~ Aurora ~
After exactly one week, I pulled up to the front of Daemon's house, my heart racing with a mix of dread and determination.
The triplets—Leocardius, Lysander, and Leonardo—were in the back seat, their faces scrunched up in confusion at the sudden trip abroad.
Despite their bewilderment, they remained happy as long as they were with me, their mother.
As I stepped out of the car, I took a deep breath, scanning the mansion.
Everything still looked very much the same—opulent and cold, just as I remembered.
Daemon had probably told his family I was coming back, as I could see through the glass walls that they were all gathered inside, waiting for me.
Their gazes settled on me, a mixture of shock, curiosity, and hostility.
There was Daemon, the man who had once been my husband, and then I spotted Mason, my brother-in-law, his usual creepy grin making my blood boil with rage.
I willed myself to remain calm. I wasn't that fat, meek Aurora anymore; I was different now, and I wouldn't go back.
I took Leocardius and Leonardo's hands, gripping them tightly while Lysander held onto her brothers' small hands in her cute black dress, I walked toward the door with a confidence I had never possessed before.
As I pushed it open, the room fell into a stunned silence—shock, awe, confusion.
I wasn't fat anymore.
I wasn't ugly anymore.
I wasn't meek and obedient anymore.
I was different, and they could see it.
Their gazes skidded from me to my kids—beautiful, smart children who were mine.
My kids stood tall with indifference, confidence, and a fierceness that mirrored their mother's, mines.
Daemon was the first to break the silence, his voice calm but tinged with disbelief. "Are these my kids?"
"Do you see any other kids here?" I retorted, the words sharper than I intended.
He frowned, as did his mother, Collete, who glared at me in a mixture of rage and excitement, unable to hide her desire to hold her grandchildren.
Before anyone could say another word, Leora, the youngest, moved first.
She came over to me and wrapped her arms around me, catching me off guard.
Flustered, I momentarily forgot my resentment.
'Yes, she was the only one who wanted me in this family,' I thought as I let go of Leocardius's hands and wrapped an arm around Leora's back.
"Hello, Leora," I managed, forcing a tight smile.
"I'm so glad you're back, Aurora," she whispered, pulling away and standing beside Leocardius.
I took a deep breath and looked directly at the rest of the family, my resolve hardening. "It won't be for long."
Daemon's frown deepened, confusion clouding his features.
Why was he frowning? I hadn't even begun.
Collete hissed at me, her voice dripping with disdain. "Aurora, have you lost your manners? You come back home after running away for five years, and you act rude to your in-laws, to your mother-in-law. Don't think I won't scold you."
I smirked, leaning into my newfound confidence. "First of all, this is not my home. My home is in Sweden. Second, you're not my mother-in-law anymore. I'm no longer your son's wife; I'm his baby mama."
Pure rage flashed across Daemon's face, just as it did Collete's.
Ivelle and Iliana looked shocked that I could say such a thing.
"Aurora," Daemon growled, his voice low and dangerous. But I didn't care.
"Is this what you've become now, a whore? You steal my grandkids and run away with them for five years, and now that they've grown, you've turned them against me!" Collete yelled, her fury palpable.
"Mother," Daemon interjected, a warning lacing his tone.
"I'm not a whore, or do you question the origin of your grandkids? Be careful; I don't think Daemon will like that," I said, the tension in the room thickening.
"These children are mine. I raised them for five years. They go wherever I go. Besides, my kids are smart; they know who their mother's allies and enemies are."
This time, Mason spoke up, his smug look irritating me. "It seems you've grown wings. Have you forgotten who you really are?"
I turned to him, my eyes flashing. "The Aurora from five years ago is dead. I personally looked in the mirror and stabbed her to death. The Aurora standing in front of you is different. She's powerful, so talk to her with respect."
I shifted my gaze back to Daemon. "If this is the hostile home I'm bringing my kids to, I will leave and never come back."
"Everybody shut the fuck up!" Daemon's voice rose, cutting through the chaos in the room.
"Good." I smiled, feeling the thrill of power. "Also, I want 5% of the Caelestis-Medallion Empire shares."
Gasps filled the room, their wide-eyed expressions confirming my expectations.
Opinions broke out, loud and accusatory, but they were worthless. I was bargaining with the final decision maker.
"What? That wasn't the agreement, Aurora," Daemon growled, frustration seeping through his words.
I chuckled, reveling in my triumph. "There was no agreement, darling. If you can't give me that..." I paused for effect, letting my words sink in, "I want a divorce."