The proposal Aurora had dreamed of? A total sham. Just a stunt by her boyfriend, Marco, to make his first love, Sofia, jealous.

The second she said, "I do," Sofia stormed in, tears and all, wailing that she'd changed her mind—that she couldn't let him marry someone else.

And just like that, they were in each other's arms, celebrating their grand reunion. Meanwhile, Aurora stood there, the punchline to a cruel joke.

"I do!"

Aurora Diaz beamed, holding out her hand, waiting for Marco Ramírez to slide the ring onto her finger. Their friends cheered.

Marco knelt, reaching for her—

Then a tearful voice shattered the moment.

"Enough! I give up! Marco, I won't let you marry someone else!"

Aurora's stomach dropped. Before she could move, Marco shot to his feet, leaving her behind like she was nothing, and pulled Sofia Blanco into his arms.

Tears streaked Sofia's face. "I admit it—I can't just stand by and watch you propose. I can't!"

"Don't worry, I was only putting on an act with her. I knew you couldn't handle it. But now that you've finally admitted your feelings... will you stop running from me?"

His voice was warm, devoted—like he hadn't just been promising forever to someone else.

Aurora stood there, numb, as Sofia nodded. As Marco lifted her, spinning her in pure joy. As the crowd cheered for them, like this was how it was always supposed to be.

No one noticed her.

Even when she got shoved aside, nearly falling, no one cared.

It wasn't until the cheers died down that Marco finally turned her way—still holding Sofia's hand.

"Sorry, Aurora. Sofia and I made a bet. I wanted her to stop running from me, so I pretended to date you. You didn't take it seriously, right?"

He was talking to her, but his eyes never left Sofia.

Unbelievable.

The hugs, the kisses, even moving in together—it was all fake. A stupid game to get another woman to confess.

She'd never been anything more than a joke.

"Come on, like Marco would ever marry a common girl like her."

"They've known each other forever. There was never room for anyone else."

"She was probably after his money... But hey, you gotta admit, Aurora's got the looks. Bet she was fun while it lasted."

Aurora clenched her fists behind her back, nails digging so deep they broke skin.

The sharp sting snapped her back to reality.

She forced out a calm, even tone. "Oh, same. I was just playing along. Honestly, I was trying to figure out how to break up without bruising Marco's ego, so this worked out perfectly. Congrats."

A flawless smile. No cracks. But Marco just stared, like he couldn't believe how easily she let go.

She didn't give him—or Sofia—another glance. She turned and walked away.

"Prof. Serrano, about the Fremoran dance troupe's invitation... I've decided to accept."

She strolled through the snow-dusted streets, phone pressed to her ear.

"Good! You kept saying you needed time to think—I was worried you'd let a little romance hold you back from such a great opportunity," Professor Serrano's voice bubbled with relief.

A flicker of self-mockery crossed Aurora's face. "I wasn't thinking clearly before. Sorry for making you worry. You helped open this door for me—I won't waste it. I'll be on the plane in a week."

Hanging up, she let out a bitter smile.

How stupid she'd been—almost throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime chance for something as worthless as love.

By the time Aurora got home, it was late.

She unlocked her phone—only to be met with a fresh post from Marco.

A photo of his and Sofia's hands, fingers intertwined. On Sofia's delicate ring finger, the engagement ring gleamed under the light, its diamond obnoxiously massive.

[An unforgettable day—I've found the love of my life.]

Aurora let out a quiet laugh.

Marco had never once acknowledged their relationship publicly. She'd brushed it off, thinking it was just how he was. But now, it was obvious—he never saw her as someone worth claiming.

No hesitation. She blocked him.

They'd met on a rainy night. She'd been tutoring when the student's father got too close, hands where they didn't belong. She barely escaped, running blindly through the downpour—until Marco found her.

And she'd fallen.

She, who had never cared for anyone before, had taught herself how to love. She learned how to make him happy, how to be the perfect girlfriend—nursing him when he was sick, soothing him when he was down, doing everything right.

And for what?

