Rejected by My Family, Cherished by a Billionaire

The tires of the private jet screeched against the tarmac, breaking the silence of the cabin.

I unfastened my seatbelt. Three years. Three years since I was chased out of this city, branded a liar and a monster by the people who were supposed to protect me.

"Miss Ashbourne, we have arrived," the flight attendant said, handing me my coat.

"Thank you, Marcus."

"Will you require the security detail to escort you into the terminal?" he asked, his tone professional but laced with genuine concern.

"No," I replied, grabbing my sunglasses. "I will face them myself."

I was only here for one reason. Arthur Ashbourne. My grandfather was turning eighty, and he was the only person in this entire city who never doubted me when my adopted sister, Ivy Cross, spun her web of lies.

I stepped out of the VIP terminal. The humid air hit my face instantly.

A group waited by the curb, blocking the path to the street. My jaw tightened at the sight of them.

My father, Richard Ashbourne, stood at the front with his arms crossed over his chest. Next to him was my mother, Victoria, clutching her designer purse like a shield against the world. My older brother, Adrian, leaned against the hood of a black SUV, glaring at the sliding glass doors.

And then there was Ethan Blackwood. My former fiancé.

Ryan Carter, a man I once called my best friend, stood slightly behind Ethan, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

They actually came.

"Aurora," Richard barked, stepping forward the moment he spotted me. "You certainly took your time."

I slid my sunglasses down the bridge of my nose, meeting his angry stare. "Hello, Richard."

Victoria gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "Is that how you address your father after three years? We came all this way to welcome you back."

"I didn't ask you to."

Adrian pushed off the SUV. "Drop the attitude, Rory. We all know why you're here. You finally realized you can't survive in Europe without the family name."

"I'm here for Grandpa's eightieth birthday," I said, keeping my voice entirely flat. "Nothing else."

"Stop lying," Ryan chimed in, shaking his head. "It's been three years. Everyone is willing to move on if you just admit what you did to Ivy."

Hearing her name made my stomach turn. I adjusted my grip on my handbag, refusing to let them see any weakness.

"I have nothing to say to any of you," I told them. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

I moved toward the silver Rolls-Royce waiting a few yards away.

Ethan stepped into my path, blocking my way.

He looked exactly the same as the day I left. Tailored suit, perfectly styled hair, that arrogant tilt to his chin.

"Aurora, wait."

"Move, Ethan."

"Not until you listen," he demanded, his voice dropping an octave. "I told them to give you this chance. Ivy wept last night. She said she didn't want the family fractured anymore."

"How generous of her."

"I'm serious," Ethan snapped. "Ivy is willing to forgive you. She even asked me to bring you home."

"Ivy always was a brilliant actress," I noted.

"Stop it," Ethan ordered. "I'm offering you a lifeline. Apologize to her. Kneel if you have to. Do it today, in front of the press and the family, and we can put this behind us."

He stepped closer, invading my personal space.

"If you don't," Ethan continued, "our engagement is permanently over. I won't wait for you anymore."

I stared at him. A laugh bubbled up in my throat, dry and hollow. I let it out, the sound echoing sharply against the concrete overhang.

Ethan flinched. "What's so funny?"

"You," I said, stepping closer so he could see the absolute zero in my eyes. "You actually think there is still an engagement to break."

"We never officially called it off," he argued, his jaw clenching.

"I called it off the second you stood next to Ivy and called me a liar," I said. "We ended three years ago, Ethan. When you chose her."

"I chose the truth!"

"You chose a performance," I corrected. "And I don't care to watch the sequel."

"Rory, please," Ryan said, moving to Ethan's side. "I wanted to believe you back then. I really did. But the evidence..."

"The evidence was forged, Ryan," I cut him off. "But you didn't care to look too closely, did you?"

"You pushed her down those stairs!" Ryan yelled.

"She threw herself down them to stop me from exposing her embezzlement," I replied, my voice dangerously even. "But none of you cared about the bank statements. You only cared about her tears."

"Rory!" Victoria cried out. "Don't you walk away from us! We are your family!"

I turned back to my mother. "My family is waiting for me in Europe. You are just people I used to know."

Adrian scoffed loudly. "Right. Your imaginary European life. You'll come crawling back to us by tomorrow when your money runs out."

"Don't hold your breath," I told my brother.

I bypassed Ethan entirely, leaving him standing frozen on the pavement. The driver of the Rolls-Royce opened the rear door for me. I slid onto the leather seat, shutting out the sound of Richard yelling my name.

"To the hotel, ma'am?" the driver asked.

"Yes, please."

The car pulled away from the curb. I didn't look back at the people shrinking in the rearview mirror.

I pulled my phone from my bag and pressed a contact on my speed dial. The video call connected almost instantly.

A man's face filled the screen. Lucien Draven.

His silver eyes softened the moment he saw me. He was sitting in his study in Paris, a dark tailored shirt unbuttoned at the collar.

"You landed safely," Lucien said.

"I did," I replied, feeling the tension finally drain from my shoulders.

"Did they cause a scene?"

"Just the usual delusions," I said, leaning my head against the headrest. "They think I came back to beg for forgiveness."

Lucien's expression darkened. "I should have flown with you. I don't like my wife facing her enemies alone."

"They aren't enemies, Lucien. They're just strangers."

"Strangers who made you bleed," he corrected sharply. "I haven't forgotten."

"Neither have I," I promised. "But this is about Grandpa."

A high-pitched squeal erupted from the background.

"Mommy!"

A tiny face shoved Lucien out of the frame. Luna. Her dark curls were a mess, and her bright blue eyes were wide with excitement.

"Hi, my sweet girl," I smiled, pressing my fingers to the screen. "Are you being good for Daddy?"

"Yes! But I miss you," Luna pouted. "When are you coming home?"

"Soon," I promised. "Just a few days. I'm going to see Great-Grandpa, and then I'll fly right back to you."

Lucien pulled Luna onto his lap, coming back into view. "We'll hold you to that. Don't let the Ashbournes get to you, wife."

"They can't touch me anymore," I said.

"Good. Call me after the banquet."

"I will. I love you both."

I ended the call, the screen going black. I stared at my reflection in the dark glass.

I wasn't the scared, desperate girl they chased away three years ago. I was Aurora Draven now.

My phone buzzed in my hand. A text message from an unknown number flashed across the screen.

*I know what you're really here for. See you at the party, sister.*

Ivy.

I locked the screen, a cold smile forming on my lips. Let the games begin.