Connor's eyes narrowed, tossing the divorce agreement onto the table.
He lit a cigarette and blew smoke toward Aurora's face, staring at her through the haze. "You've taken your little game too far," he sneered.
It didn't make sense to him that she would settle for just a clean split and nothing else. He thought this agreement was just a game to threaten him. He knew Aurora loved him. She would never leave him. Plus, her family's company would never let her go through with a divorce.
Aurora clenched the blanket next to her, locking eyes with Connor. She spoke slowly and firmly,
"I only want a divorce. I'm not plotting anything. I've given back everything I owe you."
'I don't love you anymore…"
Her words were a mixture of sadness and determination. She didn't explicitly say it, but Connor somehow knew the hidden meaning underneath.
It was… affecting him. More than he'd care to admit.
Something was wrong.
He took a step forward, pinning her with his intense gaze. He lifted her chin with his fingers, blowing smoke in her face, making her turn away and cough.
He smirked and grabbed a pen from the table. "You really think I won't sign it?"
She coughed, tears welling up in her eyes, but she quietly watched him sign his name.
"You better not regret this."
He wasn't going to let her have her way.
After it was signed, he tossed the divorce agreement to the floor. Then he pulled a card from his wallet and threw it at Aurora.
"Consider this compensation for your…" He paused, his frown deepening. "…hardships this past year."
With that, he slammed the door and left. He rarely spent the night here.
The bedroom fell into complete silence.
Aurora clutched the card with trembling hands, her eyes turning red.
She bit her lip, tears streaming down her pale face.
The pain in her heart was unbearable.
She touched her belly, curling up on the bed, and sobbed till her throat hurt.
A while later, she gathered her strength, packed a few clothes, and booked a flight abroad for the next day.
She had loved Connor for two years. Sometimes she hated him.
But now, it is all over.
That night, Connor stayed in an apartment near his company. The next day, he drove to the mansion after finishing work.
Today was the day he and Aurora were supposed to visit Connor's grandpa, Sir King. However, when he arrived at the mansion, he couldn't find her anywhere.
He asked the maid, "Where's Mrs. King?"
She hesitated, looking at Connor cautiously before answering, "Mrs. King hasn't arrived yet. Should I call her?"
"No need." He dismissed her, then walked into the house. He paid no mind to Aurora's absence, assuming she would show up eventually.
After retiring from the King Group, Sir King fell in love with gardening. When Connor walked in, he was watering the plants in the yard.
When saw Connor, Sir King glanced behind him and his face. suddenly darkened. "Where's Aurora?"
"I don't know," Connor answered nonchalantly, "But she was with me at the apartment last night."
Connor had already pushed the divorce agreement out of his mind.
"You Idiot!" Sir King scolded.
In Sir King's eyes, he knew that it had to be his idiot grandson's fault that Aurora, who usually arrived early with bundles of carefully prepared gifts, hadn't appeared.
Not wanting to scold his grandson in front of others, he ordered sternly, "Come with me."
Then the two of them entered the study together.
"So you're the reason for that scandal?" Sir King looked at Connor with a gloomy expression.
Confused, Connor asked, "What scandal?"
Sir King tossed his phone at Connor and snapped, "Take a good look!"
Connor took the phone.
He saw a trending headline that read:
[ Award-winning Actress, Avery 's Mysterious Boyfriend Revealed, and It's Him!]
The photo that came with the news showed Connor and Avery dining together a few days ago. The paparazzi managed to capture them at an angle that made it seem like they were kissing passionately. But in fact, Connor had only been helping her keep her balance.
Connor tried to explain, "This is nonsense."
"Have someone delete this Twitter post as soon as possible," Sir King demanded, "This scandal damages Aurora and the Baker family's reputation. What will people say about her?"
His face darkened as he asked, "What does it have to do with her?"
"I know what you're thinking! Don't try to fool me again!"
Grabbing the teacup in his hand, Sir King threw it at Connor.
Connor dodged the cup, and it shattered into pieces on the floor.
Sir King growled, "Avery will never marry into the King family! Over my dead body! Don't be as ungrateful as your father!"
At the mention of his father, Connor's stoic expression finally dropped, his eyes going down to the floor. He muttered, "I won't."
Sir King's face softened slightly. After discussing other matters, Connor left the study.
He called his assistant, Jack, and instructed, "Take down the post on Twitter."
Then he drove back to the villa.
As he entered, he saw a woman in a Baker dress with her back to him.
'Hm… Must be Aurora. Sure enough, what she said was just to threaten me and get me back to her.
Connor cleared his throat, put on a faint smile, and then sarcastically remarked, "Thought you said you were leaving. Couldn't resist coming back?"
The next second, the woman turned around.
It wasn't Aurora.
With her face beaming with joy, she walked towards him, exclaiming, "Connor!"
"What are you doing here?" Connor' eyes widened in puzzlement.