I was only two blocks from the nightclub.
For a moment, the idea of going in, ordering a drink, and overcoming the sharp pain of Alexander's annoyance crossed my mind.
It would be easy... just a drink and it would make me forget everything for moments.
But I wasn't that kind of girl, and as tempting as the idea sounded, I shook my head and kept walking.
When I finally arrived home and pushed open the door with a sigh, the familiar voices of my mother and sister flew in to greet me.
I entered to find them sitting on the couch, chatting comfortably.
Roma, of course, was busy devouring every delicious snack she could get her hands on.
That's right—three months pregnant and already the queen of the house.
The moment she walked in, my parents transformed into loyal followers, pampering her like a fragile treasure.
Didn't she have a husband who lavished her with attention?
Why did she have to steal all that pampering for herself here, too?
Oh, my God!
I sound envious.
I feel jealous.
And honestly... it's looked childish.
I almost turned around and headed straight to my room without even saying hello.
Maybe it was because I was exhausted.
Or maybe it was just an excuse, a way to avoid letting them notice the disappointment and sadness that still lingered after what happened with Alexander.
But before I could escape, Roma's bright voice called out to me
"Aurora! You're back!"
I froze for a moment, then forced myself to turn and walk over to them, a faint smile on my face as I greeted them.
Roma got up and take hold of my arm, didn't let go of my arm as she practically pulled me upstairs, talking excitedly about everything, her voice so cheerful.
She left our mother downstairs with a plate of sweets, clearly eager to not leave me alone.
"Come on, I want all the news!"
She said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"How is Alexander? And the engagement plans?!"
I tried to resist and pulled myself back a little as I climbed up, but to no avail.
Roma's enthusiasm was unwavering.
When we finally arrived in my room, she immediately lay down on the bed while I moved to place the files on the desk.
Before I could breathe, she bombarded me with questions.
"So, what's the latest on the engagement party? Have you set a date? What about the dress?"
I sighed slightly, trying to sound neutral.
"Roma, I'm still tired from work..."
But before I could say anything else, she interrupted, her voice filled with concern.
"I'm so sorry, you know, about last week... My husband and I really wanted to join you and Alexander for dinner, but I was feeling under the weather, and it's been a rough week!"
A smile of genuine regret crossed her face.
I felt relieved, but there was something about the way she said it that made my heart ache.
"It's okay," I mumbled, my voice quieter than usual, avoiding her gaze.
Roma's expression softened when she noticed the subtle change in my mood.
She gently placed her hand on my arm, her voice calm but filled with concern.
"Aurora, are you okay?"
I sighed deeply and sat down beside her, slowly shaking my head, unsure where to begin.
"I don't know..."
I mumbled, trying to push the discomfort away from my chest.
Roma wouldn't let it go.
She gripped my arm tighter, her eyes scanning mine.
"Did something happen with Alexander? You can tell me."
I quickly shook my head, trying to deny it.
"No, nothing happened, it's just... work is stressful, that's all."
But Roma wasn't convinced.
She stared at me for a moment before speaking again, this time more insistently.
"Come on, you can't keep everything inside. You and Alexander... had a fight, didn't you?"
I froze for a moment as the truth finally surfaced and took a deep breath, unable to hold in the pent-up frustration any longer.
"Yes, we had a fight."
I quietly admitted it. I didn't want to burden her, but I also knew she wouldn't let it go.
Roma's eyes widened slightly, and she leaned closer to me, her tone softening.
"What happened?"
I hesitated, then blurted out, unable to hold myself back.
"I got caught up in my work on a case... and I didn't mean to, but he doesn't understand that I can't drop everything for him! He called me, and... he yelled at me! He said I'd been ignoring him for a week, and I no longer cared! I don't know how I feel, but I feel like I'm losing control of everything! Did i ever had it."
My voice trembled as I spoke, and I found myself turning my gaze away from Roma, not wanting her to see how vulnerable I was.
But she didn't say anything right away.
Instead, she sat down beside me and gave me a moment to breathe.
"Aurora," she said quietly after a moment, her hand resting gently on mine.
"It's okay to feel tired."
Roma's voice softened again, but this time there was something more clear in her words.
"Aurora, do you really want to marry him?"
I paused, but I didn't have to think long before answering.
My gaze met hers and I nodded firmly.
"Yes, I do."
Roma's eyes searched mine for a long moment, her expression uncertain.
Finally, she spoke again, her tone concerned.
"I'm not comfortable with the idea of him and you together, Aurora. The way he's treating you... isn't right."
I shook my head, irritation rising in my chest.
"Roma, it's none of your business."
I said firmly, trying to contain the irritation she was causing.
But she didn't back down.
Instead, she reached out and gently stroked my head before cupping my face in her hands.
"I'm just worried about you, okay?" she said in a soft but sharp voice.
"You're my little sister, and I only want what's best for you."
I backed away a little, feeling annoyed for that one similar phrase mom uses when she wants things to go her way.
"I'm an adult, Roma. I know what I'm doing, and you don't have to worry about me."
But she didn't finish.
She let out a soft sigh, her eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place.
"I'm worried that you and Alexander aren't really suited for each other! And then there are those rumors—"
I cut her off before she could finish, and my voice snapped.
"Stop Roma. He treats me well, and I don't have any problems with him! You need to stop advising me like I'm a little girl."
She held up her hands, clearly trying to calm me down.
