Ch. 71..75: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 71-75

Chapter 71: When She Needed Him the Most

Patricia’s face flushed, and she tried again. "We... understand how difficult this is for you and Olivia, and we’re very sorry. It’s just... we hope that you’ll forgive him. He truly regrets—"

"Oh, I don’t see any remorse at all," Stella interrupted sharply. "You expect me to believe he’s sorry when he didn’t even come by yesterday to apologize to my precious daughter? She cried her eyes out over the betrayal he brought into her life. But you and your son, meanwhile, seem content to wait this out and carry on as if nothing happened. I am not seeing your family’s sincerity considering we didn’t call off the wedding."

Richard cleared his throat, adjusting his posture as he tried to smooth the exchange. "Owen’s actions were wrong, and he’ll answer for them. I give you my word, Stella. He’ll be made to understand that such a thing will never happen again."

Adam, who’d been listening in silence, suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "And how do you plan to ensure that, Richard? The wedding is tomorrow, isn’t it?" He let his words hang, and before Richard could respond, he continued, "Listen closely. I won’t allow any man to mistreat my daughter. If Owen dares to hurt her again, then trust me—I’ll be the one disciplining your son on your behalf."

Stella’s eyes flickered with satisfaction at Adam’s direct warning, a subtle smile tugging at her lips. It was a far cry from his indifference of yesterday. She had hoped he’d take a stand, and here he was, putting the Scott family on notice in no uncertain terms.

"Understood," Richard nodded in agreement. He stayed back with his wife for a bit, offering more comforting and reassuring words. He also asked to see Olivia before leaving, a request, Adam reluctantly granted out of the respect he had for the Scott family.

Even Patricia who didn’t like Olivia normally felt pity when she saw the dark circles under her eyes. But she still felt that Olivia deserved the embarrassment for dating her sister’s ex-boyfriend.

---

Xander’s Residence.

Xander entered the sitting room, freshly dressed, only to have Asher immediately rush over and seize him by the shoulders, holding him at arm’s length with an anxious look in his eyes.

"I heard you were shot!" Asher exclaimed, eyes narrowing with concern.

Xander muttered under his breath, "Liam, that blabbermouth." Pulling himself free from Asher’s grip, he settled into a nearby chair, and Aurora, seated across from them, watched their exchange with an amused smile. She loved their friendship.

Asher wasn’t done; he followed Xander to where he sat. "At least let me see it. How bad is it, really?"

Xander scoffed, brushing him off. "For heaven’s sake, it’s just a scratch. Besides, I’d rather avoid my wife fussing over me again."

Seeing Xander’s resistance, Asher finally relented, taking the seat next to him.

Just then, Aurora’s phone rang, and seeing it was a Facetime request from Abigail, she stood up with a polite smile. "You two carry on," she said, giving Xander’s shoulder a light squeeze as she left the room. "I’ll be back in a bit."

As soon as Aurora was out of earshot, Asher leaned forward, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. "All right, Xander, just how dangerous was this mission for you not to reach out a few times?"

Xander shrugged, though the shadows in his eyes revealed more than he intended. "A little more complicated than expected," he replied, shrugging off the rest.

Asher shook his head. "Well, you’d better thank me for stepping in to help your wife when she needed you the most. You should have seen her."

Xander’s brow furrowed, curiosity piqued. "Help my wife? What are you talking about, Asher? Did something happen to her while I was gone?" He inquired, recalling Aurora’s reaction when he pointed out her weight loss.

A subtle tension settled between them. Asher paused, realizing that no one had filled Xander in since his return. With a sigh, he began explaining. "While you were away, Nene called me, worried about Aurora. She’d gone home that weekend and... returned shattered. It turns out she discovered Adam isn’t her biological father."

Xander’s hand tightened around the arm of his chair, his gaze turning darker.

Asher continued, "I brought Abigail to stay with her for comfort, but when we arrived, she was in rough shape. Fragile, pale, and even fainted and had to take drips before she was stable. It was serious, Xander."

Xander clenched his jaw. "So, you and Abigail stayed here?"

"Yes, overnight," Asher replied with a faint smirk. "Had to stick around and keep an eye on Abigail too—couldn’t exactly trust her not to cross boundaries."