She really thought she'd earned a place by his side.

Like an idiot, she believed giving it her all would actually matter.

But in the end, it was nothing.

***

The next day, Aurora made sure her makeup was flawless—no trace of last night's mess. She had plans to finalize with Professor Serrano, and everything was set.

But as she was leaving, she ran into Sofia on the staircase, clutching some ridiculously expensive gift, clearly on her way up.

Something twisted in Aurora's chest, but she kept her mouth shut. Not worth it.

Sofia, though, visibly tensed. She'd been gunning for Professor Serrano's only grad student spot, but seeing Aurora walk out of Professor Serrano's place? That wiped the smug look right off her face.

Then she spotted Marco approaching.

In a snap, she latched onto Aurora's arm, her grip iron-tight.

Aurora flinched, shaking her off—

Sofia yanked her down with her.

Aurora fell.

Marco rushed forward—

Straight to Sofia.

Aurora slammed onto the ground, her head cracking against the last step. Blood seeped into her hair.

"Sofia, are you okay?"

Marco didn't even look at Aurora. He cradled Sofia like she was made of glass, scanning her for injuries, like she was the only one who mattered.

Sofia, perfectly fine in his arms, still played the fragile act. "I think... I upset Ms. Diaz. I didn't mean to."

Only then did Marco glance at Aurora, sprawled at the bottom of the stairs.

His gaze barely lingered before shifting away.

"You swore you didn't care, but now you're hurting innocent people? You're only making me hate you more."

Aurora's head was still spinning, but Marco's words hit like a bucket of ice water.

So this was how it was.

Even if she was lying here, bleeding, she was still the villain.

She ignored him and turned to Sofia instead. "Then let's call the cops. Let's see who's actually to blame."

Marco had never heard Aurora sound so indifferent before. It twisted something in his chest.

"Fine, call them. You think I—"

Sofia paled and yanked his sleeve before he could finish.

There were no security cameras, but if the cops started checking for fingerprints or evidence, things could go south fast.

"Forget it," she murmured. "I'm not hurt. No need to make a scene in front of Prof. Serrano's house. Let's just drop it. I'm sure Ms. Diaz didn't mean to."

Marco frowned, holding Aurora's gaze just long enough to make it a warning before finally backing off.

Aurora looked away, forcing down the dizziness as she turned and walked down the stairs.

***

Outside, Aurora pressed a tissue to her bleeding wound, waiting for a cab.

It wasn't long before Marco and Sofia came down, both looking pissed. Even better? They still had all the expensive gifts they'd brought—completely untouched.

Guess Professor Serrano hadn't even bothered humoring them.

Aurora watched, barely hiding her amusement. Seeing them this frustrated? Totally worth it. Even the pain from her injury felt a little less sharp.

Sofia glanced up, caught Aurora watching, and flushed in humiliation. She ducked her head, tugging at Marco's sleeve. "Do you think Ms. Diaz said something to Prof. Serrano?

"Otherwise, I don't get it. Why wouldn't she even let me present my work before shutting me out?"

Marco's expression darkened.

Aurora had to be behind this. Still bitter about what happened and trying to sabotage Sofia just to prove something—and maybe get his attention.

Too bad it wasn't gonna work.

Pulling Sofia into his arms, Marco stepped up to Aurora. "I don't know what you told Prof. Serrano, but if I find out you're playing dirty, you'll regret it."

Aurora met his glare without flinching. "Maybe your girlfriend should try being competent for once instead of blaming me for her failures."

Marco's expression darkened further. He was about to snap back when his gaze caught on the blood streaked across her face.

He hesitated.

She really had hit the stairs hard. Was she seriously hurt?

Sofia noticed his shift in focus. Her eyes flickered before she tightened her grip on his arm. "Marco, I feel a little dizzy... I think my blood sugar's low."

Instantly, his attention snapped back to her. "You're dizzy? I'll take you to the hospital."

Without another word, he scooped her up and walked off, not sparing Aurora another glance.

Aurora watched him disappear, then let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.

She got into her cab and left without looking back.