Beneath the silky fabric, I felt the firm, smooth lines of his muscles.
Just as I was about to undo the last button, Julian seized my hand.
His face was a mask of indifference as the cold muzzle of a gun pressed against my forehead.
"Aurora, do you have any idea what you're doing?"
I nodded, looking up at him.
"Your father wants us… to have an heir."
Julian slowly pried my fingers away.
He smiled at me, but his eyes were as cold as a winter wind.
"You're just like your mother. Betrayal is in your blood."
"Does a traitor's bloodline deserve to carry the Thorne family name?"
He shoved me away, hurling a piece of antique porcelain I had just restored.
Expensive shards shattered across the marble floor.
I stumbled back, my body crashing against the mahogany sideboard.
He stepped over the broken pieces, his expression laced with disgust.
"Don't think a child will be your salvation, your ticket out of here."
"No one will ever love a sinner's daughter, Aurora."
"You will remain by my side like a trophy for me to display and control."
Julian's silk shirt hung open, revealing the hard muscle forged by years of training.
I glanced at it once, then calmly looked away.
After that terrifying wedding night, Julian never touched me again.
He despised the thought of it and surrounded himself with a revolving door of mistresses.
As a result, the grandchild Don Marcus so eagerly awaited never came to be.
"Aurora," Julian called my name softly.
The gentle tone was a rarity.
I looked up. He was gazing at me, his eyes filled with undisguised mockery.
"Perhaps you should try someone new, too."
"Find a little vitality for yourself. A change of pace is always good for you."
I gave a small smile and turned to leave.
I knew he only said it to humiliate me.
If I ever acted on it, his rage would be terrifying.
"Aurora," Julian suddenly called from behind me.
I turned, confused.
He held up his phone, gesturing for me to look.
"Charity auction tonight. Be ready."
…
I was puzzled. Julian never took me to occasions like this, where the Dons of the other families would gather.
After our marriage, he wanted nothing to do with any public displays of affection.
But this time—
It wasn't until we stepped into the hotel's magnificent, gilded hall that I understood.
I was on his arm when my gaze fell upon a familiar figure at the host's table.
I froze, my feet suddenly feeling as if they were encased in lead.
Caspian Vance… he was back.
Julian felt me stiffen and whispered in my ear, "What's wrong? Excited to see your old flame doing so well?"
He looked up, following my line of sight.
Their eyes met across the room.
Julian didn't flinch, a smirk playing on his lips.
He picked up a glass of wine and strode toward Caspian.
"Mr. Vance, I've heard a great deal about you."
His playful gaze flickered to me for a moment.
Then he raised his glass to Caspian. "I hear you're an old schoolmate of Aurora's. A shame you couldn't make it to our wedding to witness my acquisition of such a cherished piece."
Caspian gave him a cool glance before his eyes slowly moved to me. "Long time no see, Aurora."
I took a deep breath, and when I spoke, an almost imperceptible tremor ran through my voice. "Hi, Caspian."
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.
I could feel Julian's eyes on me, gauging my reaction.
Caspian's appearance had caught me completely off guard, stirring memories and emotions I had buried long ago.
Julian's grip on my arm tightened, a silent assertion of his control.
He continued, his voice light, almost cheerful, but I heard the blade hidden in his tone.
"You know, Caspian, Aurora rarely speaks of her past. I'm sure you two have a lot to catch up on."
I glanced at Julian, trying to decipher his game.
Was this about humiliation, or was there another motive?
Caspian's eyes never left my face. "It has been a long time, Aurora."
I took another shaky breath, my voice tight and hoarse.