Xander sat in silence, processing it all, his anger at the situation visibly mounting. "No one thought to tell me any of this," he finally muttered. Without waiting for Asher’s answer, he turned to the hallway and called for Nene.

Moments later, Nene entered, her expression cautious.

Xander wasted no time. "Nene, tell me why you didn’t mention what happened to Aurora while I was away."

Nene took a slow breath before answering, "Sir, I was waiting for the right moment. You’ve barely been apart from her since you returned, and I didn’t want to spoil the time you two finally had together. Ma’am looked so happy..."

Xander’s stare was unyielding, but he nodded. "Fair enough. Now tell me everything. I want the details."

Nene explained every event that had occurred, down to the message Aurora received from Adam, the promise he’d made to reveal her biological father’s identity if she attended the wedding tomorrow. She ended with a faint shrug, adding, "I think Ma’am didn’t mention it because of your recent return. And she’s likely waiting to see if Mr. Swift will follow through."

Xander’s expression softened, but his voice remained firm. "Nene, have Liam prepare a suit for tomorrow’s wedding."

Nene nodded, excusing herself to find Liam.

Once she was gone, Xander turned to Asher, his expression finally relaxing. "Thank you, Asher," he said earnestly. "For looking after my wife."

Asher waved him off with a grin. "What are friends for, anyway?"

Chapter 72: A Well-Deserved Karma

Aurora stepped onto the sunlit patio and settled into a chair, accepting Abigail’s Facetime request with a warm smile. "Good morning, Abby!" she greeted, relaxing against the cushion as she held the phone.

"Good morning, Aura! It’s so nice to see you," Abigail replied with a grin. "So, the last time we spoke, you were signing with my producer, remember? I just wrapped up filming on that project, and your champagne is in five scenes. Can you believe it?"

Aurora’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Five scenes! Abi, that’s incredible. Thank you so much! This is going to be huge."

Abigail beamed. "It’s going to be amazing once it premieres. And your champagne is gorgeous on screen, so it’s bound to draw attention. Plus, the sales are bound to skyrocket, girl!"

"I know!" Aurora said, giggling like a little girl who had just been handed her favourite ice cream flavour in an ice cream cone.

Just then, Abigail’s eyes narrowed with a hint of mischief. "But you’ve got to tell me—aren’t you lonely in that big mansion all by yourself? And what about your husband? Doesn’t he miss you enough to want to come back from his business trip yet?"

Aurora felt a twinge of guilt. She’d told Abigail Xander was on a business trip when in fact, the truth was far more complex, involving classified missions and his secret identity. "Actually, Xander got back last night," she said, managing a smile.

Abigail raised an eyebrow, her smile growing wider. "And? How do you feel about him being home?"

Aurora’s smile softened. "Relieved... and happy. I missed him."

"Hmm, missed him, did you?" Abigail teased with a knowing grin. But then her tone shifted, and she said, "And speaking of husbands, did you see Tea Time Gossip’s article about Owen and Olivia?"

Aurora’s smile grew wry. "I did. Though Stella has already scrubbed it from the internet, Wing City’s still buzzing about it."

Abigail chuckled. "Oh, karma works fast! Olivia never saw it coming—her big day ruined by her own fiancé and with her best friend no less. We need to make a billboard out of this and not just headlines in gossip articles. This news needs to be specially broadcasted for everyone to see."

Aurora shook her head, an amused glint in her eye. "Honestly, I found out about Owen’s cheating long before this. Remember when we were at BST Mall for that movie? I spotted him with some mystery woman. But to openly cheat with her best friend, right on the night of their bachelorette party? Honestly, I badly want to know what gave him the guts."

Abigail laughed, her tone edged with satisfaction. "What else was Olivia expecting when she had no qualms about stealing someone’s boyfriend? Honestly, it’s just what she deserves, and I hope she gets more in the future."

Aurora agreed. Letting out a soft sigh, she said, "I’m only grateful Olivia took him off my hands; otherwise, I wouldn’t have met someone a thousand times better than him. So in a good way, I owe her my dutiful thanks."

