THE BILLIONAIRE's HIDDEN HEIR

MY DAUGHTER , MY JOY

Two years had passed, and it was Christmas Eve. Aurora was still in her cozy studio, lost in her art. She was painting a breathtaking portrait of a young girl, who looked to be around two years old. The girl's beauty was captivating - her bright blue eyes sparkled like sapphires, her golden locks cascaded down her back like a river of sunset hues, and her delicate features were a perfect blend of innocence and joy.

As Aurora finished the final touches, the girl spoke up, "Mummy, can I get down now? My neck is stiff." Aurora smiled, "Just a minute, Lily, I'm almost done."

But Lily was impatient. She jumped down from the table, her little legs wobbly as she made her way to the door. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Natasha entered, a warm smile on her face. Lily ran to her, arms open wide, and Natasha scooped her up, twirling her around in a joyful hug. "Merry Christmas, Auntie!" Lily exclaimed, her tiny voice full of excitement.

Natasha replied, "Merry Christmas, sweetie!" and handed Lily a bag filled with sweet treats - colorful lollipops, sparkly cupcakes, and a soft, cuddly teddy bear. Lily's eyes widened with delight as she thanked her aunt, her tiny hands eagerly grasping the goodies.

Just then, Aurora stood up from her painting, stretching her arms and smiling at her friend. The two women exchanged warm hugs and Christmas greetings. Meanwhile, Lily, now sugared-up and excited, wriggled free from Natasha's grasp and made a beeline for the door.

"Wait, Lily, don't go yet!" Aurora called out, "I haven't finished your portrait!" But the little girl was too fast, too excited. She ignored her mother's plea and ran outside, stopping in front of the shop to gaze at the festive decorations and twinkling lights.

Natasha chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "I guess she's too caught up in the holiday spirit!" Aurora laughed in agreement, and the two friends continued their Christmas celebration, surrounded by art, love, and the joy of the season.

Natasha turned to Aurora with a concerned expression. "Johnson called me, said you didn't show up on the date." Aurora shrugged, and Natasha continued, "I know Johnson, he's a good man, and he'll treat you and Lily well. You really need a man in your life, Aurora, for Lily's sake if not yours."

Natasha's voice took on a gentle but insistent tone. "Lily will start asking about her father soon, and it's only natural. She deserves a complete family." Aurora nodded understandingly, but her response was firm.

"I know, Natasha, and I appreciate your concern. But I just don't have time for love right now. Lily has brought so much joy and fulfillment to my life, and I'm happy with the way things are. I'm not saying I'll never consider a relationship, but for now, I'm content with being a single mom."

As Aurora headed to the fridge to grab something for her friend, Natasha dropped a bombshell. "I heard Ethan is returning to the country after his father's passing. He might take over the company now."

Aurora's body language betrayed her for a split second - her shoulders tensed, and her grip on the fridge handle tightened. But she quickly recovered, attempting to brush off the news nonchalantly. "Really? I never cared about that," she said, trying to sound indifferent.

Natasha's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through Aurora's facade. "Are you sure you can keep your calm if Ethan returns? His family is incredibly powerful, and I worry about you getting hurt again." Natasha's voice was laced with concern, her words tinged with a deep understanding of Aurora's past.

Aurora's mask slipped ever so slightly, revealing a flicker of unease before she regained her composure. "I'll be fine, Natasha. Don't worry about me." But Natasha's expression remained skeptical, her eyes clouded with worry for her best friend's well-being.

Just then, Michael burst into the room, beaming with joy, and boomed out a hearty "Merry Christmas!" to the two women. But his festive cheer was short-lived, as Natasha's expression turned furious. She glared at him, her eyes blazing with anger, and slapped him on the back of the head.

Michael was taken aback, stumbling forward in surprise. "What did I do to deserve that?" he asked, bewildered.

Natasha's face was red with rage. "You're the i***t who caused all this mess!" she screamed, her voice trembling with fury. "If you utter another word, I might just kill you this time around!"

Just then, Lily's innocent voice piped up from the back of the room, "Why is Auntie Natasha cursing?" The little girl's eyes were wide with concern. "My homeroom teacher said it's bad to curse, and only bad people curse others. Is Auntie Natasha a bad person?"

Natasha tried to explain, "Sweetie, I wasn't cursing, I was just—"

But Lily cut her off again, her logic simple yet unyielding. "If you said you'll kill someone, that means you're cursing!"

Natasha's face softened, and she surrendered to Lily's wisdom. "Sorry, baby. You're right."

Michael, who had been watching the exchange, smiled and swooped in to hug Lily. "Oh, my beautiful wife is really fighting for me!" He chuckled, impressed by Lily's moral compass.

Lily spoke up again, "No, Uncle Michael, you're not my wife!" Michael's face contorted in surprise. "Why not, sweetie?"

Lily's response was matter-of-fact. "I want to marry someone handsome so I can have a beautiful child like me." Michael's face fell, but he tried to salvage his ego. "Hey, I'm handsome too!"

Lily's blunt honesty cut deep. "No, Uncle Michael, you're not handsome." The room fell silent, and Aurora saw the faintest glimmer of sadness in Michael's eyes.

Aurora quickly intervened, sweeping Lily into her arms. "Okay, baby, let's go get some cookies." As they exited the room, Natasha burst into laughter, her eyes shining with mirth. Michael's face, however, remained tinged with a hint of sorrow, his smile forced.

As night fell, Aurora sat beside her daughter, gently singing a lullaby to guide Lily into a peaceful slumber. Once Lily's eyes drifted shut, Aurora opened the drawer and retrieved the handkerchief, her fingers tracing the soft fabric. Her gaze fell upon the old bruise, now a faded reminder of a painful past. A soft smile spread across her face as she thought of Ethan, and the memories came flooding back.

As Aurora gazed at the handkerchief, memories of the past came flooding back. She vividly recalled the day she was told she was pregnant at the hospital. The doctor's words had been laced with excitement and joy, but Aurora had felt only sorrow and fear. She had been overwhelmed by the news, unsure of how to process it.

As she left the hospital, she was struck by a sight that made her heart skip a beat. There, among the list of hospital sponsors, was Ethan's picture. She couldn't believe her eyes.

Aurora knew that Ethan was far beyond her reach. She had tried on numerous occasions to contact him, but he was always surrounded by a wall of security and guards. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get close to him. It was as if he had built an impenetrable fortress around himself, shutting her out completely.

But now, as she gazed at the handkerchief, Aurora felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had moved on, and Lily was her world now. The past still lingered, but it no longer defined her.