"I just..." Aurora hesitated, fishing for a believable excuse.
Grayson interjected smoothly, "The faucet was acting up, so I gave Miss Flynn a hand fixing it."
With that, Grayson breezed past Aurora, heading straight for the dining room.
Ryan narrowed his eyes, watching Grayson's retreating figure, a nagging feeling tugging at his gut. Since when did his usually standoffish uncle turn into Mr. Fix-It? His gaze flicked to Aurora, who flashed him a soft smile.
Ryan leaned in, voice low. "Rora, my mom's probably gonna urge us to get married at dinner. Could you do me a solid and play along? Just agree to it verbally. We will go our separate ways after, no strings attached."
Worried she might balk, he grabbed her hand and pleaded, "Please, I'm begging you."
Aurora had no reason to say no. They'd made a pact to cover for each other from the start. "Alright," she said.
Side by side, they strolled into the dining room.
Veronica beamed at Aurora, handing her a sleek gift box. "Aurora, this is for you."
Inside sparkled a diamond necklace.
"It's too much, I can't—" Aurora started to protest.
"Rora, it's a gift. Just accept it," Ryan interjected, deftly fastening the necklace around her neck.
The cold metal against Aurora's skin matched the frosty stare Grayson shot at it from across the table. His jaw tightened, fingers strangling his wine glass.
"Aurora, you and Ryan have been together for nearly a year. It's time to pick a date," Veronica said, her voice brimming with excitement. "When will your parents be available? Let's meet up and talk about wedding plans."
"They..." Aurora began, but her words were swallowed by a sharp crash.
Grayson's wine glass had shattered in his grip, dark red wine mixing with blood trickling down his hand.
Veronica rushed to Grayson's side, tending to his wound. "My fault entirely! I should've tossed that cracked glass ages ago."
Grayson brushed it off. "It's nothing, just a small cut."
Once his hand was patched up, dinner wound down, so the marriage talk fizzled out.
Veronica made a point of telling Ryan to see Aurora home safely.
Ryan, his breath heavy with wine, nodded.
"I'll send her home," Grayson said, cool as ever. "You've all had a few. It's not safe to drive."
"Aurora's place is nowhere near the Rockefellers'. Isn't that a hassle?" Veronica asked.
"I live in Skyline Lofts. It's on the way," Grayson replied.
Skyline Lofts, Odonrith's priciest river-view residence, was just a street away from Aurora's modest apartment—though the price tags were worlds apart.
Veronica blinked, caught off guard. She hadn't revealed Aurora's address, so how did Grayson know?
Ryan, buzzing with enthusiasm, tugged Aurora into the backseat of Grayson's car and then settled in beside her.
Grayson paused, his eyes cold as he slid into the passenger seat. In the rearview mirror, his gaze locked onto the diamond necklace glinting at Aurora's throat.
The car, spacious as it was, felt suffocating with unspoken tension.
When the sleek luxury car pulled up under Aurora's building, Ryan ran his hand over the leather seat, grinning like a kid in a candy store. "Grayson, when I hold the wedding, can I borrow this car for the day?"
Grayson's face was stone, no answer forthcoming.
Ryan laughed. "I swear I won't ding it." Turning to Aurora with a playful wink, he added, "Rora, what do you think? Rolling off in this car post-wedding would be epic, right?"
Aurora, guessing Ryan meant a wedding with someone else, gave a small nod.
Grayson's expression clouded over, her easy agreement twisting something inside him. He spoke with a detached tone. "If you like it, I'll get you a new one as a wedding gift."
Ryan's eyes lit up, practically bouncing in his seat. "Grayson, you're the best! Not nearly as icy as Mom makes you out to be."
"Is that so?" Grayson asked.
"Absolutely, you're awesome," Ryan said, flashing a grin at Aurora, his excitement spilling over.
Aurora stayed quiet.
Grayson, trying to play it cool, gazed at Aurora through the rearview mirror. "Miss Flynn, what's your take?"
Catching his gaze, Aurora replied politely, "Mr. Rockefeller, you're a good man."
It was a courteous compliment, nothing more.
Grayson's eyes lingered on her reflection in the mirror, vexed by her response.
Ryan hopped out, chivalrously opening Aurora's door, his arm shielding her head from the frame. "My lady, your chariot awaits."
Aurora chuckled at his theatrics. "Thanks."
Their easy banter flowed naturally, unforced. They didn't notice Grayson in the passenger seat, his face like a storm cloud.
From the car, Grayson watched Aurora's warm smile, memories of her tenderness toward him years ago flooding back, stirring a restless ache. Five years ago, she'd smiled at him with that same softness. Now, she treated him like a stranger.
Ryan, clueless to the undercurrent, waved at Grayson. "Thanks for the ride, Grayson. Good night. I'll walk Rora up."
Aurora said politely, "Thank you, Mr. Rockefeller."
"You're welcome," Grayson replied, his face hard as he told the driver to go.
Ryan watched the sleek Maybach pull away, grinning. "My uncle's the best guy on the planet."
Aurora's face stayed neutral, offering no reply. Once, she too had thought Grayson was the best person alive. But not anymore.
