5
Those simple words stabbed into Aurora’s chest like daggers, tearing her apart.
Her broken heart felt like it was being ripped to shreds, bringing unbearable pain.
Her mind buzzed, her eyes filled with numbness and emptiness.
The guests had somehow left; only the harsh lights illuminated her wounds.
She forced herself up, wrapping a kind server’s discarded jacket around herself, staggering out.
It was pouring rain; she walked blindly into the downpour.
Cold raindrops hit her face, sliding down like tears.
But she couldn’t cry anymore.
She didn’t know where to go, wandering aimlessly in the streets.
A car stopped beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Sebastian’s cold, handsome face.
“Get in.”
Aurora, as if not hearing, dragged her heavy body through the rain.
Sebastian frowned, his voice heavier.“Get in.”
Aurora stopped, raising her pale face.
“No need for your concern, Mr. Hawthorne. I’m just a secretary.”
Her frigid tone made Sebastian’s heart tremble.
He opened the car door, braving the rain to reach her, grabbing her hand.
A
“What happened tonight wasn’t handled well. But I’ve lost Isabelle once; I can’t lose her again. I’ll compensate you for the humiliation you suffered; don’t be mad at me.”
This time, Aurora didn’t give in.
She used her last strength to break free, stepping back, her voice like stagnant water.
“Mr. Hawthorne, you’re joking. Someone like me, how dare I be angry with you and Miss Monroe? I was naive and foolish, unable to see my place. From now on, I’ll remember I’m just a secretary, I won’t disturb your life anymore. Are you satisfied? Can you let me go?”
The more she said, the angrier Sebastian became.
His face turned cold, his emotions overwhelmed him.
“You know I didn’t mean that! I never looked down on you. I said those things to appease Isabelle. In my heart, you and Lydia…”
What he said after that, Aurora didn’t hear.
Her vision blurred; her eyelids felt heavy.
Her strength drained; she swayed and lost consciousness…
She didn’t know how long it took, but when she opened her eyes, she was in the hospital.
Her wet clothes were changed; her wounds were cleaned and bandaged; medicine and hot water were on the bedside table.
A nurse adjusted the IV, smiling kindly upon seeing her awake.
“Awake? Your boyfriend stayed with you all night; he just left.”
Aurora opened her dry lips, her voice hoarse.“He’s not my boyfriend, never was.”
Her relationship with Sebastian was just an accident from the start.
Besides being his secretary, he never acknowledged any other relationship between them.
She’d deceived herself, fantasizing about the future.
But now, she just wanted to wake herself up.
39
