Chapter 10

Aurelia walked in a bit of a hurry, her heels clacking sharply against the marble floor.

The rhythm matched the pounding of her heart - hard and chaotic.

She had thought she was past all this after two months of numbing herself, but now, running into him like this out of nowhere, that carefully built wall instantly crumbled.

Falling in love might only take a second, but getting over someone... who knows how long that really takes?

As soon as she stepped out of the hotel, the cold night breeze hit her and finally cleared her messy head a little.

She looked up at the pitch-black sky and smiled, that kind that felt more like letting go.

So what if there's love or not?

She'd made her decision to walk away, and she wasn't planning on looking back.

So what if love didn't show up?

Aurelia wasn't about to be anyone's emotional hostage. She just needed to remind herself - from now on, she was living for herself.

Outside the hotel, Aurelia paused, took a deep breath. The storm inside her had more or less settled.

Zara watched her, worry in her eyes. "Aurelia, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Aurelia reached out and gently pinched her nose. "Don't look at me like I'm some pitiful little wreck. If my brother or the others saw that look, they'd blow up the place."

Zara sighed softly. She was probably the only one who really knew what those three years in Northvale had been like for Aurelia. It hurt to know, but she also respected why Aurelia didn't want her family finding out.

Because if they ever did... yeah, Northvale might just burn to the ground. And as for Finnian... well, he'd be in pretty deep trouble.

Sure, Aurelia kept saying she was over it, but Zara couldn't help but worry that the Bennett family might really go after Finnian.

Love and heartbreak - Zara hadn't been through it herself. She didn't have any wise advice to give, just that she'd always be there for her.

"Aurelia, I'll go grab the car - can you wait here a bit?" she asked while draping her shawl over her shoulders.

Aurelia pulled it closer. "Yeah, go ahead."

Zara studied her for a moment. Seeing that she looked reasonably calm now, she turned to get the car.

Aurelia stood quietly, her eyes taking in the distant lights flickering across the cityscape.

She remembered - winters in this city could be painfully cold.

Footsteps approached from behind.

Aurelia's lashes fluttered slightly, but she didn't move. Deep down, she already knew who it was. You can't avoid it forever. She closed her eyes briefly, took a breath, and told herself to stay cool.

"Aurelia!"

Her wrist was suddenly grabbed. She didn't fight it.

The grip was tight, dry palms, fingertips a little cold.

He turned her around, forcing her to face him - those deep black eyes locking with hers.

She knew that gaze too well. But right now, it was so dark and intense, it felt like he was ready to slice her open with it.

Three years of marriage, and this was the first time she'd ever seen Finnian so clearly rattled.

Funny, how they were so unfamiliar with each other that even his anger felt like something new.

"Mr. Dawson, please show some respect." Aurelia's lips curled up a little, the corners of her eyes lifting. Her smile was gorgeous - just didn't quite reach her eyes.

Finnian stared at her, and that irrational panic came rushing back.

His handsome face was stormy, jaw clenched tight. "Don't you think I deserve an explanation?"

"Explanation?" Aurelia chuckled dryly. "Sorry, I don't quite see what I need to explain to you."

From his pocket, Finnian pulled out a folded document and held it up in front of her. "How about you explain this, then?"

The moment Aurelia saw it, her face froze.

Why did he have that report?