Now, sitting in the living room, they were back to discussing it again, like old times, only this time with much higher stakes.
"I really hate this," Aurora muttered, pacing in front of the couch. "I don't want to bow down to Daemon. Pretending to be weak... it's humiliating. He'll think I'm still that insignificant girl."
Emily leaned back, arms crossed. "Who said you have to bow down to the whole family? It's just Daemon you need to focus on. The rest of them don't matter right now."
Aurora stopped pacing and glanced at her friend. "I know, but Daemon is always on guard now. He knows I've changed. I'm not the scared girl he used to control."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "That's why you have to act like the old Aurora. If he thinks you're still weak, he'll drop his guard. You've got to make him believe it."
Aurora groaned, running a hand through her hair. "But I've changed too much. I don't know if I can do it."
Emily got up and stood in front of her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Aurora, you survived all of this. You got out. You raised three kids on your own. You're strong, but you need to use that strength to play the game. Be nice to Daemon. Make him think you're still the same. Then, when the time comes, you'll crush him."
Aurora nodded slowly, though her stomach churned at the thought of pretending to be weak again. "Fine. I'll do it. I'll make him think I'm weak."
Emily grinned. "That's my girl. You've got this." She glanced at the time. "I've gotta head out, but text me if you need anything. You've got this, Aurora."
After Emily left, Aurora stood in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
The weight of the plan hung heavy on her, but she knew she had no choice. This was the only way.
She made a beautiful dish, set the table with candles, and created the perfect atmosphere for the evening.
When Daemon walked through the door, he looked exhausted. He stopped when he saw the candles and dinner. "What's all this?"
Aurora forced herself to smile shyly. "I... I thought we could have dinner together. I wanted to apologize... for everything."
Daemon raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. "Apologize? For what?"
"For everything I've done," Aurora said, trying to sound small. "I just want things to be like they used to be."
Daemon stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "You expect me to believe this? You, acting all nice and sorry? What's your angle?"
Aurora swallowed hard, keeping her eyes low. "No angle. I just miss how things were."
Daemon smirked. "You miss being gentle, huh? Being my little obedient wife? I don't buy it."
Aurora forced herself to stay calm, even as her anger simmered beneath the surface. "I just want us to be okay again."
Daemon leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You really think I don't see through this act? You're not the same. I can see it in your eyes."
Aurora held her breath, her heart racing, but she kept her voice soft. "I'm sorry."
Daemon's smirk widened, and before she could react, he grabbed her and kissed her roughly. His hands moved over her body, possessive and unrelenting.
"Daemon—stop," Aurora whispered, her voice trembling, but he didn't.
His grip tightened, his kiss deepening. She clenched her fists, hating every second, but she knew she had to keep playing the role. She had to stay in control.
Finally, he pulled back, his eyes cold and calculating. "You really thought you could fool me, didn't you?"
Aurora stayed silent, her head bowed, her hands shaking under the table. This was just the beginning of her plan.