Untangling a Heart From the Past

Xavier clenched his fists. He gave Aurora a pained look, though his tone was stiff and cold as he said, "This doesn't prove that these people were working under Violet's orders. She even went into the room to save you.

"Rory, you should ask yourself why these people wanted to rough you up instead of putting all the blame on Violet."

The truth was laid out before him, yet he chose to side with Violet anyway.

Aurora couldn't help finding this exchange utterly absurd. Her heart grew so cold that it was practically frozen. She could no longer muster the strength to argue with Xavier.

"Fine," she said flatly. "I'll reflect on this."

Xavier frowned, anguish flickering in his eyes. He opened his arms and pulled Aurora into a firm hug. "Alright, that's enough. Violet wants to meet up for dinner tomorrow. You can apologize to her then. I'm sure she'll forgive you."

Aurora's nose burned as she buried her face in his shoulder. She forced back her tears.

She might as well treat the gathering tomorrow as a farewell meal, seeing as she would soon be married and settling down in Elmstead.

The next day, before Aurora was discharged from the hospital, Xavier jotted down the doctor's instructions and suggestions regarding her recovery. He held up the notebook and waved it in front of her afterward, seemingly proud of himself.

"Look at how much I care about you, Rory," he said.

Aurora nodded and said nothing.

They headed to the address of the fancy restaurant Violet had sent them after they'd packed Aurora's things at the hospital. Upon their arrival, they saw that everyone was already there. Even Xavier's mother had come.

"Xavier, you're here! Come sit with us." Xavier's mother, Beatrice Wilder, beckoned her son over to the seat beside Violet. She ignored Aurora as usual, even though Aurora was supposedly Xavier's official girlfriend and fiancee.

Ethan, however, didn't ignore Aurora. "What are you gawking at?" he snapped. "You're supposed to serve us and take our orders! You're the youngest one here, so shouldn't you at least respect your elders?"

Aurora thought Xavier would speak up for her, but his gaze was unexpectedly fixated on Violet. He didn't even once look at Aurora.

"Alright." Aurora lowered her gaze. She had no choice but to do as Ethan asked, pouring water for everyone at the table and taking their food orders.

When she reached Violet, a leg suddenly shot out from under the table and tripped Aurora. The drink she was holding spilled onto Violet's dress.

Violet gasped sharply, and everyone at the table turned to stare at her.

"What are you doing, Aurora?" This time, it was Xavier who chastised Aurora first. "My mom had that dress specially made for Violet. You may not like Violet, but that doesn't mean you can keep picking on her!"

Aurora's eyes reddened with tears, and she suddenly didn't know what to do with her hands. "It was an accident."

Xavier scoffed and helped Violet out of her seat. "Come on, I'll take you to the restroom to clean up."

"I knew a troublemaker like you shouldn't have come!" Ethan flew into a rage after Xavier and Violet left and grabbed a fistful of Aurora's hair. He then slammed her face into the table.

A lump instantly swelled on Aurora's forehead, and some blood even trickled from the wound. The pain had her sobbing, "Ethan, it really was an accident—"

Ethan's eyes were cold and vicious as he kicked her square in the chest. "I told you that Violet is the only sister I have. I won't have a lowly outsider like you pick on her!"

Aurora gritted her teeth as tears glistened in her eyes. In the end, she couldn't keep herself upright anymore and slumped to the ground.

"Quit acting like the victim and clean yourself up in the restroom," Ethan snapped, shooting her a disgusted look.

Aurora dug her nails into her palms, her fingers shaking as she bolted out of the dining lounge. She wasn't familiar with the layout of the restaurant, and it took her a while and plenty of wrong turns before she found the restroom.

However, she had only just stepped inside when she heard the amorous sounds coming from within.

"Your body is still as soft as ever, Violet…" Xavier's voice was a deep, husky melody and thick with desire.

Aurora froze. She couldn't bring herself to take another step into the restroom.

There was a light chuckle, followed by Violet's complaint delivered in a high-pitched tone, "Save your compliments. Don't act like you didn't sleep with Aurora when I was abroad the last few years."

"But I feel nothing for her!" Xavier argued defensively. "I'm only dating her so I can make her pay for what she did to you. I slept with her, but only so I know how to keep myself from hurting you in bed. I only used her for practice, Violet. My love and loyalty always belonged to you!"

Violet beamed as she pressed herself against Xavier's sculpted torso. "Was she really just practice to you? Do you swear you've never fallen for her?"

"Not even her body can tempt me. I've never fallen for her," Xavier said solemnly.

The blood drained from Aurora's face. At that moment, any hope she had for her and Xavier's relationship was crushed.

She remembered Xavier crying—a rare sight—after they slept together for the first time. She'd thought he'd loved her too much and been too nervous back then, but she was wrong.

The tears he'd shed at the time were not so much out of love as they were out of guilt, for he believed he'd cheated on Violet by sleeping with Aurora.

So what was their passionate lovemaking that first night supposed to be, then? Just a practice session for Xavier?

Ten minutes later, Xavier led Violet out of the restroom. Panic seized him when he saw Aurora standing outside, her face pale and tear-stained.