s laughter echoed in the hallway, delighted not just at the karma but at the ridiculousness of the situation. It was the kind of scandal she never expected, with Owen caught not only by Olivia but on a Livestream with thousands watching.
"I need to thank Olivia when I see her for snatching a tall glass of red flag from me," Aurora chuckled to herself. "I can’t believe I cried over a man like this and almost embarrassed myself at their engagement party. God just saved me from an everlasting life of shame."
A permanent smile remained on Aurora’s face as she continued reading the last paragraphs of Tea Time’s post. She felt that the face behind the blog was so good at storytelling that she wanted to give her the flowers she deserved.
"Even I’m curious to know if the wedding is still holding, but I know it will." Aurora laughed again to herself.
Nene returned with the first-aid kit and handed it to her. "Thank you for letting me read such a juicy story," Aurora said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. "And save a copy, will you? I know my stepmother will try to have it scrubbed from the internet."
"I’ll do that right away, ma’am," Nene assured her with a smile.
With a satisfied smirk, Aurora turned to leave, already imagining Olivia in tears, Stella in a panic, and her father furious beyond words.
"This night will be long for some people," Aurora murmured, a smirk lifting her lips as she made her way up the stairs. Entering the master bedroom, she placed the first-aid box on the table in the sitting area, then headed to the bathroom, her footsteps soft. Pressing her ear against the door, she waited, listening for any sign of movement.
Silence.
She knocked lightly, but still, no answer. Curiosity piqued, she eased the door open, peeking inside. The bathroom was empty, and the steam from a recent shower barely dissipated. Puzzled, she closed the door quietly and turned toward the dressing room.
This time, she didn’t hesitate. She pushed the door open, stepping inside with confidence—only to freeze mid-step. Her eyes widened, and her breath caught in her throat, her pulse suddenly racing.
Xander stood with his back to her, his tall frame a striking silhouette against the soft lights. Black-inked tattoos, intricate and powerful, curved across his back and down his left arm. But it wasn’t just the inked designs holding her captive.
Xander was completely, unabashedly naked.
Aurora’s gaze darted to the toned lines of his back, then dropped as he raised a hand, rubbing cream over his face in a relaxed, oblivious manner. She sucked in a sharp breath, instinctively taking a step back, but the slight movement caught his attention. He paused, hand stilling as he looked at her reflection in the mirror.
For a split second, neither of them moved.
Chapter 69: A Little Romantic Moment
Aurora slammed the dressing room door shut, her heart hammering wildly. She rushed into the bedroom, feeling like her pulse was louder than her thoughts. She pressed her hands to her face as if that could somehow erase the image now etched into her mind.
"What did I just see?" she whispered, half in horror, half in disbelief. She forced herself to take a few breaths, but the more she tried to clear the memory, the more vivid it became—the unmistakable lines of tattoos down his back, his shoulders, and everything else she hadn’t expected to see. "I saw... him! And... everything!"
She dropped onto the bed, pressing her fingers to her temples in utter frustration. "And I didn’t even knock. Why didn’t I knock?" She bit her nails as she mentally scolded herself. "Aurora, what’s wrong with you? You knocked on the bathroom door—so why didn’t you do the same in the dressing room?!" She leaned back on the bed, sighing.
As she lay there, mortified, her mind raced with the thoughts of how Xander would never let her live this down. The smirk on his face when he came out was guaranteed. She was certain of it. "This man will haunt me with that smirk for the rest of my life," she muttered, pressing a hand to her flaming cheeks.
Moments later, Xander strolled out of the bathroom, dressed but casually leaving his shirt undone over his injured shoulder, giving no sign of embarrassment—just a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he watched her fumble to stand.
"Aurora," he said, his voice smooth and teasing, "are you ready to tend to my shoulder, or do you need more time to recover?"
Aurora straightened, determined to keep her composure, though her pulse quickened as she crossed the room to the first aid kit, focusing intensely on gathering supplies. She didn’t look at him directly, afraid that one glimpse of his smile would undo her.
"Sit still," she instructed, and he took his place on the couch, watching her as she approached. She soaked the cotton with antiseptic and gently dabbed his shoulder, trying to ignore the warmth radiating from his skin.
Xander winced slightly as the cotton touched his wound, but his gaze stayed locked on her face, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You’re avoiding eye contact. Did you... see something you weren’t supposed to?"
She stilled, but without looking at him, answered coolly, "There’s nothing unexpected in seeing my own husband, is there?"
