Chapter 4

(Aurora’s POV)

I closed the door behind me as I entered my small, cozy apartment. The warmth of home enveloped me, but my heart felt heavy with the weight of the day’s events. I slipped off my shoes and sank into the couch, my thoughts replaying the conversation with Mr. Skylar.

His words had been kind, his intentions genuine, but the enormity of what he was asking still felt overwhelming. I sighed, leaning my head back and staring at the ceiling.

“This isn’t just a marriage,” I murmured to myself. 

“It’s... so much more”.

I reached for my phone, hesitating for a moment before opening the search bar. My fingers hovered over the screen, but I knew I couldn’t avoid this.

‘Skylar brothers’

As I pressed enter, countless articles, photos, and videos appeared. The internet was teeming with news about them…each of Mr. Skylar’s sons was a public figure in his own right.

Owen, the eldest son. He was the stern-faced heir to the Skylar business empire, always impeccably dressed, always exuding control. Yet, in one photo of him at a company event, I noticed his grip on the podium was too tight, his expression too rigid.

Then there was Ryan, the entrepreneur, his vibrant energy captured in candid shots from networking events. His success radiated from every frame, but I detected a restlessness in his eyes, as if he were chasing something he could never quite catch.

Then came Asher, a global superstar with millions of fans. His photos showed him on red carpets, flashing his dazzling smile, but I remembered the faint sadness I had noticed in his eyes when Rain showed me his picture.

Finally, Ian, the youngest, appeared in photos from college football games. His boyish charm was evident, but so was a sense of longing, as if he were caught between the expectations of his family and his own dreams…A boy still figuring out his place in the world.

I scrolled further until I found a family portrait. It was a polished photo, taken at what appeared to be a gala. Mr. Skylar proudly stands in the center, his four sons flanking him. At first glance, they appeared to be a picture-perfect family, but as I studied it closely, the cracks became evident.

The brothers stood apart, their body language stiff, their smiles practiced rather than genuine. Even in the presence of their father, there was a palpable distance between them, as if they were strangers forced to play a role for the camera.

“This is what he meant,” I whispered. 

“They’re together, but not really ‘together’”.

I could see it now, this family, for all its wealth and success, was fractured.

I set my phone down and stared at the ceiling, my mind swirling. Mr. Skylar’s words echoed in my head, “They’ve drifted apart. They need someone who can bring them back together”.

My parents’ worried faces surfaced in my thoughts next, their quiet sacrifices and their desperation to secure a better future for me. I felt the weight of their struggles, the silent plea in my father’s voice when he had spoken of the proposal.

I picked up the phone again and stared at the family photo. My chest tightened as I thought of Mr. Skylar’s faith in me, my parents’ sacrifices, and the lonely eyes of the Skylar brothers.

“They all need something,” I murmured. 

“Maybe… maybe I can help them”.

I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, the decision settling over me like a heavy but firm cloak.

“For my parents… and for Mr. Skylar,”I said softly. 

“I’ll do this”.

My heart ached with the enormity of my choice, but for the first time in days, I felt a strange sense of calm. I didn’t know what awaited me in the Skylar family, but I was determined to face it head-on.

Next minute, I dialed Mr. Skylar’s number. It rang twice before his calm, confident voice answered.

“Aurora,” He said, his tone warm. 

“I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon”.

“I’ve made my decision,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions within me. 

“I’ll marry your sons” There was a brief pause before Mr. Skylar’s relieved voice replied.

“That’s wonderful news. You’ve made me very happy, Aurora”.

“But,” I interjected firmly. 

“There’s a condition” The pause this time was longer, and I could sense his curiosity. 

“Go on”.

“This marriage will be a contract marriage. I’ll stay with your sons and do my best to bring them together as a family. But once they’re united…once they don’t need me anymore, I’ll leave” I said, gripping the phone tightly.

The silence that followed was deafening. I bit my lip, wondering if I had pushed too far. But then Mr. Skylar’s voice returned, calm and measured.

“A contract marriage,” He repeated slowly. 

“You’re asking for an exit plan”.

“Yes!” I said firmly. 

“This isn’t just about me, Mr. Skylar. Your sons deserve to choose their future once they’re in a better place. And I… I don’t belong in their world… forever”.

There was a pause on the other end, the silence stretching long enough for me to wonder if he was rethinking his offer.

Finally, Mr. Skylar spoke, his voice steady. 

“If that’s what it takes, then so be it. But I truly believe that in time, you’ll become more than just the glue that holds them together. You’ll be part of this family, Aurora. Perhaps even in ways you can’t yet see”.

My grip on the phone tightened. I wasn’t ready to agree with him, but I appreciated his sincerity.

“Thank you” I said simply, my voice soft.

After ending the call, I sat in silence, staring at the photo of the Skylar family still open on my phone. The weight of my decision settled over me, and I wondered what lay ahead.

For my parents, for Mr. Skylar, and for the distant brothers in the photograph, I was about to take a step into the unknown.