Chapter 34
Tina had barely greeted Aurora before diving straight into last night’s events at Parker Manor.
Her tone held a thinly veiled jabs, challenging Aurora to meet up and “chat”
Aurora didn’t dwell on it, she’d chosen the coffee shop
shop nearby for their meeting, where she’d now waited for over thirty minutes.
She told herself she’d give Tina three more minutes, or she’d walk out.
Just as that thought crossed her mind. Tina walked in.
Her freshly styled hair and striking makeup gave her a runway–ready look,
Instead of yesterday’s white dress, Tina wore a vibrant peacock–blue cocktail dress.
was more elaborate, adorned with swinging tassels at the waist
The color matched the one Aurora had worn yesterday, though Tina’s dress was n
Aurora’s gaze lingered on Tina, and she gave a faint smile. “Oh, Ms. Hacker, you like peacock blue too! But…isn’t that last year’s collection?”
Unfazed Tins took her seat across from Aurora with a slow, deliberate air. “You’re right, Miss Sage. It’s from last year. But it’s not quite the same as yours. She paused, an almost shy smile curving her lips. “Last year, Maverick saw me wearing this dress and bought a matching tie. Said it’d be nice to show people I was spoken for when we went out together.”
Aurora held back a laugh, her smile sharper. “Ms. Hacker, you’re sure about that? Which the are you talking about?”
“Yesterday’s, of course. You didn’t notice! Maybe he thought I’d wear this dress for my first day back. It’s okay. Miss Sage, your dress was not bad,” Tina replied, running her fingers over the details on her dress with a smug look,
Aurora teased as she swirled her cup. “No need to lie just to one–up me, Ms. Hacker. That tie! I picked it for him. Need to see my receipt?”
Tina’s face hardened. She had planned to use the matching colors as her opening move, hoping to make Aurora doubt her place in Maverick’s life. but now it was her plan backfiring spectacularly.
Her expression twisted as she glared at Aurora “Auroral Let’s cut to the chase. I’ve been with Maverick for two years. You’re the one intruding! 1 suggest you step aside–I’m the one who belongs by his side!”
Aurora raised her eyebrow, and she met Tina’s anger with cool amusement. “But I’m his wife now. The whole world knows. And you? Do you think anyone even knows you?”
She gestured toward the other patrons in the coffee shop, her tone taunting. This confidence seemed to overshadow the energy Tina brought in
curlier.
Aurora smirked to herself. Honestly, Tina gets the nerve to lie so boldly, she thought, amused. And as for their history… well, that doesn’t mean anything now. After all, everyone has a past.
“Your” Tina spluttered, toofurious to form a coherent response. Then, her expression abruptly shifted, and with a sudden motion, she slapped herself. “Miss Suge, can’t you speak nicely! What’s with the slap?”
Tina’s face flushed with red, a clear handprint marking her cheek, eyes brimming with tears.
The slap rang out in the coffee shop, drawing every patron’s attention–including Maverick’s as he walked in.
The moment he saw Aurora, lie crossed the room to her in three quick strides. But Tina stood up, seizing his arm, her tone a blend of accusation and pour. “Maverick, look at the woman you married! I only invited her for coffee, and she slappede! Nobody ever hit me!”
Her eyes darted to his chest, clearly disappointed when she realized he wasn’t wearing the tie she expected him to. She had chosen her outfit just for this moment.
Aurora sighed, shaking her head. “Ms. Hacker, could you be reasonable? I was nowhere near you.”
Tina ignored her, clinging to Maverick. “Maverick, my face really hurts… Will you take me to the hospital?”
The patrons stared, their expressions unclear, as though trying to untangle the relationships between the three. Two women are fighting over one man they thought.
Maverick slipped his arm free from Tina’s grasp, his tone flat. “Ms. Hacker, you can go to the hospital yourself. “There’s no special relationship between us. My wife is Aurora, and I’d appreciate it if you stopped harassing her. Otherwise… well, let’s just say you won’t be staying in Ravin City
When Maverick said someone wouldn’t stay, he meant it. And from his sone, he didn’t mind sending the entire Hacker family packing. Tina paled,
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Chapter 3:
hastily releasing his arım.
The sight of Maverick stirred something in Aurora. This
the
first time they’d seen each other since the night before. He looked as striking as
ever, his tailored suit adding to his effortlessly commanding presence.
This is the man 1 have chosen. No matter when he looks incredible, Aurora thought.
Yet the memory of him leaving early this morning without a word cast a shadow over her thoughts. Leaving me alone after last night—no sentiment at all, she thought
Maverick didn’t seem concerned with what either woman thought. With Tina subdued, he took Aurora’s hand and guided her out of the coffee shop.
Bernard hadn’t followed, and the only car available was the one Maverick had driven.
He shoved Aurora into the passenger seat, her arm twisted painfully as she let out a small gasp. He gritted his teeth, feeling a pang of guilt, but didn’t look back. Silently, they headed back to the island, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
The ride passed in tense silence. Maverick was frustrated, rushing back only to find her missing, while Aurora was just as annoyed by his rough handling
The car rolled into the garage, the darkness closing around them. Maverick finally broke the silence, his voice tense. “Why were you wandering off?”
Finding out Bernard had lost track of her had nearly sent him into a panic. He’d been ready to turn Ravin City upside down to find her.
The fear that she could be kidnapped again had consumed him, while she, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered.
Aurora gave him a calm look. “I’m fine, aren’t I?”
She opened the door and stepped out, brushing past him. Maverick’s knuckles went white on the steering wheel as he watched her leave. In a swift move, he grabbed her arm and pressed her against the garage door. “Why did you ditch Bernard?”
