Chapter 18

“It has nothing to do with her.”
Aurora rubbed her reddened wrist, tears slipping down her cheeks.
It was true-Eleanor had nothing to do with the kidnapping. And honestly, she couldn’t blame Eleanor for what happened to the child, either.
But every time Aurora thought about her husband spending an entire month by another woman’s side—and even hanging up on her desperate call for help, as though she were just an inconvenience her heart ached painfully.
She simply couldn’t let it go.
Daniel and Eleanor-she hated them both.
No one spoke on the drive home.
When they arrived at North Manor, Aurora headed straight upstairs to rest without
a word to anyone.
After a nap, she felt a little better.
By the time she’d washed up and come back downstairs, the housekeeper had already set the table for dinner and even brought out a bowl of nourishing soup, mentioning—almost wistfully-that Daniel had asked for it, praising what a thoughtful husband Aurora had.
Aurora ate in silence.
The chair across from her slid back. Daniel sat down.
He’d changed into comfortable loungewear, his cold and distinguished manner undiminished. Those long, elegant fingers picked up a fork and set a piece of fish on Aurora’s plate.
“Eat a little more,” he said. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ.net
He sounded as gentle as ever, but to Aurora, it all felt like a hollow performance.
She ignored the fish and sipped her soup in small, deliberate mouthfuls.
Daniel frowned. In the three years they’d been married, Aurora had always been gentle and compliant-never once had she thrown a tantrum like this.
He didn’t know how to handle it.
Maybe, he thought, being Mrs. Chambers had spoiled her, made her prideful, so now her temper was impossible to placate.
“Take a few days to rest at home,” he said. “Go back to the office when you’re feeling better.”
Aurora set her spoon down and leveled a cool gaze at him. “I know. The Almanac of Air is at a critical stage.”
The Almanac of Air was Chambers Group’s flagship perfume project of the past three years. They’d already launched eight seasonal scents, and the market response had been excellent.
As head of R&D, Aurora had given everything to this project.
Even though she hadn’t fully recovered, she was determined to get back to work as soon as possible.
Besides, she needed a change of scenery-a distraction.
Daniel put down his fork and said flatly, “I’ve arranged for Eleanor to join the development team.”
The color drained from Aurora’s face. She shot to her feet. “What did you say?”
“Eleanor trained in fragrance design with Ms. Catherine abroad for three years. Now that she’s back, I want you to mentor her.” Daniel’s tone was calm, but it was clear he wasn’t asking-he was announcing a decision.
“You know I don’t like her,” Aurora shot back.
Something flashed in her eyes, and her lips curved in a cold, direct question: “So when she’s done proving herself, are you planning to have her take my job as director, too?”
“Aurora, can’t you stop being so hostile toward her?” Daniel sounded genuinely puzzled. “Eleanor’s only ever tried to get close to you and you keep pushing her away.”
Aurora gave a chilly little smile, her eyes glinting with bitterness. “If it weren’t for her, you and I would never have crossed paths in this lifetime.”
Eleanor had run away from her own wedding, forcing Aurora to take her place- ruining Aurora’s entire life.
And just when Aurora had finally come to terms with her marriage and tried to make it work, Eleanor waltzed back in and instantly captured Daniel’s heart.
Three years of effort turned into a cruel joke.
Daniel’s brow furrowed, his voice lowering with irritation. “I’ve already told you— there’s nothing between me and her. She’s just back to start her career, and I’m helping her out, that’s all.”
“When she’s settled, I’ll keep my distance from her.”
He meant it as a promise.
Aurora didn’t believe a word. She tapped her fingers on the table, her tone steady and unwavering. “If you want her on the development team, I won’t allow it.”