"Oh?" His voice softened, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You’re absolutely right. Nothing unusual at all. In fact, I’m quite available anytime you’d like to repeat the experience," he teased, his eyes twinkling. "Or... I could wait. Next time we could shower together."
Aurora bit her lip, resisting the urge to roll her eyes or press his wound harder than necessary. She focused on securing the bandage in place, refusing to entertain his antics. But when she was finished and reached for the first aid kit to pack everything away, he caught her wrist, pulling her gently to sit on his lap.
Her immediate response to pull away faded as he leaned in, his voice a soft murmur against her ear. "I missed you," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin, "every day that I was away."
His words sent a thrill through her, and her resistance melted. She let him hold her, her hands resting against his shoulders, careful to avoid the wound. His hand drifted to her face, tracing her cheek before he leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was tender, yet stirred every thought from her mind but him.
Xander deepened the kiss, his hand slipping to her waist, drawing her closer as he whispered, "Do you have any idea how often you crossed my mind?"
Aurora smiled against his lips, and despite herself, allowed her hands to run gently over his shoulder, careful yet affectionate. "I... might have thought about you once or twice," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xander smiled. His free hand brushed along her cheek, then trailed down, toying with the buttons on her shirt.
Aurora inhaled sharply, her heart pounding as his fingers grazed her skin, each touch igniting a spark. She didn’t move to stop him, letting him continue, but as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, she felt a mix of excitement and concern.
"Xander," she whispered, her voice soft, "you’re hurt. We should wait until you’ve healed."
"I know," he replied, his breath warm against her skin as he continued his kisses. "But I can’t wait anymore." He cupped her face, his gaze intense, and leaned in to capture her lips again, moving with a gentleness that melted away her concerns.
Just as the atmosphere around them grew more intense, a soft knock echoed at the door, shattering the moment.
Aurora jumped up, her face flushed as she quickly ran away, unable to meet his amused gaze. Xander sighed, calling for the visitor to come in and Nene walked in with a medicine pack in her hand.
"Apologies for the intrusion," she said a soft smile gracing her face as she handed him a small pack of painkillers. "I thought you might need these, sir. They weren’t in the first aid kit."
"Thank you, Nene," Xander replied, amusement still glimmering in his eyes as recalled Aurora slipping into the adjoining room, clearly flustered. "And thank you for... interrupting a very special moment."
Nene’s brow furrowed in confusion before a look of understanding dawned on her face. She gave him an apologetic smile and hurried out.
When the door clicked shut, Aurora re-emerged with a glare. "Honestly, Xander, I have to thank you for being so shameless with your words. Can’t you be a little more reserved?"
He only shrugged, an unapologetic grin spreading across his face. "You know, I didn’t say anything wrong. I think Nene figured it out all on her own. She’s mature enough to know when she’s walked into something... interesting."
Aurora groaned, her cheeks flushing, and turned away, muttering under her breath. "It’s your ego that needs healing, not your shoulder."
Xander laughed, reaching for her hand. "Oh, but it’s much more entertaining this way, don’t you think?"
Chapter 70: He Wanted Her Hands Elsewhere
The heavy bass of the club pounded around Owen as he downed his third drink, his gaze dark and unseeing as he sat isolated at the bar. When he finally slid off his stool to head for the restroom, a tall man appeared suddenly in his path, making him stumble.
"Watch it," Owen snarled, a bit of his drink splashing onto his shoes. "You don’t know who you’re dealing with."
The man raised an eyebrow, smirked, and stepped aside without a word, letting Owen stumble past him toward the restroom.
Inside, Owen splashed water on his face, oblivious to the group of men quietly filing in behind him. One checked the stalls, each door slamming with an ominous echo as they ensured the restroom was empty. Satisfied, they exchanged brief nods and fanned out, cutting off any escape.
"What do you want?" Owen muttered irritably, catching sight of their reflections in the mirror.
The men spread into a half-circle, one stepping forward with a mocking smile. "Just here to teach a lesson in manners," he sneered.
Owen scoffed, turning away dismissively, but before he could respond, the man by the door locked it with a resounding click. In an instant, the first punch crashed into Owen’s side, doubling him over. He gasped, clutching his ribs, barely recovering before a second blow struck his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
Owen threw a drunken punch, missing by a mile, and the men laughed, grabbing his arm and twisting it back. Each hit was brutal, calculated, and merciless, avoiding his face but leaving his body aching and bruised.
