The Academy Awards were in full swing, the air electric with excitement as stars from all over the world gathered at the grand venue.
Red carpets unfurled, flashing lights captured the essence of fame, and a hum of anticipation filled the space.
Among the crowd, Aurora stood out like a jewel in the sea of glitz and glamour.
She was draped in a sleek, deep emerald dress, its color rich and vibrant, flowing elegantly with every step she took.
The dress hugged her curves, accentuating her every move, with its soft shimmer reflecting the lights, causing heads to turn, and whispers to spread.
Lucas couldn't take his eyes off her. His heart stirred, the mate bond pulling at him, even stronger tonight.
He had told his lawyer to hold off on finalizing their divorce, though Aurora didn't know.
He couldn't bring himself to divorce her, to let her slip away completely.
The thought of losing her forever gnawed at him.
What he didn't know was that Aurora had done the same.
She had told her lawyer to delay the process, unsure of her lingering feelings and overwhelmed by their bond even though they had separated.
As Aurora walked toward her seat, Julia spotted her.
With a smirk, she pushed out her chest and strutted toward Aurora, her eyes gleaming with malice.
"Well, well, look who it is," Julia sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "You may have humiliated me at the boutique, but tonight will be different. Just you wait. I've been announced as a nominee, and I have a higher chance of winning. I've got the cash, which you don't. All you can do is leech off rich men, exploiting their wealth. Soon, Lucas will be mine—fully mine."
Aurora chuckled, her eyes filled with confidence. "Good luck with that, Julia."
Before Julia could retort, the host announced that the awards ceremony was about to begin.
Everyone took their seats, anticipation building as the night moved closer to the moment they were all waiting for—the announcement of the winners.
The presenters came on stage, one after another, announcing categories: Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Animated Short, and more.
Then came the category for Best Documentary.
Sophia, who had only come to support Aurora, glanced up idly, uninterested in most of the categories—until she heard the announcement.
"And the winner for Best Documentary goes to… Documentary About Witches, directed by Hades Grey!"
Sophia's heart stopped. She almost choked in shock.
Hades Grey?
Her documentary?
She hadn't published it yet!
The last time she saw Hades was when she left his mansion—she hadn't spoken to him since.
No contact, no communication. It couldn't be.
Sophia's body went cold as she broke into a sweat, trying to convince herself it was a mistake, maybe another documentary.
But as Hades stood, walking to the stage to accept his award with a smug smile, she knew.
This was her work. He had stolen it.
Her fists clenched tightly as her mind raced back to the night he had asked her to stay at his mansion.
Her fists clenched tightly as her mind flashed back to that fateful night at his mansion.
He had invited her to stay, his arms wrapping warmly around her waist, his voice laced with concern for her safety.
She had assumed it was a gesture of affection, a sign he was rekindling their romance.
"He wants me back," she had thought, her heart skipping a beat.
But now, the memory taunted her, revealing its true intent.
It was all a ruse.
He hadn't wanted her heart or her body; he had wanted her work.
The realization dawned on her like a cold dawn, chilling her to the core.
His words echoed in her mind, laced with deceit: "It's late, and I don't want you going back alone in the dark. You'll be safe here."
The memory seared her with anger, now knowing his true intentions.
As she gazed out at the sea of applauding faces, her eyes locked onto Hades, who stood confidently on stage, accepting the award.
His gaze flickered towards her, their eyes meeting for a fleeting moment before he looked away, his expression unreadable.
But she saw through it.
Rage coursed through her veins like liquid fire, fueled by the realization that his charming words had been nothing more than a clever ruse.
"He didn't want me safe," Sophia thought, her mind seething. "He wanted my work, my ideas."
The audience's applause and cheers seemed to fade into the background as her focus narrowed on Hades, her anger boiling over.
How could she have been so blind?
Hades didn't even have the decency to face her.
More awards were announced, but Sophia barely registered them, too consumed by her anger.
Meanwhile, Julia sat confidently, waiting for the one category she had been waiting for: Best Main Actress.
She glanced at Aurora, smirking, certain that the victory was hers.
The tension in the room grew as the moment finally arrived.
"And the winner for Best Main Actress is… Aurora Grey for "—"
Julia's smirk faltered, her face going pale as Aurora's name echoed through the hall.
Aurora Grey?
Her mouth dropped open in disbelief.
Aurora Grey?
That couldn't be right.
How could Aurora win with such a low-budget film?
Julia almost laughed out loud, her mind trying to catch up with the reality that was unfolding.
She blinked, certain she was dreaming. There must be some mistake.
Lucas, too, was taken aback.
Though he had voted for Aurora and pushed hard for her to succeed when he found out she was nominated, he never expected her to win.
Yet here she was, called up for the award.
And… Aurora Grey?
His heart skipped a beat. He had never known that Aurora was connected to that name.
Aurora stood, smiling confidently, as she made her way to the stage.
Julia, still frozen in disbelief, looked like she was about to faint.
It was impossible. Aurora had somehow outshone her, despite everything Julia thought she knew.
Ava and Sophia, who had been sitting beside Aurora, clapped enthusiastically, happy for her.
Even though Sophia's frustration with Hades simmered beneath the surface, she forced herself to celebrate her friend's moment, burying her personal conflict for the time being.
Lucas, still processing the revelation, calculated everything quickly in his mind.
Aurora Grey—was it possible she was related to Hades?
His mind raced, piecing together fragments of information.
Had Aurora been hiding her identity this whole time?