AURORA: The Stepmother's Forbidden Desire

The black car stopped right in front of the iron gate engraved with the Valenstein crest. Aurora watched from behind the second-floor window, her fingers gripping the thin curtain tighter than necessary. She had been told that her husband's only son, who was abroad, was returning today. Still, a feeling of nervousness overwhelmed her. Aurora was not yet fully accustomed to her status as a wife, but now she also had to play the role of stepmother to a grown man who was even a year older than her. "Mrs. Valenstein?" the servant's voice called softly, breaking Aurora's reverie. "The young master has arrived." Aurora swallowed hard. Ready or not, she still had to welcome her husband's son, just like a mother welcoming her own son home. "Yes, thank you. I'll be right down," replied Aurora. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her suddenly irregular heartbeat. Since morning, her stomach had felt uncomfortable, as if she had a premonition that something unpleasant was about to happen. Aurora tried to ignore any discomfort she was feeling at the moment. She changed out of her house dress and into something modest and conservative. In front of her stepson, Aurora had to look presentable and dignified. In the main room, Leonard Valenstein, Aurora's husband, sat in his wheelchair. His back was straight, his face calm as usual. The man always seemed to command the room, even though his body could no longer stand. "Is he here yet?" Leonard asked without turning his head. "Yes," Aurora replied softly. Leonard smiled slightly. "My son is finally home after all these years." The sentence sounded simple. But for some reason, Aurora's heart was pounding, making her feel even more uncomfortable. The front door opened. Footsteps sounded, steady, without hesitation. Aurora raised her head. A man entered the house with confidence. Tall, broad-shouldered, his face mature with hard lines on his jaw. A dark suit fit him neatly, his hair slightly messy as if he didn't care about first impressions. His gaze immediately swept the room, then stopped right on Aurora. For a moment. Just a moment, but it was enough to make Aurora feel like she had been hit by a storm. "Ethan..." Aurora whispered the name, almost inaudibly, even to her own ears. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Ethan Valenstein. Aurora had known her stepson's name for several days. However, she never expected that this man was Ethan, her former classmate, whom she had secretly liked for years. "Hi, Dad," Ethan finally greeted him, his voice flat. He stepped closer to Leonard's wheelchair and shook his hand briefly. "You don't look too bad for being in a wheelchair." Leonard chuckled softly. "And you're still rude." Ethan glanced at Aurora again. This time, he looked at her longer. "You didn't mention that your new wife is so young." Aurora felt her face flush. Ethan might not remember her, since she had once been just one of many girls who liked that man. But it still felt awkward. Leonard smiled. “Aurora, this is Ethan. My son.” Aurora already knew. Of course she knew. But hearing it said aloud felt different, as if confirming her current status as a stepmother. "Aurora?" Ethan repeated the name slowly, as if he was thinking, or perhaps remembering something? "What a beautiful name." Apparently he didn't remember, he was just assessing her. "Thank you," Aurora replied quickly, trying to sound calm. "Welcome to the mansion." "Welcome?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "This is my house." The air in the room tensed. Aurora immediately looked awkward. Leonard cleared his throat. "Ethan." "I'm just kidding," Ethan said lightly, but his eyes didn't smile. "Don't take it too seriously." Aurora looked down, choosing to remain silent. From the very first minute, she had sensed something was wrong. It wasn't outright hatred, but rather constant pressure, as if someone was deliberately testing her endurance. Despite the fact that Ethan had once been someone special in Aurora's heart, it seemed that the days ahead would bring more pressure. And indeed, that proved to be the case. Ethan rarely spoke to Aurora. When he did, his tone was cold and sarcastic. The man surely knew that Aurora and Leonard's marriage was nothing more than a business transaction, so perhaps Ethan now thought Aurora was a materialistic girl who was willing to trade her youth for money and luxury. "Are you really happy here?" Ethan asked Aurora one afternoon in the dining room, in front of Leonard. "Isn't this mansion too quiet and cold for a woman your age?" Aurora smiled politely. "I'm fine," she replied. "Really?" Ethan muttered. "You look like someone who always thinks before breathing." Leonard chuckled, thinking it was a joke. However, Aurora knew it was not a joke. Every glance from Ethan was like a small knife ready to stab her at any moment. After interacting with him for several days, Aurora began to believe that Ethan hated her. "You should have married another rich man who is more fun than my old and boring father. It's a pity you're stuck here, isn't it?" Ethan continued. "Ethan, you're going too far." Leonard responded. Ethan didn't seem to care. He had no intention of stopping and instead stared intently at Aurora. "Or maybe what my father offers is more than other rich men?" Ethan asked again. Leonard growled. "Ethan." "Sorry, sorry. I'm just kidding." Ethan smiled innocently. Aurora only smiled slightly, then looked down. Could it be that Aurora had once had romantic feelings for Ethan, so it was a little painful to see the hatred he showed her? Aurora tried to wake herself up and accept reality. Which member of the Valenstein family didn't look down on her? Even Leonard, her husband, sometimes treated her like a purchased item. That night, the house felt quieter than usual. Leonard had fallen asleep after taking his regular medication. The servants had retired early. Rain fell slowly outside, dampening the backyard. Aurora went down to the kitchen to get some water. She didn't turn on the big light, only the small lamp in the corner of the room. "Can't sleep?" Aurora gasped and turned around immediately. Ethan was standing in the kitchen doorway, shirtless, the top button of his white shirt undone. In one hand he held a glass of wine, which he took a sip from. "I—" Aurora swallowed. "I'm just thirsty." "This mansion always makes it hard to sleep," Ethan said casually as he stepped inside. "Too many things that can't be said. Right?" Aurora wrapped her fingers around the glass. "If you don't like me, you don't have to show it so much. I know my place." "I didn't say I didn't like you," Ethan corrected. Aurora fell silent. She realized Ethan's tone had changed. Lower and softer. "You just make me curious," Ethan added. "Curious?" Aurora laughed nervously. "What exactly makes you curious? I think you're mistaken." Ethan stepped closer, then stopped right in front of Aurora. "But unfortunately, I am curious." They were too close. Aurora could smell the rain and something warm from Ethan's body. "You're my father's wife. You shouldn't make me interested," Ethan muttered again. Aurora froze in shock at Ethan's words, then lifted her face. "Then stop looking at me like that." She tried to warn him. Ethan smiled slightly, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He finished the wine in his glass, then set the empty glass down. "I've tried not to look at you," he said as he brought his face closer to Aurora's. His hand also rose, playing with the end of Aurora's hair. "But you're too attractive for me to ignore." And before Aurora could move or say anything, Ethan leaned down and kissed her lips. A kiss that made Aurora feel like she’d been hit by a storm. The second storm since the man had arrived at the Valenstain mansion.