Aurora sat quietly in the garden, her hands gently resting in her lap as she stared at the flowers blooming around her.
Memories of last night and the dinner flooded in, angry but glad that she atleast got somewhere with daemon, she hated that she had to give him her body.
It was a peaceful afternoon, but her mind was far from calm. Pretending to be weak, acting like her old self, was exhausting. But she knew it was the only way to get what she wanted—revenge.
Just then, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Tristan walking toward her, his face filled with concern. Aurora smiled softly.
Tristan had always been there for her, ever since she ran away to Sweden. He was like the light in the dark, always ready to support her, even when things got rough.
"Aurora," Tristan said as he approached, sitting down on the bench next to her. "I'm worried about you. You shouldn't be here with him."
Aurora sighed. She knew he was worried, but this was her choice. "I'm fine, Tristan. I have to do this. You know that."
Tristan shook his head. "I know, but it's not safe. Daemon... he's dangerous. You can't trust him."
Aurora looked away, her eyes distant. "I don't trust him. That's why I'm pretending. He doesn't know what's coming."
Tristan's expression softened, but there was a hint of frustration in his eyes. "I just... I hate seeing you like this. You deserve so much more than this game you're playing with him."
Before Aurora could respond, she heard the sharp sound of footsteps approaching.
Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up and saw Daemon standing there, his face hard and unreadable.
He glanced between her and Tristan, and Aurora could see the jealousy burning in his eyes.
"What's going on here?" Daemon's voice was cold, and it sent a chill down Aurora's spine.
Tristan stood up, his face full of anger. "Just checking on Aurora. Unlike you, I actually care about her."
Daemon's eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer to Tristan, his towering figure casting a shadow over him. "Stay out of this, Tristan. Aurora is my wife. Whatever happens between us is none of your business."
Tristan didn't back down. Instead, he crossed his arms and glared at Daemon. "It's my business when you fail her like you did before. Where were you when she needed you? Huh? Off with some other woman, ignoring her, treating her like she didn't matter?"
Aurora watched the two men, her heart racing. She didn't like where this was going.
Tristan was right, but Daemon wasn't the type to back down easily.
Daemon's jaw clenched, and his fists tightened at his sides. "That's the past. She's my wife, and I'll handle things with her. You have no right to come here and act like you're part of this."
Tristan stepped closer, his voice low and sharp. "I have every right because I *love* her. I've been there for her when you weren't. I've seen her pain, her struggles. You don't deserve her."
Aurora's eyes widened at Tristan's words. He had said he loved her before, but hearing it now, in front of Daemon, felt different. It felt... dangerous.
Daemon's face darkened, and he stepped even closer to Tristan, his voice like ice. "You think you love her? You don't know her like I do. She's mine, and nothing you say or do will change that."
Tristan didn't back down, his hands balled into fists. "She's not yours to control anymore, Daemon. She's stronger than you think, and she deserves better than this."
Aurora stood up, her voice trembling as she stepped between them. "Stop it! Both of you!"
The tension in the air was thick, and Aurora could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
She didn't want this to escalate.
Not now. Not when she was so close to getting what she wanted.
"Daemon, Tristan, please," she said, her voice soft but firm. "This isn't helping."
Daemon's eyes flicked to her, and for a moment, she saw something in his gaze—something softer, something she hadn't seen in years.
But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the cold mask he always wore.
"Stay away from him, Aurora," Daemon said, his voice low and dangerous. "He doesn't belong here."
Tristan scoffed, shaking his head. "And you think you do? After everything you put her through?"
Daemon's eyes flashed with anger, but before he could say anything, Aurora stepped forward. "Enough! Tristan, please go. I'll be fine."
Tristan hesitated, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Then, with a deep breath, he nodded. "Fine. But if anything happens, I'm coming back. You don't have to face this alone, Aurora."
Aurora gave him a small smile, grateful for his concern. "I know, Tristan. Thank you."
As Tristan walked away, Daemon's eyes stayed locked on Aurora.
She could feel the intensity of his gaze, the jealousy still simmering just beneath the surface.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Aurora," Daemon said, his voice quiet but full of warning.
Aurora met his gaze, her heart pounding. "I know."
Daemon took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "Tristan doesn't belong in our lives. You're *my* wife. Don't forget that."
Aurora clenched her fists at her sides, fighting back the urge to snap at him. She had to keep playing her role, pretending to be weak. "I won't forget."
Daemon stared at her for a long moment before turning and walking back toward the mansion, leaving Aurora alone in the garden, her mind swirling with emotions.
She had come so far, but she knew the hardest part was yet to come.