Chapter Four:Stay
844 Words
Aurora stared out the car window as the black Rolls-Royce pulled through the towering iron gates of the Romano Estate.
The moment the car stopped, servants lined up at the entrance.
Every pair of eyes landed on her.
Some were curious.
Others were judgmental.
She lowered her head and stepped out.
Before she could thank Damian and hurry inside, Sophia Romano's sharp voice cut through the silence.
"So, the rumors are true."
Aurora's heartbeat quickened.
She turned to find Sophia standing at the top of the marble staircase, her posture as regal as ever. Isabella stood beside her, her expression unreadable.
Damian walked past Aurora.
"I gave her a ride home. That's all."
Sophia descended the stairs gracefully.
"A ride home in your personal car? For a maid?"
Damian's jaw tightened.
"She saved my life."
"And we compensated her medical bills."
"That isn't enough."
Sophia's gaze shifted to Aurora.
"You may leave."
Aurora nodded immediately.
"Yes, ma'am."
She hurried toward the servants' quarters, her injured shoulder throbbing with every step.
She knew better than to remain where she wasn't wanted.
That evening, Aurora sat alone on the edge of her small bed.
Her resignation letter lay on the table in front of her.
She picked it up.
Folded it.
Then unfolded it again.
"I have to leave," she whispered to herself.
This place had become unbearable.
The whispers had already started.
"Did you hear? Mr. Damian carried her."
"She's trying to seduce him."
"She thinks saving his life will make her the next Mrs. Romano."
Aurora squeezed her eyes shut.
None of it was true.
She had never wanted anything from Damian except for him to be happy.
Even if that happiness could never include her.
A knock sounded on the door.
She quickly wiped her eyes.
"Come in."
The head butler stepped inside.
"Mr. Damian wishes to see you."
Aurora frowned.
"Me?"
"Immediately."
Damian's study was silent except for the ticking of an antique clock.
He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his hands tucked into his pockets.
Aurora stopped a respectful distance away.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
He turned.
His sharp grey eyes settled on the envelope in her hand.
"What's that?"
She hesitated.
"My resignation letter."
His expression hardened.
"You're resigning?"
"I think it's best."
"For who?"
She looked down.
"For everyone."
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Damian spoke.
"No."
Aurora blinked.
"...Sir?"
"I won't accept it."
She stared at him in confusion.
"I've already made up my mind."
"So have I."
His voice remained calm, but there was an authority that made arguing difficult.
"You were injured because of me."
"I chose to do that."
"Which is exactly why you're staying."
Aurora shook her head.
"I don't need pity."
"This isn't pity."
"Then what is it?"
The question hung between them.
Damian found himself unable to answer.
He didn't know.
Duty?
Responsibility?
Gratitude?
Whatever it was, letting her walk away didn't sit right with him.
"You'll remain here until you've fully recovered."
"And after that?"
"We'll discuss it."
Aurora smiled sadly.
"You still don't understand."
His brows furrowed.
"What?"
"I can't stay."
Before he could ask why, she placed the resignation letter on his desk.
Then turned and walked out.
The following morning, the estate buzzed with preparations for Damian and Isabella's engagement photoshoot.
Designers arrived.
Photographers unpacked expensive equipment.
Luxury cars lined the driveway.
Aurora quietly avoided the main house.
She didn't want to witness another reminder of the future Damian had chosen.
She was watering flowers in the rear garden when a voice startled her.
"You must be Aurora."
She looked up.
A handsome young man in a navy suit smiled warmly.
"I'm Adrian Romano."
Damian's younger cousin.
Unlike Damian, Adrian always wore a smile.
"I've heard a lot about you."
Aurora offered a polite nod.
"Good morning, sir."
"You don't have to call me 'sir.' Makes me feel old."
She couldn't help but smile.
It was small.
Barely noticeable.
But Damian saw it.
From the balcony above.
For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of Aurora smiling at another man unsettled him.
His gaze lingered longer than it should have.
Down in the garden, Adrian laughed at something Aurora said.
Damian's jaw tightened.
Without another thought, he turned and headed downstairs.
As Adrian reached for the watering can, a deep voice interrupted.
"Aurora."
She spun around.
"Mr. Romano."
Damian's eyes briefly met Adrian's before returning to Aurora.
"The doctor said you need to rest."
"I'm only watering the flowers."
"I'll have someone else do it."
"It's part of my job."
"Not anymore."
Aurora frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Damian looked directly at the head gardener.
"She's relieved of outdoor duties until her shoulder heals."
The gardener nodded immediately.
"Yes, Mr. Romano."
Aurora stood speechless.
She wasn't sure whether to feel grateful...
Or trapped.
As Damian walked away, Adrian leaned closer with a grin.
"I think my cousin is worried about you."
Aurora quickly shook her head.
"No."
She looked toward Damian's retreating figure.
"He's just repaying a debt."
But deep down...
She wasn't entirely sure anymore.
- Writer
