Chapter 57

Information flooded the internet like a tidal wave.
Aurora sat up in her hospital bed, eyes fixed on the television as an interview with Eleanor played.
Eleanor was dressed head to toe in a crisp white suit, her long black hair now styled in soft waves. She radiated confidence and poise, her whole presence bright and untroubled.
When asked a pointed question by the reporter, Eleanor paused thoughtfully before replying, “Aurora and Dan are already married. There’s no need to dwell on the past. None of us want to take up too much public attention-please look forward to our upcoming fragrance launch instead.”
Her answer was flawless.
But to anyone watching, it confirmed the gossip: Aurora had come between Eleanor and Dan.
Not long ago, the internet had been awash in sympathy for Aurora. Now, that pity had turned to white-hot outrage.
Every detail of Aurora’s life was dragged into the spotlight. Her social media accounts overflowed with vicious insults and slander.
Even Grandma Grace didn’t escape unscathed-strangers accused her of failing as a guardian, blaming her for Aurora’s supposed character flaws.
Aurora had braced herself for this, but still, fury made her entire body tremble.
No one was allowed to speak about her grandmother that way. Grandma Grace was the best person in the world, and Aurora would never forgive anyone who smeared her name.
Determined, Aurora logged into her public account, ready to set the record straight about her marriage three years ago.
She hadn’t stolen anyone’s fiancé. Eleanor had abandoned Dan and walked away from their engagement. Aurora was only a pawn, a convenient solution for the Quinn family to shore up their alliance.
But before she could post the truth, Daniel arrived.
The first thing he did was take her phone. He saw the drafted message,
unfinished and unsent, and let out a sigh of relief-he couldn’t have made it more obvious.
He powered her phone off and put it in his pocket before finally turning to her. “Aurora, I’ll hang onto your phone for now.”
Aurora stared at him, her face expressionless. She held out her hand. “Give it back.”
Instead, Daniel reached for her hand, holding it tightly, his voice low and coaxing. “Aurora, let’s not look at what people are saying online, okay?” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
A bitter, mocking look flickered in Aurora’s eyes. She pulled her hand free from his grasp, her eyes filling with angry tears.
“Daniel, why?” she demanded, voice raw and broken. She needed an answer.
It was his and Eleanor’s actions that started all this, but somehow Aurora was the
one thrust into the spotlight, the one forced to pay the price.
Did he really see her as nothing more than a convenient shield for Eleanor?
“Aurora, I know you’re hurting. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
Daniel pulled her roughly into his arms, as if he could somehow anchor her to himself, keep her from slipping away.
Aurora struggled, fists pounding against him, but he refused to let go.
In the end, she broke down in his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
Daniel tilted his head back, eyes red with grief.
He took her back to North Manor.
He never did return her phone.
At home, Daniel helped her settle onto the sofa in his study, handling her as if she might shatter.
He gestured to the bookshelf, now lined with new titles. “You love to read, don’t you? I had someone find all these books for you. Take your time, enjoy them while you’re here.”
Aurora’s expression didn’t change. She looked at him coolly, her voice flat. “So, what, you plan to keep me locked up here forever?”
He would do it, she realized. For Eleanor, he’d do anything.
Daniel sank to his knees in front of her, his voice hoarse. “Aurora, the title of Mrs. Chambers will always be yours. No one else’s.”
But to Aurora, his words were empty, cold as stone.
He could promise her the title for a lifetime, as long as it kept his beloved Eleanor free to shine in the world outside.
But Aurora didn’t want to be Mrs. Chambers anymore.
She leaned forward, her swollen eyes burning with hatred. “You’d better keep me locked up forever, Daniel. That’s the only way you’ll get what you want.”