Chapter 6
Owen pulled out his keys, unlocked the door, and shoved Aurora inside.
Aurora steadied herself and looked around.
Owen's place wasn't big, but it was cozy and spotless, filled with the warmth of a family of three.
On the wall hung a photo of Owen, Evelyn, and their daughter Lily. Toys were scattered across the couch, and a plate of fruit sat on the coffee table.
The scene hit Aurora like a thousand needles, piercing right through her battered heart.
Just then, Owen's pager buzzed. It was an emergency call from the hospital.
He picked up, and within seconds, his expression darkened. "I'm on my way."
Then Owen turned to Aurora, his face icy and emotionless. "You're not leaving until you understand what you did wrong."
With that, he walked out and locked the door from the outside.
"Owen, open the door. Let me out." Aurora rushed to the door, slamming her fists against it, screaming as loud as she could.
But the only answer was Owen's footsteps fading away as he hurried downstairs.
Aurora called out for help, but no one responded.
As she was about to break down, she heard a key turning in the lock.
Aurora's head snapped up, thinking Owen had come back.
Instead, Evelyn and her daughter walked in.
As soon as Evelyn saw Aurora, a mix of emotions flickered in her eyes. "Aurora? What are you doing here?"
Evelyn stepped forward, trying to help Aurora up, but Aurora jerked her hand away and steadied herself, her tone icy. "Don't touch me."
Evelyn put on her most aggrieved face. "Aurora, Owen called and told me to keep an eye on you. He's afraid you'll sneak out again and make more trouble for him."
Aurora's gaze lingered on the family photo hanging on the wall, and it felt like a knife twisting in her heart.
Owen and Evelyn were the real family here. To Owen, she was an outsider who didn't count.
She turned her eyes back to Evelyn and sneered, "You've always loved picking up my cast-offs, ever since we were kids."
Evelyn's expression faltered for a second.
Aurora continued, "You took my clothes, my toys, the room I used to live in, and now you're after my guy. I'm done with Owen. That jerk's not worth it."
Evelyn's face turned bright red. "Aurora, what are you saying? Owen's always loved me. You used your money to force him to stay with you."
'Forced?' Aurora let out a cold laugh, her gaze icy as she stared at Evelyn.
Lily, standing nearby, tugged on Evelyn's sleeve and pointed at Aurora. "Why is that bad lady in our house? Didn't Dad say she's crazy and we should ignore her and stay away?"
Kids said whatever came to mind, but Aurora felt a cold stab in her heart.
Owen'd always hated her.
'Why did he lie to me for so many years?' Aurora thought.
Evelyn quickly pulled Lily behind her, shooting Aurora a wary look.
Lily poked her head out and kept going, "Dad's always nice to Mom. He kisses me and Mom every day, takes us to the park, and buys me new dresses.
"You should leave. Our family doesn't want you here. When you're around, Mom and Dad aren't happy."
Every word from Lily hit Aurora like a slap, sharp and merciless. "Fine, I'll go."
She never wanted to come here anyway. She didn't need to stick around and let them humiliate her any longer.
As Aurora was about to leave, Lily suddenly pulled an embroidery needle out of her pocket and stabbed it hard into Aurora's exposed forearm.
Aurora hissed in pain.
The sudden sting made Aurora instinctively swat the needle away.
The moment the needle hit the floor, Lily plopped down and burst into loud, gut-wrenching sobs.
Right then, Owen rushed back after dealing with the emergency.
As soon as he opened the door, Lily rushed over, holding up her hand and bawling, "Daddy, it hurts. The bad lady stabbed me with a needle."
At that moment, Aurora was clutching her injured arm, cold sweat breaking out all over her.
Before she could say a word, Owen's face was livid as he scooped Lily up and strode over. "Aurora, are you out of your mind? How could you hurt a kid?"