"You think you’re untouchable, don’t you?" one of them sneered, wrenching his head back to meet his glare. Owen sputtered weakly, but another punch to his gut made him double over, collapsing to the floor with a groan.
A moment later, the door swung open, and the men walked out, adjusting their jackets as if nothing had happened. Inside, Owen lay on the cold tile, clutching his ribs, his breaths shallow as he struggled to move.
~***~
Xander’s Residence.
The next morning, sunlight streamed softly into the bathroom as Aurora and Xander stood side by side in front of the mirror. They brushed their teeth in comfortable silence until Xander leaned over to peck her cheek, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Could you give me a massage?" he asked with a pleading look. "My back’s killing me."
Aurora narrowed her eyes, studying him sceptically. "Are you sure you just want a massage?"
"Absolutely." Xander put on his most innocent expression. With a small sigh and an amused smile, she agreed.
Once back in the bedroom, Xander removed his shirt and lay face-down on the bed. Aurora grabbed a mint herbal oil and knelt beside him, rubbing her hands together to warm it. She began at his shoulders, smoothing the oil along the length of his back, her gaze catching on the intricate tattoos woven over his skin.
"You know, you look like a gangster with these," she murmured.
Xander chuckled, a deep sound vibrating through his chest. "You think so?" He knew she would comment on them once she saw them.
"Mm-hmm. Why did you suddenly get them?" she asked, trailing her fingers over the swirling patterns.
"It was for my role in the last mission," he answered, refusing to give more details.
Her fingers paused momentarily. "Are they permanent?"
"Technically no. They can be lasered off anytime I want, but after the pain I went through to get them, I plan to enjoy them a bit longer."
Aurora shook her head slightly, smiling as she continued working out the tension in his muscles. She noticed him relaxing under her touch, his breathing growing deeper and more even.
"Mmm," he murmured, his voice heavy with contentment. "You know, I need your hands... in other places."
Aurora smirked, playing along. "Other places, like your eyes and nose?"
Xander let out a low laugh, knowing he’d been caught. But he couldn’t resist pressing his luck. "No, lower... I mean, just a bit further down—"
With a swift smack, she slapped his backside, raising an eyebrow. "Behave if you want this massage to continue."
Xander’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, but he obeyed, settling back down, and let her work on his back with her firm yet gentle touch. Minutes passed as Aurora kneaded his muscles, her fingers pressing down in slow, circular motions that left him practically melting under her care.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and Liam entered with an apologetic expression. "Mr. Scott, Mr. Moore has come to see you. He’s waiting in the sitting area."
Still sprawled out, Xander raised an eyebrow. "Asher? At this hour?"
Aurora quirked a brow, smiling knowingly. "Maybe your best friend missed you."
Reluctantly, she removed her hands, and he groaned lightly in protest. She chuckled, patting his shoulder. "Go take a shower while I go downstairs to greet him. Don’t take too long."
With one last glance at her, Xander sighed and got up, resigned to getting his day started but already looking forward to the next time he could coax her into a massage.
---
The Scott Family Residence.
At the same time, the atmosphere in Adam and Stella’s living room was tense, charged with unspoken judgments as Owen’s parents, Patricia and Richard, sat across from them. They each wore expressions of forced composure, visibly uncomfortable with what they’d come to do.
"We’re here to apologize for Owen’s actions," Patricia began, glancing at her husband as if for encouragement. "He was... very drunk and confused. He’s been disciplined and understands the gravity of what he did. He won’t make that mistake again."
Stella scoffed, folding her arms as she leaned back. "Disciplined, was he?" she asked icily, her gaze sharp. "Tell me, then—where is he now? Your son should be the one here apologizing to us. After all, he’s the one who humiliated my daughter in front of everyone."
A silence stretched between them, Patricia exchanging an uneasy glance with Richard before speaking. "We intended to bring Owen, but... he’s sick," she said, the excuse weak even to her own ears. "We didn’t want to delay our apology, so we came without him."
Owen’s parents were shocked to see he was beaten up badly when they went up to his room that morning, so how could they have brought him along in that horrible state he was in?
Stella’s lips curled into a mocking smile, barely concealing her satisfaction as she recalled the report from her men about the ’lesson’ Owen had received the night before. She knew exactly why he hadn’t come.
"Sick, is he?" she replied. "It should be Olivia who’s ill, shouldn’t it? She’s the one whose fiancé made a fool of her, publicly no less. Or did Owen catch a sudden ailment of conscience?"