LOGINAurora stared at her phone screen for a few moments before finally closing her laptop.Her first day back at work had been much easier than she had expected.Several reports had been completed.Her meetings with the department heads had also gone smoothly.Yet Darius's message kept stirring her curiosity.She picked up her bag and said goodbye to her secretary."I'm heading home.""Have a good evening, Mrs. Aurora."As soon as she stepped out of the building, a very familiar car was already waiting at the entrance.It wasn't the chauffeur.Darius himself was behind the wheel.Aurora opened the door and got in."You came to pick me up yourself?"Darius nodded."It's your first day back at work. I wanted to be the one to bring you home."Aurora smiled."Thank you."The car slowly pulled away from the Blackwood building.A few minutes passed.Aurora realized they weren't heading home."Where are we going?""You'll find out soon enough."Aurora laughed softly."You really enjoy keeping me
Aurora looked at Darius curiously."A surprise?"A faint smile appeared on Darius's lips."If I tell you now, it won't be a surprise anymore."Aurora laughed softly."At least give me a hint."He shook his head."Wait two more days."Aurora didn't press him.She knew her husband well enough.Whenever Darius wanted to keep something secret to make his family happy, there was no point in asking any further.The next two days passed more quickly than either of them had expected.That morning, the Harrington residence was unusually busy.Aurora wore an ivory business suit that had been tucked away in her closet for a long time.Hazel stood in front of her mother, looking her up and down."Mommy, you look beautiful."Aurora smiled."Thank you."Hazel nodded in satisfaction."You look just like you did in your office pictures."Aurora laughed."You still remember?""I do."Hazel picked up Aurora's work bag and handed it to her."Here."Aurora accepted it."Thank you, Assistant Hazel."Hazel
On the way to the aquarium, Aurora spent most of the drive gazing out the window.Peter's words still echoed in her mind.The leader of Blackwood will be returning very soon.It sounded like a simple sentence.But after everything that had happened, it carried far greater meaning.Darius glanced at her briefly."What are you thinking about?"Aurora smiled."I'm imagining the day I truly return to work."Darius nodded."So am I."Aurora turned to him."Won't you feel like you're losing something?""Why would I?""You've been leading Blackwood for the past several months."A faint smile touched Darius's lips."I was only looking after your home."Aurora didn't answer.His words filled her heart with warmth.When they arrived at the aquarium, Hazel immediately ran ahead, still holding Aurora's hand."Mommy, hurry!"Aurora laughed."Slow down."Darius pushed the double stroller.Aiden and Aria were still fast asleep.Hazel stopped in front of a massive aquarium."A blue fish.""A yellow f
Darius didn't answer immediately.His gaze shifted to Aurora, who was helping Hazel straighten her hat."All right. We'll be there."The call ended.Aurora looked at him."What is it?"Darius slipped his phone into his pocket."Uncle Peter asked us to stop by Blackwood for a while."Aurora frowned."Now?""Yes. He said the board of directors has made a decision."Aurora took a slow breath."Then let's go there first."Hazel immediately raised her hand."What about the fish?"Aurora crouched in front of her daughter."We'll go see the fish after Mommy finishes her business."Hazel thought for a moment."Promise?""Promise.""Then Hazel will be patient."A few minutes later, the car was back on the road.This time, their destination wasn't a place for recreation, but the Blackwood headquarters.When they arrived, Peter was already waiting in the lobby."I'm sorry for interrupting your family's plans."Darius shook his head."It's all right."Peter turned to Aurora."They're all waiting.
Aurora read the next few lines.The letter wasn't long.It contained only a few sentences explaining everything Darius had already told her.About the responsibility he had merely wanted to safeguard.About his promise to return Blackwood to its rightful owner.And about his hope that Aurora would never doubt the sincerity of the man who had become her husband.Aurora drew a slow breath.Without reading to the final page, she carefully folded the letter.Darius watched her."You're not going to finish it?"Aurora shook her head."I already understand."She slipped the letter back into the envelope."I don't need to read the rest."Darius frowned."Why?"Aurora looked at him."Because I've already heard the answer I needed most... directly from you."The atmosphere in the room felt much lighter than it had only minutes before.Aurora stood up.Then she walked toward the window."I'm sorry."Darius rose to his feet as well."I'm sorry too."Aurora turned to him."For what?""I was too c
Darius fell silent for a few moments.He looked at Hazel, who was still busy stacking colorful blocks on the carpet."Daddy, build the tallest tower," Hazel said cheerfully.Darius smiled faintly."In a minute."Then he turned his attention back to the phone call."So... you've received the envelope?""Yes.""Have you read it yet?""Not yet.""Why not?"Aurora looked down at the brown envelope resting on her lap."I want to hear your explanation first."Darius took a slow breath."Then come home.""Is that all?""I want to explain it while looking into your eyes."Aurora didn't answer.A few seconds later, the call ended.Throughout the drive home, Aurora glanced at the envelope over and over again.Darius's handwriting was exactly as she remembered it.Neat.Firm.Never rushed.Several times, she almost broke the seal.But every time her fingers brushed the edge of the envelope, she stopped herself.She wanted to hear everything directly from Darius.Not from a single sheet of paper.
Aurora read the message once more.The sentence was short. Straight to the point. Yet enough to make one thing clear—whatever awaited her there was not something simple.She didn’t reply.She didn’t delete it either.Aurora simply turned off her phone screen, then drew a slow breath. Within seconds
Silence.Only Aurora’s quiet breathing filled the room. Her gaze slowly shifted toward Hazel, who was still sleeping peacefully.A contrast.On one side… the baby’s world was calm.On the other… Aurora’s world was beginning to move in a direction she could no longer fully control.“What do you mean
That morning, the air felt colder than usual.But not because of the weather.Aurora stood in front of the police station.Her gaze was straight. Steady. Unwavering.Her steps were firm as she entered the building. Every step… carried purpose.Not to see.Not to confirm.But to confront.Inside the
Aurora said nothing more.Her gaze remained fixed on the man before her for a few seconds… before she finally turned away.Her steps were calm. Controlled.As if everything that had just happened… had left nothing behind.But that was only on the surface. Inside—everything was moving.Fast.Chaotic







