Married to my enemy’s son

Chapter2

Aurora Vale – POV

He said yes.

Not a cautious maybe, not a smirk laced with mockery. A real answer.

“Fine,” he’d murmured, his breath brushing my ear like a threat. “I’ll marry you. But make no mistake, Aurora—when I take something, I don’t give it back.”

That was two nights ago.

And now, I was in the penthouse suite of the CrossTech skyscraper, staring at a gleaming marble conference table that probably cost more than what was left of my family’s estate.

“I expected a prenup,” I said, fingers drumming against the chair’s leather armrest. “Maybe blood samples and a background check.”

“You’ll get the prenup.” Kai leaned back in his chair across from me, all calm confidence in a tailored navy suit. “The blood samples are optional—unless you’ve got something to hide.”

“I’ve got plenty to hide,” I said smoothly. “But I don’t bleed easily.”

He smiled. Sharp. Dangerous.

A lawyer at the head of the table—a woman in her forties with unreadable eyes—handed me a sleek folder. “These are the terms Mr. Cross has requested.”

I flipped it open. No emotion. Just business.

Six-month public engagement, followed by a legal civil ceremony.

No infidelity, no public scandal.

In exchange: media rebranding for Aurora Vale, shared rights to all collaborative ventures, and a return of select Vale properties pending successful execution of the marriage alliance.

I bit back a gasp.

“You’re giving me the Eastside townhouse?” I looked up.

“It was under shell ownership for years,” Kai said, as if he wasn’t casually tossing me a piece of my childhood. “My father took it. I’m giving it back.”

“Out of pity?”

“Out of strategy.” His voice turned cold. “Don’t confuse the two.”

I stared at him for a moment too long.

Every instinct in me screamed that this was a bad idea. The worst idea. But behind that instinct was a deeper hunger—the hunger to claw back every piece of what was stolen from me. My name. My power. My voice.

I signed.

The pen made no sound as it etched my revenge in ink. But inside, I felt something shift.

“Congratulations,” the lawyer said, collecting the documents. “You’re now engaged to one of the most powerful men in the city.”

I smiled faintly. “Lucky me.”

Kai stood, buttoning his jacket with mechanical ease. “We’ll announce it at the gala this Saturday. Wear something photogenic.”

“And you’ll wear your best mask, I assume?” I rose to meet his gaze. “Wouldn’t want anyone thinking you were actually capable of love.”

He didn’t blink. “Don’t flatter yourself, Aurora. Love isn’t part of the deal.”

The ride down in the private elevator was silent until he spoke.

“I Googled you.”

I arched a brow. “And?”

“You were prettier in person. Meaner, too.”

“You were colder. And taller. Your father must be so proud.”

He gave a short laugh, humorless. “He doesn’t know. Yet.”

I turned to face him. “You didn’t tell Lucian Cross that you’re marrying the daughter of the man he sent to prison?”

His jaw tightened. “I don’t ask for permission.”

“Then what do you ask for?”

“Loyalty.”

I let the word hang between us, bitter and heavy. “You won’t get that from me.”

He looked at me then, really looked. Not like a man sizing up an enemy or a lover, but something more primal—curious. Cautious. Like he couldn’t decide if I was going to kiss him or kill him.

“Good,” he said finally. “Because I don’t trust people who pledge loyalty too quickly.”

The elevator dinged open. We stepped out into the CrossTech lobby—glass and gold, pristine and clinical. My heels clicked across the marble as photographers outside pressed up against the windows, waiting for their next story.

Kai slipped his hand into mine.

“Smile,” he said under his breath. “You’re madly in love with me, remember?”

I turned my head to look at him, my mouth curving into something that resembled affection.

“I’m thinking about our honeymoon,” I whispered sweetly. “Maybe I’ll push you off a yacht.”

He chuckled. “Don’t tempt me to marry you sooner.”

The cameras exploded in flashes as we stepped outside, the world gasping at the sight of us.

Aurora Vale, heiress reborn.

Kai Cross, devil in a suit.

The new power couple of Manhattan.

Later that night, I returned to the modest apartment I still rented above a bakery in Brooklyn. It smelled like sugar and exhaustion. I had meant to move months ago, but the idea of living in luxury before earning it made my stomach twist.

That, and my pride wouldn’t allow it.

I kicked off my heels and poured myself a glass of water, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in my stomach that hadn’t left since I signed the papers.

My phone buzzed.

Lizzy 💄: You actually did it. You married the enemy. How do you feel?

I stared at the message for a long moment before typing back.

Me: Like I just made a deal with the devil and asked him to dinner.

Her reply came instantly.

Lizzy 💄: What if the devil’s hotter than expected?

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I went into the bathroom and sat on the edge of the tub, the test still hidden beneath the sink. I hadn’t touched it in days, too afraid to see the truth again.

But tonight, I couldn’t ignore it.

I pulled the plastic stick out and stared at the word that had haunted me since the first moment I saw it.

Pregnant.