"Speaking of that ’someone better,’" Abigail teased, leaning in closer to her phone’s camera. "I can’t wait for the day Owen finds out you’re married to his uncle. He’ll probably hit his head against the wall. Imagine the kind of look that would grace his face."

Aurora laughed, picturing the moment. "It’ll be quite a shock, won’t it?" She laughed harder, the corners of her eyes, curving into a crescent moon. "I think I will tell Xander to make Owen call me, Aunty when that happens."

Abigail burst into a deep throaty laughter, throwing her head backwards. "I didn’t know you could be this merciless."

"Don’t underestimate me," Aurora said, wiping the tear that popped from the corner of her eyes.

Abigail’s laughter gradually died as her expression turned thoughtful. "So, are you going to their wedding tomorrow?"

"Yes, I am," Aurora admitted. "My father promised to reveal everything about my birth father if I go."

Abigail’s smile faded with concern. "Do you trust him?"

Aurora’s expression softened, her voice calm. "I do. My father has kept his promises before. I believe he’ll keep this one too. He has no choice unless he wants to shatter the last of the trust between us."

Abigail sighed with relief. "Then good luck, Aura. I hope you get the answers you deserve."

Just as they were wrapping up, Abigail’s face brightened with curiosity. "Oh, before you go, could you let me say ’hi’ to Xander? He needs to know that you still have someone like me and a reminder that I was in the picture long before he appeared."

Aurora rose, heading back inside, with an amused smile. "Of course. He’s with Asher in the living room. They’re probably..."

As soon as she mentioned Asher’s name, Abigail’s eyes widened in alarm. "You know, on second thought, just give Xander my regards."

Aurora chuckled, fully understanding. "Will do. And thanks again, Abby."

Back in the living room, Nene had arrived to announce that breakfast was ready. Xander took Aurora’s hand, guiding her toward the dining table with Asher following behind.

As they took their seats, Aurora leaned in, smiling at Xander. "Abigail sends her regards."

Xander gave a slight nod, a smile touching his lips. "I would have liked to speak to her, and thank her for keeping you company while I was gone."

"Maybe next time," Aurora replied. "She is a little busy today."

Asher scoffed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "No. I bet she just ducked out because she must have found out I’m here."

Aurora and Xander exchanged a quick knowing glance before chuckling. They both knew Asher was right.

After breakfast, Nene came to take Aurora away for her dress fitting, while Xander took Asher to his study to talk about the details of his last mission.

In her large dressing room on the ground floor, Aurora went through the dresses in the clothing rack in front of her before making a pick.

"I think I will go for this coffee brown dress, and I would like to pair it up with gold accessories," she said to Nene.

Chapter 73: A Heartfelt Congratulations

In the dimly lit dining room, Aurora carefully placed her wine glass down, watching as Xander moved his injured shoulder slightly while reaching for a glass of water. It made her brows knit in concern.

"Are you really going to the wedding tomorrow?" she asked, her tone soft but worried. "With your shoulder not fully healed... you know you shouldn’t be doing anything to strain it."

Xander offered a reassuring smile. "I’ll manage. I won’t be lifting anything heavy or making vigorous movements. I promise."

She didn’t look entirely convinced. "I don’t need any activity causing more pain in that shoulder. But it’s obvious that you won’t be able to avoid it." Sighing, she added, "Who knows how many handshakes you will have to give."

Xander replied, setting his glass down, "I can’t avoid the handshakes, but I can make them subtle. Also, I’m Owen’s uncle, and I have to show up since my aged parents won’t be showing up."

"Your parents won’t be attending the wedding?" Aurora asked, raising a questioning brow.

Xander shook his head. "They’ve heard about the fiasco Owen caused, and they’re not coming because, as my mother put it, they’re ’too old for gossip and shame.’ They won’t have any part in that circus."

Aurora tilted her head, absorbing this. "So, you’re going to represent them?"

"Kind of, although my older brothers will be in attendance," he said with a faint smirk. "And it wouldn’t be good to vanish from the public eye for too long either. People might start suspecting that I’m not just a regular businessman."

Aurora gave a small nod, recognizing his point. "That makes sense... Just be careful. With the press there, it’ll probably be a lot of moving around."