"I know, I know! But I don't understand why Mom and Dad are pushing this so hard! Why are they rushing into it when you don't really want HIM?"
Her words left me speechless, but she continued, her voice tinged with worry.
"I don't want you to fall for someone who doesn't deserve you! You deserve better! He's a womanizer, Aurora, and these rumors aren't just rumors anymore! I've confirmed it."
My heart dropped to my stomach, and anger surged through me faster and harder than I expected.
"Stop!" I screamed and stood up abruptly. "You don't want what's best for me! You just want me to sit here and rot alone while you live your perfect little life with your husband!"
Roma didn't flinch, but I saw the pain in her eyes.
She didn't say anything; she just watched me, letting the silence fall between us.
I felt my tension rising and my poisonous words left unspoken, but too loudly.
I sighed and looked away, feeling the silence between us, but I didn't apologize.
Deep down, I was probably acting this way because of all the pressure building up inside me between my fight with Alexander and my own suffocating stress. It was no wonder I was tense and ready to lash out at anyone who got too close.
I knew this, but knowing it didn't make it any easier to accept.
I was silent for a moment, fiddling with the edge of the file I'd dropped on the bed earlier.
After a long moment, Roma raised her eyes to me.
"Are you still angry about what happened?"
She asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Even now, a part of me still wonders if that old wound between us still lingers.
The wound we've never spoken about.
The man Roma married wasn't a stranger to me.
He was someone our father knew through his work, a respected surgeon with a bright future.
He was someone our father wanted to marry to one of us, and initially, he introduced him to me.
I was the one he became close to, and I was the one he wanted.
But everything changed the day he came to our house and saw Roma.
It was as if something shifted the moment he laid eyes on her.
He fell in love with her, deeply.
And Roma...
Roma fell in love with him, even though she was dating someone else at the time. She didn't hesitate.
She left her boyfriend behind as if he didn't matter at all, and kissed the man who was supposed to be my husband.
The man who could have been my husband if Roma hadn't walked into the room.
I think a part of me has always carried that slight bitterness, buried deep inside where no one, especially Roma, could see.
And maybe, no matter how much time passes, some wounds never truly heal.
Maybe they're buried under layers of pretending everything's okay.
I sighed again, shaking my head in denial, feeling the last of my anger dissipate into something softer and more exhausting.
Honestly, I'm not interested in him anymore.
I haven't been in a long time, and I was really happy for them.
But sometimes... sometimes I can't help but resent the situation a little.
Not that I still want him.
But because I envied the way he treated Roma.
How he pampered her like she was precious, a treasure he couldn't live without.
Maybe if things had been different, if I had ended up with him, he would have treated me the same way.
Maybe...
Roma reached out and gently took my hand, her thumb brushing my knuckles.
Suddenly, her voice soft and warm, she said,
"If I ever have a girl, I'll name her after you, Aurora."
I blinked, stunned for a moment before a smile spread across my lips.
"I really hope so," I said, squeezing her hand.
We sat there for a second, smiling at each other, the anxiety between us finally fading.
Then, as usual, Roma broke her seriousness with a laugh and a sly smile.
"But if it's a boy, we're still arguing over names. He wants a boring name like Daniel or Joseph, while I want something cooler like Phoenix or Jahver. Can you imagine that?"
I burst out laughing "Poor kid! He either looks like a CEO... or a serial killer."
Roma left after dinner, not wanting to spend another night away from her husband.
I watched her leave with a faint smile, understanding her impulsiveness even if it left me feeling strangely empty inside.
Afterward, I spent some time working on the case file, reviewing all the details I'd gathered from Marica.
The hours passed quietly as I reviewed the attached notes and evidence, making sure every part of her story was accurately documented.
It wasn't until I closed my laptop and put down my pen that I realized how quiet the house had become and how much I felt.
My mind wandered, refusing to stay still.
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow I was supposed to meet Lanzo again.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, and before I could control myself, I started thinking about him.
His voice, his presence, his hands.
And that kiss.
Oh my God! That kiss.
I'd managed to forget about it most of the day, absorbed in dealing with Marica's case.
But now, in the silence of my room, it came back to me in full force—the heat, the dominance, the way he made my body respond before my mind even realized it.
A shiver ran down my spine and I closed my eyes tightly, my cheeks burning at the memory.
What exactly had I gotten myself into?
And why did a small but undeniable part of me want...more?
Later that night, I found myself standing in the bathroom, gripping the edge of the sink with both hands, taking deep, calming breaths.
My reflection stared back at me, wide-eyed, clearly nervous and terrified.
I had to do this.
I had to.
After a long moment of encouragement, I picked up the waxing kit with trembling hands, staring at it like it was a medieval torture device.
I hesitated, cursing myself for even thinking this, but I knew... I knew there was a real possibility that lanzo would ask me for more this time.
Last time, I had somehow managed to escape without exposing my body to him.
But what if he asked again?
What if there was no way out this time? And did i even wanted a way out?
I swallowed hard and pressed the wax against my skin, counting to myself.
"One... two... three—"
I pulled it out.
A deep, choked-up scream erupted in my throat as I took a step back, my hands shaking uncontrollably.
Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes.
Oh God, this hurt more than it should.
I fell back onto the closed toilet lid, breathing heavily, cursing lanzo and his perfect idiotic mouth and his impossible, stupid demands.
But despite the pain, I knew I had to keep going because I couldn't stop wanting to.
And i had to take every precaution.