Aurora POV:
I spent the night on my best friend Paige's couch, wrapped in a cocoon of blankets that did little to warm the chill in my bones. The next morning, I officially hired a divorce lawyer. I wanted this over. I wanted Julian out of my life.
The lawyer called back that afternoon. "Ms. Sweeney, your husband is refusing to cooperate. He's claiming this is just a 'marital spat' and has implied that if you push for a divorce, he'll make sure you walk away with nothing."
Julian's arrogance was breathtaking. His threats only hardened my resolve. I needed to go back to the house. There were things I had to get, personal items, but most importantly, my mother's jewelry.
I waited until I knew he'd be at team practice, then drove back to the townhouse one last time.
I moved quickly, packing my clothes, my books. As I passed the study, I heard voices from inside. Julian's voice. He was home early. And he wasn't alone.
Instinct took over. I flattened myself against the wall beside the half-open door, holding my breath.
"Julian, is your wife really going to divorce you?" It was Sienna, her voice tight with anxiety. "How long can we keep up this fake pregnancy story?"
My whole body went rigid. Fake? It was all a lie.
"She's just throwing a tantrum. She'll come crawling back in a few days," Julian said, his voice dripping with contempt. "She's nothing without me. The more pressing issue is something else."
"What?" Sienna asked.
Julian's tone grew heavy. "Evander is back. He just took over KM Group's Chicago operations. It seems Grandfather is thinking of bringing him back into the family's core business."
Evander Lowery. The name echoed in my mind.
"Evander?" Sienna sounded wary. "I thought he was in Europe for good. What's he doing back?"
Julian let out a cold, bitter laugh. "Who knows what that bastard is planning, but his return is a threat to my position. I need to secure my hold on the inheritance before he gets his feet under him."
They went on, their words a venomous stream of plots and schemes, ways to impress their grandfather and undermine Evander. The sheer malice in their conversation made me sick.
I backed away silently, my hand clenched around the handle of my suitcase.
I had what I needed. More than I'd come for.
Not only was Sienna's pregnancy a lie, but I now had a name. Evander Lowery. Julian's enemy. A man who, for reasons I didn't understand, seemed to hold some power over my soon-to-be ex-husband.
As I left the house for the final time, the image of the stranger from the hotel room flashed in my mind again. His touch, his scent, the ice-blue eyes. A brand I couldn't scrub away.
I had to get this divorce. I had to fight for what was mine. But I was alone, and the path ahead was shrouded in fog.