"I’ll be careful," he promised, reaching across the table to place his hand over hers.

They finished their meal in companionable silence. But as Xander pushed his plate aside, his gaze lingered on her. "Sweetheart, I heard about everything that happened while I was away. Why didn’t you tell me?"

Aurora’s expression softened. "I wanted to focus on enjoying your return," she said. "I didn’t want to weigh you down with it, especially since I only have half of the story. My Dad promised to tell me everything tomorrow, so I thought it best to wait until I had the full picture before I told you."

Xander sighed, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he nodded, his hand warm over hers. "Alright. I’ll wait to hear everything after tomorrow."

---

The next morning, Aurora joined Xander for breakfast before heading to her dressing room downstairs to prepare for the wedding. As the makeup artist dusted her cheeks with a subtle shimmer, the hairstylist gathered her hair into a sleek ponytail, letting it fall in a soft wave down her back.

Finally, she stepped back to look at herself in the mirror. The coffee-brown dress, hugging her curves and finishing with a single, elegant long sleeve, was perfectly complemented by gold jewellery and matching stilettos. She tilted her head, admiring the way the outfit brought out her best features.

Just then, Xander entered, his proud smile reflected in the mirror as he approached. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his lips brushing her bare shoulder.

"You’re stunning," he whispered, his voice warm against her skin.

Aurora smiled, a hint of colour rising in her cheeks. She turned to face him, reaching up to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Thank you," she murmured, then quickly picked up her gold clutch and slipped from his grasp with a playful smile. "I’ll see you at the wedding."

Xander chuckled as he watched her stride out, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

---

Arriving at her family’s residence, Aurora was greeted by the butler. Her heels clicked softly as she followed his guidance through the lavishly decorated hallways of her family’s estate. She paused in front of Olivia’s door and knocked twice before letting herself in.

Inside, Olivia sat on the couch in her wedding gown, a fitted, jewel-encrusted creation with a sweetheart neckline, her hair pinned meticulously in an elegant updo. Diamonds glittered around her neck and on her fingers, framing her face.

She looked every inch the bride, though her fingers nervously played with the edge of her dress. The moment she noticed Aurora, her expression hardened, and she squared her shoulders, as though refusing to show any hint of unease.

"Congratulations on your wedding to Owen," Aurora began, a smile softening her voice. "Wishing you both a happy marriage."

Olivia’s eyes narrowed. "And what exactly are you doing here, Aurora?" she snapped. "Come to gloat?"

"Not at all," Aurora replied coolly as she took the couch across from her. "I genuinely came to wish you happiness. Though... truth be told, I do wonder if you’ll find it with Owen."

Olivia’s lips tightened. "And what’s that supposed to mean?"

Aurora’s eyes sparkled with feigned innocence. "I thought you’d know. The entire city certainly did, after your fiancé’s... display with your best friend at the bachelorette party." Her voice was filled with a cutting sweetness, and she watched with hidden satisfaction as Olivia’s face darkened. "I always knew Owen would stray, but I never imagined it’d be so public, and so soon."

"Shut up," Olivia hissed, her fists clenching. "You’re only bitter because I took him from you."

Aurora laughed, the sound cold and clear. "Oh, Olivia," she murmured. "You didn’t take anything from me except a burden. I couldn’t be more grateful that you removed someone as faithless as Owen from my life." She shrugged lightly. "You can try to take what I don’t want, but you’ll never come close to taking what actually matters to me."

Olivia’s eyes burned with rage. "You’re just jealous," she seethed. "I’ll always take what’s important to you, no matter what it takes."

"Keep trying," Aurora countered with a soft, knowing smile. "Though, all you seem to be able to grab are the things I’d already discarded. I think that’s quite fitting." Her voice lowered. "Look at what your life has become since you ’won’ Owen."

"You little—" Olivia’s voice broke with fury as Aurora’s words hit with painful accuracy.

Aurora simply raised a brow. "I only came to thank you. Really. Because of you, my eyes opened to see the little shit he was." Her smile was smug, leaving no room for argument.

Just then, the door opened, and Stella stepped in, her silver gown glinting as her gaze flicked sharply between Aurora and Olivia. Her brow knit in a mixture of surprise and irritation.

