Ethan frowned. "What's with the sour face? It's not our fault you couldn't protect your baby."

"Ethan, don't say that about Rory. I'm sure she didn't mean to lose the baby," Xavier said, shielding Aurora.

"Fine, keep defending her, see where that gets you," Ethan sneered, cocking his eyebrow.

"Rory's my fiancee. Of course I'll defend her," Xavier countered, turning to stroke Aurora's hair.

At that moment, realization hit Aurora.

Xavier had defended her like this countless times in the past, and it was always after Ethan admonished her or put her down. Looking back, if Xavier had truly been protective of her, would his friend Ethan pick on her and tear her apart mercilessly?

The only reason she could think of was that Ethan and Xavier had colluded to manipulate her and make her pay for taking Violet's place in the Bowman family.

She suddenly found all this to be a farce. Squeezing out a smile, she said, "I should go get some rest in my room."

…

Aurora slept for a long time. She knew Violet and Xavier had swung by at some point, but she had no interest in dealing with them. And so, she pretended to be fast asleep.

But when she heard the sound of the door opening, followed by sniggering, she bolted upright in bed. She quickly pulled the blanket over her like a shield and demanded anxiously, "Who are you?"

Standing before her were a group of men and women she'd never met before. They didn't look like they'd come for a friendly chat.

"Did you forget about us already?" one of them sneered as the rest raised their eyebrows, cackling. "We go way back in school, remember? We're even regulars at the nightclub where you worked!"

Aurora's eyes wouldn't stop twitching. Her hand trembled as she grabbed her phone to call for help, but a short-haired woman snatched it away. "Don't bother trying to call Mr. Stafford for help. He's Violet's man!"

"Violet sent you?" Aurora asked in disbelief.

The short-haired woman slapped Aurora. "Keep Violet's name out of your filthy mouth, you bitch!" she hissed.

She forcefully tugged Aurora's blanket off and stared at her flat stomach, breaking into a wicked laugh. "Lost your baby, huh? That's what you deserved, you shameless woman! It's your fault for always flirting with old men and stealing Violet's man!"

The others chimed in, "You had that miscarriage coming!"

"I didn't do any of that." Aurora's face was deathly pale as she shook her head vehemently.

However, the short-haired woman wasn't satisfied. She punched Aurora in the stomach several times. "It's all your fault for upsetting Violet! May your womb rot, and may you never have children!"

Sharp pain exploded through Aurora's body. She summoned all her strength and strained to press the help button, but Violet walked in at that moment.

Violet looked elegant and beautiful in a long, white dress. "Stop! Aurora's my younger sister! I won't let anyone bully her!"

Chasing out Aurora's assailants, Violet approached Aurora's bed. "Are you alright? Those people are unbelievable!"

Aurora curled up and said feebly, "Unbelievable or not, they were acting on your orders."

Tears welled up in Violet's eyes as she said dejectedly, "I know you're angry and upset after dealing with something like that, especially since you've just lost your baby. But I don't know or have anything to do with this. How could I ever hurt you?

"It breaks my heart to see you like this too. Don't worry, Aurora. I promise I'll make those people apologize to you!"

With that, she reached for Aurora's hand.

"Don't touch me!" Aurora rasped, and it took all that was left of her strength to smack Violet's hand away.

Unbeknownst to her, Ethan and Xavier entered at that precise moment to see her lashing out at Violet.

"How dare you lay a hand on Violet?" Ethan thundered, slapping Aurora before pulling Violet behind him.

Xavier eyed Aurora coldly. "I'm disappointed in you, Rory. Violet flew all this way to look after you, and this is how you repay her kindness?"

"I wouldn't let her touch me because she had people come in here to beat me up!" Aurora's heart sank, and a tremor went through her body. She pointed at the marks on her stomach. "If you don't believe me, go check the security footage!"

"Why should we check the footage when we know Violet would never do something like that?" Ethan said through gritted teeth, "I bet you just can't stand the thought of Violet doing well and refuse to let her come home!"

Having said that, he took Violet's hand and led her out of the hospital room without a backward glance.

"For heaven's sake, Aurora," Xavier said. "Hating Violet is one thing, but making up a crude lie like that is an entirely different story. You have no idea how worried Violet is about you."

He sighed and produced a box of food. "She even told me and Ethan to buy you your favorite crab cakes. How could she possibly hire people to beat you up?"

Aurora laughed bitterly. She was allergic to shellfish and would never eat crab cakes. To think that she had loved Xavier for seven years, only for him to be unaware of her allergies and take another woman's side at first instance.

She took a deep breath and got out of bed, then led Xavier to the security control room. "See the footage for yourself."

In the footage, Aurora was seen getting beaten up by a group of people. They mentioned Violet's name clearly in the audio too.

Xavier clenched his fists. He gave Aurora a pained look, though his tone was stiff and cold as he said, "This doesn't prove that these people were working under Violet's orders. She even went into the room to save you.

