The CEO's Fake Wife

Dilemma

“It is very important for you to play the role of his wife to the fullest, I have sent you a file with everything you need to know.” With all that said, Asher turned around to leave.

Aurora quickly grabbed his hand. “Kai-” Asher gave her a cold look that made her swallow her words. At that moment, he was like a stranger to her. “I’m sorry.”

“Speak to your sister, make sure no one finds out anything or there will be consequences. Do you understand?”

Aurora nodded and retracted her hand immediately. Her mind was replaying Asher's words in a loop, and she completely missed the concerned look Asher gave her before he left quietly

“To everyone else, you are my brother’s widowed wife. I am Asher Lucretia, but you are married to Kaius Lucretia, the heir of the Lucretia conglomerate.”

She slowly walked back to the bed in a daze. At that moment, everything made sense to her but at the same time, it left her confused with even more questions. Just as the tears that pooled in her eyes were about to drop, there was another knock on the door. This time she didn't get up to answer it, secretly nursing the hope that it was Asher but instead, it was Melanie, her mother-in-law.

Her eyes were puffy and her makeup a bit smudged; clearly, she had been having issues with her emotions too. “Aurora, can I call you Rory? That is what Indigo calls you’

Aurora nodded blankly. “Yes ma'am.”

Melanie frowned a bit at the distant address from her, but quickly masked it with a smile. “I’m so glad to see you looking all better,” Melanie’s voice shook a little. “The family doctor showed up earlier to check you, Doctor Charles said you are exhausted and needed lots of rest. It was your lack of sleep and strong mental shock that caused you to pass out.”

Aurora nodded slowly with a distant look in her eyes. She was unsure of what to say. “I promise to take care of myself from now on.”

Melanie shook her head lightly before sitting by the bedside then she took her hands in hers. “I’m so sorry that you have to go through all this, Aurora. You are so young, it's unfair that this had to happen to you.” Her voice softened in the end at the end of her words, as she gently stroked Aurora's hair

Aurora felt very guilty after what she had found out from Asher but she couldn't muster the courage to tell the truth. No matter what Asher planned, Melanie was a mother who had lost her son and the pain of losing someone you cared about was very unbearable. “Mother, I…” Aurora started, but the words got stuck in her throat.

.“You don’t have to say anything, but I want you to promise me one thing.”

“What is that?”

“ That you would take care of yourself. Even though Kaius is gone, you’re still young, and you are free to get married again, the Lucretia family would support you and I'm sure that's what he would want” Melanie’s eyes pooled with tears as she thought about her dead favourite child. “ He was always busy with work but he still tried to spend time with me and now I can't help but think about all the things I didn’t get to say to him.”

No one knew who moved first but the two women hugged each other, Melanie broke into tears, moving Aurora to tears too. Unknown to Melanie, they were crying for different reasons.

“We should start getting ready for the memorial service. It’s going to be tough, but we’ll get through it together.” Melanie said as they broke the hug.

"When would it hold?"

"In two days," Melanie’s expression softened as she saw the clear eyes without deceit but determination within them. “The memorial service will be a beautiful celebration of Kaius’ life. There will be friends, business partners and family members present to share stories of him.”

Aurora was trying to process her thoughts but she had to be strong, for Melanie’s sake and for the sake of the role she was supposed to play – Kaius’ wife. “What can I do to help?”

“Just be there, dear. Everyone would be surprised to know he was married and to a stunner too”

Aurora blushed in embarrassment, she had to lie, to play the role of Kaius’ wife. “You and your sister would be staying till the memorial service right?”

Aurora nodded with a smile. “Yes.”

“We’ll order some outfits for both of you, we don’t want unnecessary talks and rumors after the memorial as it would be covered by the press.”

“I understand Mother.” Aurora could see that the Lucretia family was very prestigious and every reporter would be eager to catch a glimpse of any of the members of the family.

” Thank you dear,” Melanie found herself liking Aurora more and more.“I’m so sorry about earlier, I didn’t mean to break down as I did.”

“You don’t have to apologize, Mother. I’m here for you, just like you’re here for me.”

Melanie took a deep breath, composing herself, reverting to the demeanor of a wee bred high-class woman. “I should let you rest. But before I go, can I get you anything? Do you have any requests? Don't be afraid to ask”

Aurora shook her head, forcing out a smile. At that moment, she needed some time alone with her thoughts. “No, thank you.”

“I’ll always be here for you, Aurora. Now, get some rest. We'll talk more later. The maid would be here to get you for dinner.”

When Melanie left the room, Aurora barely let out a sigh before the door swung open once again, this time it was Lyla. ‘Another one.’ She said inwardly, fighting the urge to slam the door shut and yell at everyone.

“He-” She barely said a word before she was interrupted.

“I’m curious to k

now how you seduced my brother.”