"What are you doing here, Aurora?" Stella’s voice was clipped. "I didn’t think you’d show up after the fight with your father."

Aurora rose gracefully, smoothing her dress with an air of composed defiance. "Well, I didn’t exactly come here to attend Olivia’s wedding." Her eyes held Stella’s with an edge. "But while I thought to offer my heartfelt congratulations to her, I also came to find out the identity of my biological father which you two know very well about."

Her smile faded as her words hung in the room, and Stella’s face stiffened, her shock barely concealed.

Chapter 74: A Complicated Situation

Olivia’s heart skipped a bit, her face almost revealing the truth. She was so shocked by Aurora’s statement that she nearly forgot how to react.

Soon, Stella recovered, especially after seeing that Olivia’s facial expression was about to betray them. But it was a good thing that Aurora had her back turned to her otherwise, she would have quickly caught on.

"And what makes you so certain," Stella began, her voice laced with a cool edge, "that my daughter and I know anything about your biological father?"

Aurora crossed her arms, her gaze piercing. "Simple. You two knew that Adam wasn’t my biological father and kept it from me, using it to justify your treatment of me. If you knew that much, I have no doubt you also know who my real father is."

Stella raised her hand, effectively silencing her. "Enough with these accusations, Aurora. Your mother and Adam were secretive back then, and I happened upon the information by accident. I didn’t know who your father was beyond that—why else would you still be here? If I knew where you belonged, I would have sent you there long ago."

Aurora crossed her arms, studying Stella’s face as she weighed her words. "Really?"

"Believe what you want, but do you honestly think if I knew your father’s identity, I wouldn’t have sent you to him myself?" Stella’s confidence radiated through her voice, and Olivia, sensing her mother’s control, seemed to regain her own composure.

"Do you really believe," Olivia interjected, her voice sharp, "that Mother and I enjoy your presence in this house? Fighting over Dad’s inheritance isn’t exactly my idea of fun. If we’d known who your father was, we’d have had you out of here long ago. Don’t imagine we had a choice."

Aurora turned slowly, her gaze bearing down on Olivia, probing for any hint of deception. Olivia’s glare met hers, though she faltered ever so slightly under the scrutiny. Stella, recognizing the threat of Aurora picking up on Olivia’s discomfort, stepped in.

"If you want answers about your biological father, go straight to your father and leave us out of it," Stella said curtly. "Frankly, I’d be relieved to see you gone from this family once and for all."

Aurora’s jaw tightened as she unfolded her arms, standing taller. "This is where I belong. Dad married my mother and gave me his name, which makes me as much a Swift as any of you. Don’t ever tell me I don’t belong here."

Stella’s face tightened in irritation, clearly not expecting such a challenge. "And who told you that makes you an actual Swift? Won’t you want to return to your ’real’ father once you know who he is?"

Aurora scoffed. "Did I ever say that?" she retorted with a fierce gaze.

"Then what are your plans?" Stella inquired, with genuine concern in her tone as Olivia lifted a questioning brow. They both wanted to know what Aurora’s plans were concerning her biological father’s identity as it would determine the next step in their plans.

Aurora’s plans might affect their plans, so they tried to sound her out. Unfortunately, they failed.

"You don’t have to know my plans," Aurora sneered. "You only need to know that I am Dad’s daughter and a child of the Swift family. Nothing about my identity will change with a biological father in the picture, so you and your daughter can stop plotting to send me away."

After insinuating each word for the mother and daughter pair to understand, Aurora gave them one last look before walking away. As soon as the door shut with a thud, Stella found herself a seat across Olivia.

"Mum, what do you think Aurora plans to do?" Olivia questioned with slightly furrowed brows. "From everything she said just now, she came to find out about her biological father’s identity. But what is this that she’s saying about remaining Dad’s daughter even if she learns the truth?"

Stella clasped her fingers together, clearly disturbed. "Don’t listen to her statement. She spoke that way because she didn’t know the kind of person her biological father was. Wait until she learns the truth, then she will see how much better he is than your father."

"But what if she wants to rip from both her biological father and then my Dad?" Olivia asked, her brows constricted in a deep frown. "That girl can be greedy enough to want to benefit from both sides."

