All Chapters of His Bride on His Twin Brother's Bed : Chapter 11 - Chapter 13

Aurora's POVThe storage room felt smaller than it had moments ago, the air thick with dust and the weight of unspoken histories. I stood motionless, the sealed yellowed envelope clutched tightly in my hands, its edges pressing into my palms like a warning. Naomi remained at my side, her breathing steady but alert. Aridian filled the doorway, his broad frame blocking the faint light from the corridor. For several long seconds, nobody moved. The only sound was the distant creak of the old mansion settling around us, as if Hawthorne Estate itself was holding its breath.I studied Aridian’s face. For the first time since his dramatic return, he didn’t wear the mask of calm confidence or dangerous intensity. He looked genuinely shocked, eyes locked on the envelope with raw, unguarded surprise. Not theatrical. Not calculated. Real. The sight sent a strange flutter through my chest. This was the man who had upended my entire world, yet something as simple as an old letter had pierced throu

Aurora's POVI spun around so fast I nearly dropped my phone. The flashlight beam jerked wildly across the dusty storage room before settling on Aridian. He stood in the doorway, calm and composed, as if he had been expecting this exact moment. My heart slammed against my ribs. Partly from surprise. Partly because his sudden appearances were becoming a habit I both feared and, in some twisted way, anticipated.“How long have you been standing there?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.“Long enough,” he replied simply. No real answer. I pointed toward the partially opened bookshelf, the dark gap behind it like a mouth waiting to swallow us. “You knew this was here?”His eyes shifted to the hidden opening. No surprise crossed his face. Just quiet familiarity. “Since I was twelve.”Twelve. The number hit me like a stone. “Twelve? How many secrets does this house actually have?”Aridian stepped closer, his presence filling the cramped space. “More than you can imagine.”I star