"Rory, you should ask yourself why these people wanted to rough you up instead of putting all the blame on Violet."

The truth was laid out before him, yet he chose to side with Violet anyway.

Aurora couldn't help finding this exchange utterly absurd. Her heart grew so cold that it was practically frozen. She could no longer muster the strength to argue with Xavier.

"Fine," she said flatly. "I'll reflect on this."

Xavier frowned, anguish flickering in his eyes. He opened his arms and pulled Aurora into a firm hug. "Alright, that's enough. Violet wants to meet up for dinner tomorrow. You can apologize to her then. I'm sure she'll forgive you."

Aurora's nose burned as she buried her face in his shoulder. She forced back her tears.

She might as well treat the gathering tomorrow as a farewell meal, seeing as she would soon be married and settling down in Elmstead.

The next day, before Aurora was discharged from the hospital, Xavier jotted down the doctor's instructions and suggestions regarding her recovery. He held up the notebook and waved it in front of her afterward, seemingly proud of himself.

"Look at how much I care about you, Rory," he said.

Aurora nodded and said nothing.

They headed to the address of the fancy restaurant Violet had sent them after they'd packed Aurora's things at the hospital. Upon their arrival, they saw that everyone was already there. Even Xavier's mother had come.

"Xavier, you're here! Come sit with us." Xavier's mother, Beatrice Wilder, beckoned her son over to the seat beside Violet. She ignored Aurora as usual, even though Aurora was supposedly Xavier's official girlfriend and fiancee.

Ethan, however, didn't ignore Aurora. "What are you gawking at?" he snapped. "You're supposed to serve us and take our orders! You're the youngest one here, so shouldn't you at least respect your elders?"

Aurora thought Xavier would speak up for her, but his gaze was unexpectedly fixated on Violet. He didn't even once look at Aurora.

"Alright." Aurora lowered her gaze. She had no choice but to do as Ethan asked, pouring water for everyone at the table and taking their food orders.

When she reached Violet, a leg suddenly shot out from under the table and tripped Aurora. The drink she was holding spilled onto Violet's dress.

Violet gasped sharply, and everyone at the table turned to stare at her.

"What are you doing, Aurora?" This time, it was Xavier who chastised Aurora first. "My mom had that dress specially made for Violet. You may not like Violet, but that doesn't mean you can keep picking on her!"

Aurora's eyes reddened with tears, and she suddenly didn't know what to do with her hands. "It was an accident."

Xavier scoffed and helped Violet out of her seat. "Come on, I'll take you to the restroom to clean up."

"I knew a troublemaker like you shouldn't have come!" Ethan flew into a rage after Xavier and Violet left and grabbed a fistful of Aurora's hair. He then slammed her face into the table.

A lump instantly swelled on Aurora's forehead, and some blood even trickled from the wound. The pain had her sobbing, "Ethan, it really was an accident—"

Ethan's eyes were cold and vicious as he kicked her square in the chest. "I told you that Violet is the only sister I have. I won't have a lowly outsider like you pick on her!"

Aurora gritted her teeth as tears glistened in her eyes. In the end, she couldn't keep herself upright anymore and slumped to the ground.

"Quit acting like the victim and clean yourself up in the restroom," Ethan snapped, shooting her a disgusted look.

Aurora dug her nails into her palms, her fingers shaking as she bolted out of the dining lounge. She wasn't familiar with the layout of the restaurant, and it took her a while and plenty of wrong turns before she found the restroom.

However, she had only just stepped inside when she heard the amorous sounds coming from within.

"Your body is still as soft as ever, Violet…" Xavier's voice was a deep, husky melody and thick with desire.

Aurora froze. She couldn't bring herself to take another step into the restroom.

There was a light chuckle, followed by Violet's complaint delivered in a high-pitched tone, "Save your compliments. Don't act like you didn't sleep with Aurora when I was abroad the last few years."

"But I feel nothing for her!" Xavier argued defensively. "I'm only dating her so I can make her pay for what she did to you. I slept with her, but only so I know how to keep myself from hurting you in bed. I only used her for practice, Violet. My love and loyalty always belonged to you!"

Violet beamed as she pressed herself against Xavier's sculpted torso. "Was she really just practice to you? Do you swear you've never fallen for her?"

"Not even her body can tempt me. I've never fallen for her," Xavier said solemnly.

The blood drained from Aurora's face. At that moment, any hope she had for her and Xavier's relationship was crushed.

She remembered Xavier crying—a rare sight—after they slept together for the first time. She'd thought he'd loved her too much and been too nervous back then, but she was wrong.

The tears he'd shed at the time were not so much out of love as they were out of guilt, for he believed he'd cheated on Violet by sleeping with Aurora.

So what was their passionate lovemaking that first night supposed to be, then? Just a practice session for Xavier?