Stella sighed and thought for a moment before speaking, "That is not important. What is important is that your sister doesn’t find out the truth." Standing to her feet, she continued, "I think that she must have spoken to your father and come to some kind of conclusion before attending your wedding."

"Mum, you are right." Olivia agreed solemnly. "Aurora would never come to my wedding, especially after the fight with Dad. Dad might have agreed to tell her the truth, therefore, the reason she is here."

Instantly, Stella’s gaze darkened. "I won’t let this happen. I’m going to stop her." With that, she left the room and hurried down the hallway, asking the servants where Adam was while praying in her heart that she get to him on time before he spills the secret to Aurora.

Meanwhile, Aurora wandered down the corridor, finally spotting Adam in a private sitting area with a few guests. After greeting him and his guests politely, she gave a small nod, indicating her wish to speak with him alone.

When they stepped aside, Adam’s face softened. "I’m glad you came, my daughter. It means a lot to me to see you here."

Aurora’s face remained serious. "I didn’t come to chat, Dad. I came because you promised to tell me everything today."

Adam sighed. "Aurora, this is neither the time nor the place. Things are more complicated than you realize. After the wedding, come to my study, and we’ll discuss everything."

She raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?"

Hidden behind a nearby pillar, Stella strained to listen, her heart pounding.

Adam’s voice dropped, his expression grave. "Your birth father is dangerous. There’s more to him than anyone could imagine. I want you to be prepared for what you’ll learn. I brought you here to fulfil my promise, and I intend to tell you everything."

Aurora’s gaze didn’t waver. "Then just tell me his name now, and you can explain the rest later."

Nearby, Stella’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the pillar, fighting back a surge of panic.

Chapter 75: A Crumbled Vow

Adam met Aurora’s piercing gaze, and for a moment his lips moved as if to begin, but he hesitated. Finally, he let out a long sigh, his expression heavy with the weight of what he was about to reveal.

"Tell me," Aurora pressed, her eyes unwavering, refusing to let him back away this time.

Adam opened his mouth again. "Your father is the ma—"

Before he could finish, Stella’s voice rang out from across the hall, cutting through the moment like a blade. "Adam! Where have you been?" Her tone was sharp with urgency as she approached them briskly, her eyes flicking suspiciously to Aurora. "The priest has arrived. We need to greet him together so the ceremony can begin."

Adam shot Aurora an apologetic glance. "We’ll continue this after the wedding, I promise," he said hurriedly before moving to follow Stella.

Aurora took a step forward, reaching for his arm. "Dad—" she called, but he was already gone, Stella at his side, her back rigid as if defending her retreat. Aurora could only watch them disappear, her hopes of clarity retreating with them.

Frustrated, and resolving to keep her calm, Aurora smoothed her dress and, taking a steadying breath, made her way through the house to the outdoor venue.

Guests milled about, their laughter and greetings mingling with the soft, ocean-scented breeze. She caught sight of the Scott family gathered by the entrance, including Owen and his parents, as well as Xander and Asher, who had arrived together.

She approached Owen, whose discomfort was palpable despite his attempts at formality. His usually smooth confidence was noticeably absent, and he looked away, as though avoiding any challenge her presence might pose. She met his gaze with a steady smile, extending her hand in greeting.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Owen. I’m genuinely happy for you and Olivia," she said, her voice pleasant and warm, though her eyes held a glimmer of mischief.

Owen hesitated before taking her hand for a brief shake. "Thank you," he replied shortly, withdrawing his hand and shifting uncomfortably. His bruised pride—and perhaps other bruises as well—seemed to weigh heavily on him, casting a shadow over what should have been a triumphant day.

Owen’s face tightened, likely knowing that Aurora must have seen the scandal that still lingered online. But he turned to his parents, cutting the interaction short. "Mum, Dad, let’s head in. I don’t think the priest should be kept waiting."

With that, his parents offered Aurora a strained but polite nod before they moved ahead, with Owen following shortly behind, though not without a word to Xander. "Uncle," he said, glancing back.

Xander nodded. "Go on. I’ll be right there."

