An Unfortunate Fate That Binds Them All

Aurora

I quickened my pace as we stepped out of the bank, my heart thrumming with excitement. My personal account was finally funded, and more importantly, my mother’s account had been reactivated.

Progress.

Beside me, my so-called husband matched my stride, his presence oddly comforting.

Wait. What the hell is his name again?

I hadn't even checked when we signed the marriage certificate earlier.

As if reading my mind, he smirked. "I know what you're thinking. I'm Raphael. Raphael Rodriguez."

Something about that name felt… familiar.

“My husband has a pretty name, huh?” I teased, giving his bicep a playful tap.

We flagged down a taxi and stopped at a boutique to change into something less conspicuous. Once we were done, Raphael’s phone buzzed.

“What?” His voice rose, his entire body going rigid. “What the hell happened?”

My breath caught. I instinctively reached for his arm. "What is it?"

His expression darkened. "My mother."

Panic clawed at my chest. "And?"

He exhaled sharply. "She fell down the stairs."

Without hesitation, I grabbed his wrist. "Then let's go see her."

But he stopped me.

"Wife," he said, voice firm yet gentle. "Go. Your mission is bigger than mine. She will be fine." He pulled out his phone, quickly exchanging our contact information. "If either of us needs help, we call. Understood?"

I met his gaze, something unreadable swirling in his dark eyes. "Got it."

And just like that, he was gone.

I was alone. But I had to do this.

~~~

Standing outside MIG Enterprises, I was met with a storm of reporters.

They crowded around, shouting questions at the company’s manager, Mr. Brown.

I pushed through the mass of people and, in a bold voice, announced, "If you have questions, ask me. I’m right here."

A stunned silence followed.

Shock painted their faces. Their expressions screamed the same unspoken question: How the fuck is she alive? And how can she see, hear, and talk at the same damn time?

A man pointed. "That’s Aurora Driscoll! The first daughter of the Driscoll family!"

The whispers grew into frantic murmurs.

I climbed onto the podium, lifting my chin high. "Good day, everyone. I see the search for me was quite… intense. But as you can see, I’m alive and well. You can all relax now."

A reporter shot forward. "Miss Aurora Driscoll, where have you been? And why did you disappear on your wedding day? Don't you owe the public an explanation?"

I smiled — sharp, calculated. "Point of correction. I am no longer a Driscoll."

The crowd gasped.

Lifting my left hand, I flashed my wedding ring to the cameras, my heart thundering at the thought of my father and his despicable family watching.

"I am married," I declared.

The whispers turned into a roar.

"And for those questioning my ability to run the family business…" I took a slow, deliberate breath. "I am educated. I attended a school for special children. Moreover, according to my mother’s will, the properties she transferred to me now belong to my husband."

I let that sink in before delivering the final blow.

"My father’s time as President of MIG Enterprises has officially come to an end."

Dead silence.

Then — gasps, murmurs, pure disbelief.

I stepped down from the podium.

A reporter hurried after me. "How do we know you’re really married?"

"You’ll find out soon enough," I shot back.

But just as I turned to leave, a black car pulled up a few meters away.

The back door swung open.

Men in dark suits surrounded me.

No words were spoken. They didn’t have to say anything. I already knew who sent them.

My father.

With a steady breath, I stepped into the car.

The drive to my father’s mansion was silent, tension thick as the stolen wealth that lined his pockets.

~~~

As soon as I walked into the living room, his voice boomed like thunder.

"How dare you? And since when can you talk, hear, and see?"

I wrinkled my nose. "Why are you barking so early in the afternoon? And please, don’t spit on me. This outfit costs over thirty thousand dollars."

My sass hit its mark. His face twisted with rage.

Eleanor, his pathetic excuse of a wife, shot up from her seat, seething. "Don’t you have respect for your father anymore, you little bastard!"

She lunged at me, hand raised, but I caught her wrist midair and slapped her. Hard. The impact echoed through the room.

A satisfied smirk tugged at my lips.

Just then, laughter drifted down the staircase. A sound that made my blood boil.

Mia and Francis.

Mia's face drained of color when she spotted me.

Francis, still smirking, turned to see what had stunned her. His gaze met mine. His smirk vanished. A sharp, startled gasp escaped his lips.

I took a slow step forward, my voice dropping to a cold whisper.

"I’m back… to turn your lives upside down." I tilted my head. "Do you care for a bet?"