Kane’s words hung in the air between us, his knowing smirk making my blood run cold. The hospital corridor suddenly felt too narrow, too confining.
“That night, when you ended up in my bed–was it because Giana got in the way?”
I met his gaze, struggling to keep my expression neutral despite the panic rising within me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Kane chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. “No? Let me refresh your memory. Engagement night. You, showing up at my door, practically begging me to-”
“Stop it,” I hissed, glancing around frantically to ensure no one could overhear us. “That night was a
mistake. Forget it ever happened.”
“You keep saying that, but I’m still not buying it.” he countered, stepping closer until I could smell his
cologne–woodsy and expensive, just like him. “Tell me something, Aurora. Does Raymond know about your… wandering affections?”
The threat in his words was unmistakable. My heart hammered against my ribs. “What do you want,
Kane?”
“Want? Can’t I simply be curious about this fascinating arrangement? Raymond, you, and the little rogue playing house together while you and I share our own… secret.”
I pushed past him, desperate to escape. “There is no secret. And there is no ‘you and I.‘ Just forget about that night.”
His hand caught my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. “The way I see it, I did you a favor that night, and I’m still doing you one now by not saying anything. You owe me, and I don’t forget debts, Aurora.”
I yanked my arm free. “I’m not playing your games, Kane. That night was a one–time lapse in judgment.”
“So cold now,” he mused, his eyes tracing my face. “Yet I remember you pretty differently–desperate, needy, quite vocal about what you wanted.”
Heat rushed to my face, a mixture of anger and embarrassment. “I hate you.”
and
“No, you don’t,” he said with maddening confidence. “You hate that I know the truth about you Raymond. You hate that I’ve seen behind your perfect mask. But mostly, you hate that despite everything, you’re still thinking about that night.”
With one last venomous glare, I walked away, his soft laughter following me down the corridor. “You know I’m right, Aurora!”
***
1/2
Chapter 9
+15 BONUS
For days, I did my best to avoid Raymond and tried not to think about Kane, but it proved impossible, his words haunting me everywhere I went.
I would have loved to avoid Giana as well, but I had honored Raymond’s wishes, playing the perfect fiancée by befriending her. Each day, I made painful small talk, invited her to join us at lunch, and forced smiles that left my face aching.
The constant charade was exhausting – pretending to welcome the woman who had stolen everything
from me while she played the innocent victim. I longed desperately for even a moment’s break from my
performance. When the instructor stepped forward to announce the training pairings, my heart sank as I heard our names together, my stomach twisting into painful knots.
As we both made our way over toward the ring, the arena erupted into whispers. Everyone knew about Raymond’s humiliating public rejection. They’d all seen him choose Giana over me, and rumors had begun to spread like wildfire.
Giana stepped into the ring, looking small and vulnerable–a carefully crafted image that fooled everyone but me. I followed, painfully aware of the hungry eyes watching us, waiting for blood.
“Destroy her, Aurora!” someone shouted, followed by a chorus of agreement that made me wince.
I caught Giana’s eye and gave her a small nod, trying to convey that I wouldn’t humiliate her despite having every reason to. She responded with a look of confusion that quickly hardened into
determination.
“Begin!”
I took a defensive stance, deliberately holding back. This wasn’t about revenge; it was about dignity. I would not stoop to pettiness, no matter how much she had taken from me.
Chapter 10