As Owen strode away, Aurora turned to Xander, her voice light but loaded with irony. "Mr. Scott, your nephew doesn’t seem too thrilled about marrying the love of his life."

Xander chuckled. "Mr. Scott, is it? I thought I was your husband."

Aurora smirked. "Outside the walls of your villa, you’re Mr. Scott to me—my ex-boyfriend’s young and rich billionaire uncle."

Xander chuckled, glancing at Asher, who couldn’t suppress his laughter. "As long as you acknowledge I’m young and rich, I suppose I’ll survive the formality."

"Shall we?" Aurora gestured, leading the way with Xander and Asher in step beside her. They followed a path lined with roses and flickering lanterns toward the altar area, which overlooked a pristine stretch of coastline.

As they approached the sea-view terrace, Aurora’s heels clicked against the marble floor, the sound blending with the ocean’s rhythmic murmur. Rows of seats framed the aisle, each occupied by guests awaiting the start of the ceremony. The altar was a vision of white roses, eucalyptus leaves, and ivy cascading down the columns that stretched toward the sky.

"Are you upset that I’ve kept our marriage under wraps?" Xander whispered in a voice that only Aurora could hear.

She didn’t break her stride, her voice steady. "Did I ever say I was?"

"Not directly. But your attitude says a lot." Xander gave her a sidelong glance, a faint smile in his eyes. "Once your father tells you what you want to know, I’ll meet him officially. Then, we’ll make the announcement."

Her gaze remained forward, though a hidden smile softened her lips. Xander didn’t notice, but she relished the moment as they reached the seating area before parting ways.

Just as they settled in, the live band began playing a soft, melodious tune, and all eyes turned to the end of the aisle. Owen appeared first, his steps steady but stiff as he moved toward the altar. His expression was a hollow mask, his mouth a thin line, while his gaze remained fixed on the floor ahead of him.

Aurora watched, her lips curving into a smile that held more satisfaction than joy.

Moments later, Olivia emerged on Adam’s arm, radiant in a fitted, jewel-encrusted gown that sparkled under the soft light. Her hair was pinned back in a sleek updo, while an elaborate diamond necklace adorned her neck. Despite her elegance, Aurora noticed Olivia’s rigid posture and the slight twitch in her hand, where her fingers gripped Adam’s arm tightly.

As they approached the altar, Adam placed Olivia’s hand in Owen’s with a quiet, unreadable expression before retreating to his seat.

Soon, it was time for the personal vows, each one written in their own words, meant to solidify their promises before family, friends, and—today—prying eyes.

Owen went first. His best man handed him the carefully folded pages he’d prepared weeks in advance, then retreated out of view. Owen cleared his throat, his expression strained but determined as he met Olivia’s eyes.

"Olivia, I’ve been in love with you since the first time I laid eyes on you," he began, voice soft but steady. "The journey to finally getting your attention wasn’t easy, but every moment was worth it... I don’t regret a single second." His voice rose with what he thought was sincerity as he continued. "We understand each other in ways I never thought possible. Today, in front of our family and friends, I promise to always love and protect you... to treat you right, now and always."

For nearly three minutes, he continued reading his lengthy, carefully penned vows. He ended with a final, "I love you," letting out a sigh of relief as he folded his papers, clearly pleased with his own words. A round of applause rippled through the crowd.

Then it was Olivia’s turn. Her chief bridesmaid stepped forward, passing her the neat sheet of paper containing her vows. But Olivia’s hand closed around it, crumpling the page in her fist without a second thought. A collective gasp echoed through the guests as her fingers tightened around the paper, crushing it as she turned to face Owen.

For a moment, she said nothing, only holding his gaze in a silence that felt too heavy, too loaded. Then she spoke, her voice cold but laced with a strange, mocking warmth.

"Owen, I know exactly how much you love and care for me," she began, pausing to let the words hang between them. Her eyes narrowed, a faint glint in them as she continued, "So I’ll get straight to the point. Today, in front of everyone—our loved ones, and the priest here to unite us—I promise to return every affection you show me, every single one, a hundredfold."

A stunned silence fell over the guests, then soft murmurs of confusion and surprise began to ripple through the crowd.