Ten minutes later, Xavier led Violet out of the restroom. Panic seized him when he saw Aurora standing outside, her face pale and tear-stained.

Xavier quickly dropped Violet's hand and hurried over to Aurora. He grabbed her hand as his heart thundered beneath his ribcage.

"Rory, what are you doing here?" he asked. "How long have you been standing there?"

Aurora's lips trembled as she tried her hardest to keep her tears from falling. She clutched the hem of her blouse with feeble fingers and lied, her voice cracking, "I accidentally bumped my head. I was going to clean up in the restroom, but this restaurant is so big that it took me a while to find one."

Anyone who paid close attention would have noticed something was off about Aurora, but Xavier merely heaved a sigh of relief and didn't probe further. He shot Violet a meaningful look, indicating that she should leave, then led Aurora over to the sinks.

"I've only been gone for a short while, and already you've hurt yourself this badly?" he chided, gently cleaning the gash on Aurora's forehead.

Then, he retrieved a Band-Aid from the shelf and carefully stuck it over her wound. "Looks like I'll have to stick with you every second of the day to keep you safe, huh?"

He placed a tender kiss on Aurora's lips and murmured, "Come on, let's skip the rest of dinner and go home."

A distant look registered in Aurora's eyes. She wondered how Xavier could keep playing this role so convincingly. Didn't he ever get tired of pretending?

However, she swallowed her questions. She'd be leaving soon, and she hoped her last three days here in this city would go by in a blur.

Upon returning to the apartment, Xavier lovingly cupped Aurora's face as usual. "Your birthday's in three days, Aurora. I'd like to get our marriage license on that special day."

Aurora went still. She had no idea that the day she moved away from this city would be her birthday.

When she didn't reply, Xavier quickly added for good measure, "Are you worried there'd be another accident to stop us from getting our marriage license, Rory? Don't worry, I promise everything will go smoothly on your birthday, including getting our marriage license."

She pursed her lips tightly as bitterness welled up in her. So, this was the plan Xavier had devised to mark the 100th time he got out of marrying her, by suggesting that they get their marriage license on her birthday.

She forced a smile, her heart like a withered rose within her. "Sure."

"We have a deal, then. Promise me you'll prepare for our big day, Rory," Xavier said, grinning before carrying her into the bedroom so she could rest. She didn't put up a fight.

…

The next day, Aurora was packing her suitcase when she realized she'd left the farewell gift the orphanage director had given her back at the Bowman residence. If the orphanage director hadn't taken her in after she got lost as a child, she might not have survived all these years.

Now that she was about to leave Nordura, the farewell gift from the orphanage director was the last sentimental connection she had left of this city.

She took a cab to the Bowman residence. Once she arrived, she made her way toward the front entrance and ran into Violet.

Violet bristled at the sight of Aurora. "Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for your big day with Xavier? You're getting your marriage license soon, so why are you here?"

Aurora brushed past her into the villa. She had no intention to pick a fight with Violet. "I'm here to take something of mine. It won't take long."

"I didn't say you could come in!" Violet stormed after Aurora, her gaze darting to the third floor. A sudden idea crossed her mind when she heard the faint laughter coming from upstairs.

Letting out a sharp cry, Violet pretended to have twisted her ankle and fell toward Aurora. The two women tumbled down the stairs, and Aurora ended up underneath Violet, cushioning the fall.

On the third floor, Ethan and Xavier heard the commotion and abandoned whatever they were doing. They bolted downstairs. "What's going on?"

Violet sobbed, "Aurora got upset at me and tried to pay me to leave! When I refused, she pushed me down the stairs!"

The vein near Ethan's temple throbbed. He raised his leg to kick Aurora in the chest, and she flew backward. Before she could recover, Ethan clenched his fists and roared at her, "What did Violet do to piss you off? All she wants is to move back home after returning from abroad!"

"I didn't push her…" Aurora lay on the cold floor, feeling as if her bones were shattered.

On the other side of the room, Xavier helped Violet up with a concerned look on his face. He looked her over, checking for injuries. It was only when he realized she didn't sustain any severe, visible injuries that he heaved a sigh of relief.

"Didn't I already promise you that we'd get our marriage license on your birthday? Why are you still picking on Violet? She didn't do anything to provoke you, did she?" Xavier asked, his eyes full of rage and disappointment as he came to a stop before Aurora.

"She was the one who pushed me. I didn't even touch her," Aurora tried to explain, clutching her chest as the pain drained the blood from her face and caused her to break out in a cold sweat.

"How dare you lie to our faces!" Xavier shouted and slapped her..

The blow hit her like a lightning bolt.

It was the first time in seven years that Xavier had laid a hand on her. She stared at him in disbelief, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Xavier's chest tightened. His hand was still trembling following the slap. "Why are you crying? You'd better think about what you've done and start feeling sorry about it, or I won't bother getting a marriage license with you!"