THE SILVER HAIRED TEMPTATION

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Aurora’POV

I pushed the front door open and smiled.

The orphanage always smelled the same.

A mixture of old books, freshly washed clothes, and the faint scent of the wooden scented air freshener Mrs Clara insisted on spraying throughout the halls.

I heard the familiar sound of children’s laughter.

I hadn’t been here in two weeks.

Not because I didn’t want to come.

Because every time I stepped through those doors, leaving again became harder.

“Aurora!”

I barely had time to react before a small figure came running toward me.

I laughed as Hannah threw her arms around my waist.

“You’re here!”

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tightly.

Hannah pulled away, looking up at me with those familiar eyes.

“You promised you’d visit sooner.”

“I know.” I sighed dramatically. “I’m sorry.”

She rolled her eyes.

I laughed.

Hannah was fourteen, but sometimes she still felt like the little girl I had carried around on my hip when we were younger.

We had grown up in this place together.

When our parents died, the orphanage became the only home we knew.

I had aged out years ago.

Hannah hadn’t.

And leaving her behind had been the hardest thing I’d ever done.

I sat beside her on the small bed in her room while she told me everything that had happened since my last visit.

School.

Her friends.

A teacher she hated.

A girl who had stolen her favorite pen.

I listened to every single thing.

Eventually, she rested her head against my shoulder.

“When are you going to take me home?”

My heart squeezed.

I looked down at her.

“Soon.”

“You always say soon.

“I mean it this time.”

I reached for her hand.

“I’m saving.”

“For what?”

“For us.”

She stared at me.

“I’ll get a better apartment. I’ll get everything ready. Then I’ll come back for you.”

Her eyes filled with hope.

“Really?”

“Really.”

I smiled.

“I promise.”

It wasn’t an empty promise.

Every shift I worked, every tip I earned, every bill I managed to save was for one thing.

Hannah.

I wanted to give her the life neither of us had ever gotten.

A real home.

A bedroom of her own.

A kitchen where we could cook together.

A place where she wouldn’t have to worry about someone eventually deciding she was too old to stay.

After spending several more hours with her, I finally stood.

“I have to go.”

Her smile disappeared.

“Already?”

“I have work tonight.”

She sighed.

“Fine.”

I hugged her again.

“I’ll come back soon.”

“You better.”

“I will.”

I walked to nurse Suzie’s office.

I knocked twice.

“Come in”.

I went inside and saw nurse Suzie sitting on the chair.

“Aurora my dear, I didn’t know you’d be paying us a visit today.”

Yes nurse suzie sorry for not informing you earlier.

I came to ask about Hannah’s health.

“Ah yes her condition is the same.”

I lowered my head.

“I know you’re doing your best but you need to be fast with the money.”

Nurse Suzie i’m trying. I said.

The she said something that i have been dreading to hear.

“Soon her hair will fall out.”

I couldn’t imagine the pain she’s feeling and she keeps hiding from me.

I excused myself.

I walked out of the orphanage with my heart heavier than when I’d arrived.

The evening air was cool against my skin as I made my way back to my apartment.

My apartment was small.

Very small.

One bedroom, a tiny kitchen, an old couch, and a bathroom that sometimes had a mind of its own.

I have to work harder for Hannah.

I dropped my bag onto the couch and looked at the clock.

I had barely two hours before my shift.

I showered, ate something quick, and started getting ready.

Working at the club wasn’t exactly the dream I’d imagined for myself.

But it paid well.

Much better than most jobs I could find without qualifications.

And I needed the money.

I stood in front of the mirror and brushed my long silver hair until it fell smoothly down my back.

My green eyes stared back at me.

I studied my reflection for a moment before sighing.

“One day at a time.”

I grabbed my things and left.