CHAPTER 10A

Aurora's uncle, Thomas, had taken her in after she survived the car crash that claimed her parents. Yet, despite being her uncle, he had never treated her as his own blood. Instead, she felt like a burden his family had reluctantly taken upon themselves to maintain their image in the media and society.

In public, they put on a façade of smiles and adoration, but behind closed doors, she was treated as an outcast, subjected to mistreatment. She even needed makeup to hide the handprint on her cheek from the recent incident.

Aurora closed her eyes, seeking refuge from her demanding family. Her dry lips were moistened as she licked them, and she focused on the small, worn bathroom where she stood.

Taking a breath, she began counting to ten, her steady inhales and exhales forming a simple rhythm. It was a way to calm herself amidst the turmoil. With each counted breath, she found a brief escape from the chaos outside the bathroom door.

This simple act helped her gather the strength needed to face the relentless demands of her family.

Today was the day she would marry a man, not just any man but a notorious stranger with a playboy reputation that sent shivers down her spine. A wave of anxiety tied knots in her soul.

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, determined to find the strength to face this daunting day head-on.

With her eyes squeezed shut, she took a slow, deliberate breath, the air filling her lungs like a lifeline. It was a moment to gather herself, to steel her resolve, and find the strength to endure the challenges of the day ahead.

Marriage had never been part of Aurora's dreams. Fading memories of her parents' love lingered in her mind, painting a picture of an idyllic relationship. She could still feel the genuine affection that had existed between them—the way her father's eyes had lit up whenever he looked at her mother, the warmth in their hugs, and the tenderness of their kisses. They were unquestionably soulmates, and their love had radiated through every glance and touch.

As Aurora contemplated her impending marriage to a man she barely knew, a torrent of emotions swirled within her. She couldn't help but wonder if the profound love and deep connection she had witnessed between her parents would ever be a part of her future with this enigmatic man.

Weddings were supposed to be joyous occasions, a celebration of love where two souls merged in holy matrimony, bound by vows to love and cherish one another. It should have been a romantic fairy tale with a handsome Prince Charming. But it was just that – a fantasy.

Aurora's impending wedding felt nothing like a romantic dream; it was a harsh and painful reality. She was a survivor, someone who had endured so much in her life.

Her thoughts meandered back to Sandra's cutting words, casting a chilling shadow over her optimism.

'Just because you're getting married to Xavier Knight doesn't change the fact that you are nothing. You'll always be unwanted, first by us and now by Xavier. Mark my words'

Tears welled up in Aurora's eyes as she wondered if Xavier would treat her with the same disdain. Would she find herself unwanted, without love from her future husband? The uncertainty weighed heavy on her heart, and she closed her eyes, her mind a whirlwind of doubts and fears. Nevertheless, she resolved to face life one day at a time, no matter what hardships lay ahead.

Aurora stepped away from the door.

The night had been long and difficult, and a demanding day awaited her.

Turning towards the grimy mirror, she studied her own reflection. Her eyes, red from holding back tears, told a story of emotional turmoil that she had grown all too accustomed to.

She sighed heavily, it was's the day she had dreaded, the day she wished she could skip, but she couldn't.

She closed her eyes tightly, took in a deep breath, and willed herself to find the strength within.

As she stood there, the words "C-come on A-Aurora, stay s-strong" reverberated in her mind, a self-imposed mantra to bolster her spirit. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she moved away from the chipped mirror, discarding her clothes with a sense of resignation.

Stepping into the rickety shower, she turned the water on and braced herself. The initial icy jets sent a shockwave through her body, causing her to flinch and sending shivers racing down her spine. Aurora's palms pressed against the cold, unforgiving tiled wall as she waited, her heart yearning for warmth. This makeshift space adjacent to the kitchen was a stark departure from the comforting embrace of a modern bathroom with its reliable boiler. Here, her only beacon of hope was the sun's warmth, and she clung to the fragile wish for a hot day to come.

With a silent plea, she willed the water to embrace her with its heat, and in her vulnerability, Aurora epitomized a determination to endure life's challenging hand.

When the water finally turned warmer, it felt like a lifeline to her chilled body. The initial pain gradually subsided, and she let out a sigh of relief. The memories of her parents' loving relationship floated through her mind.

Even though time had started to blur the details, she could still recall the deep connection they shared. They were soulmates, and thinking about their enduring love helped calm her racing nerves.

Struggling to find her breath, she took slow, deep inhales, trying to calm the anxious energy that surged within her. She knew this was a pivotal moment in her life, and the weight of it pressed down on her like a leaden cloak.

The impending marriage loomed large in her thoughts, casting a shadow of dread that crept through her being. She could feel the onset of a full-blown nervous attack, an unsettling wave of anxiety that threatened to engulf her completely.

You can do it. Your a survivor

She focused on her breathing, counting silently in an attempt to find some inner peace.

Breathe Aurora Breathe

One...

Two...

Three...

Four....

Five...

Once her nerves had settled, she reached for the soap and lathered up the sponge. She swiftly washed her body, cleansing herself of the weight of her worries. Moving on to her hair, she applied the shampoo and followed with conditioner.

With both her hair and body cleaned, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her body.

Aurora stood in the semi-warm shower, but the warmth couldn't reach the icy core that seemed to encase her entire body. Trembling, she raised a hand to the fogged-up mirror and wiped away the steam. Her reflection stared back at her, her wide eyes filled with apprehension.

She closed her eyes, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions, and silently whispered a plea to God, seeking strength beyond her own.

Finally Aurora stepped out of the shower, feeling a wave of warmth engulf her as she wrappedatowel. Drops of water clung to her glistening skin, trailing down her body in shimmering rivulets. She wrapped the towel around herself, creating a cocoon of comfort and modesty.

With her wet hair clinging to her back, Aurora made her way towards the box that Thomas had given her earlier in the morning. It sat there alone on a stool, in the far corner of her bathroom, adorned with a worn out satin ribbon, a mysterious and foreboding presence in the dimly lit bathroom. The box's lid beckoned to be lifted, concealing its secrets, and she couldn't resist the urge to unveil what it held.

She untied the ribbon with trembling hands, her heart pounding as the knot finally gave way. Slowly, she lifted the lid, revealing the contents within. Her eyes widened, her lips parting in astonishment as she gazed upon the delicate lace and Swarovski crystals adorning her mother's wedding dress, lovingly preserved for this day. The dress seemed to shimmer and come to life, a silent reminder of her mother's own journey into matrimony.

In the midst of the turmoil surrounding her own wedding, the sight of her mother's dress evoked a bittersweet mixture of emotions. Her heart ached for the loving mother she had lost and the profound love she once held in her family.

Aurora couldn't help but reach out and gently run her fingers along the intricate lace, feeling a deep connection to the woman who had once worn it, her mother.

As Aurora comtinued to contemplated her impending marriage to a man she barely knew, a feeling of despair gnawed at her soul, threatening to unleash a desperate cry she held back with all her might.

She held the dress to her face, hoping to catch a lingering trace of her mother's scent.

A tear escaped her eye, followed by another, until a stream of tears flowed down her cheeks. The scent was faint, but it was there, and she clutched the dress to her chest as if embracing her long-lost mother.

"I m-miss you s-so m-much," she whispered to the memory of her mother