Chapter 4 Trapped

The next morning, Albert woke up feeling uneasy. He couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped in a marriage he didn't want.

He got out of bed and walked to the window, looking out at the gardens. He thought about Aurora and how he had married her without knowing her.

He didn't know what to do. He felt like he was stuck in a nightmare.

Just then, Maria knocked on the door. "Good morning, sir," she said.

Albert turned around. "Good morning, Maria," he said. "I need you to call Aurora for breakfast."

Maria nodded. "Right away, sir," she said.

As Maria left to call Aurora, Albert couldn't help but think about his situation. He had married a woman he didn't know, and now he was stuck with her.

He walked over to the breakfast table and sat down, waiting for Aurora to arrive.

A few minutes later, Aurora came down wearing the same clothes.

"Good morning," Aurora said, feeling uneasy.

"Good morning," Albert replied. "I see you're still wearing the same dress."

"Yes, I am," Aurora said. "I didn't bring any other clothes with me."

"Why not?" Albert asked.

"I didn't have time to pack," Aurora said. "I didn't expect to be married and brought here so suddenly."

Albert nodded. "I see. Well, we can't have you walking around in the same dress every day."

"Thank you for understanding," Aurora said.

"Maria!" Albert called out.

"Yes, sir?" Maria replied, entering the room.

"Get some clothes for my wife," Albert said. "She didn't bring any with her."

"Yes, sir," Maria said. "I'll get Emily to bring some up right away."

"Thank you, Maria," Aurora said.

"You're welcome, ma'am," Maria replied.

"Emily will bring some clothes up to you," Albert said. "In the meantime, let's finish breakfast."

"Okay," Aurora said.

As they continued eating, Albert couldn't help but notice how beautiful Aurora looked, even in the same dress she had been wearing for days. He felt a pang of guilt for not noticing earlier.

"Thank you for getting me clothes," Aurora said, breaking the silence.

"You're welcome," Albert replied. "I'm sorry again for not noticing earlier."

"It's okay," Aurora said. "I understand."

After dinner, Albert leaned back in his chair and looked at Aurora. "We need to discuss something," he said.

"What is it?" Aurora asked, looking curious.

"I want to know everything about you," Albert said. "I don't even know why you agreed to this marriage."

Aurora hesitated. "I...I was in a difficult financial situation," she said. "Kylee offered to help me. She said she needed someone to replace her in her arranged marriage to you, and that she would be back after five years."

Albert's eyes widened. "What? That's absurd! Why would Kylee do that?"

Aurora shrugged. "She said she needed the money, and that she would make sure I was well taken care of."

Albert shook his head. "I had no idea. I thought I was marrying Kylee, not you."

Aurora looked down. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do."

Albert sighed. "Well, we're married now. Tell me more about yourself and yourself?" He asked.

Aurora nodded. "Okay," she said. "But where do I start?"

"Start with your family," Albert said. "Who are they? What do they do?"

Aurora took a deep breath. "My mother's name is Sarah," she said. "She's a kind and gentle soul"

"What about your father?" Albert asked.

Aurora's expression changed. "My father...he's not a good person," she said. "He was abusive and cruel. My mother left him when I was young."

Albert's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry," he said. "That must have been difficult for you."

Aurora nodded. "It was," she said. "But my mother did her best to raise me on her own."

Albert nodded. "And what about your work? You're a model, right? Why aren't you more popular? You're certainly beautiful enough."

Aurora laughed, a bitter sound. "It's not just about looks," she said. "It's about connections, and luck, and a lot of other things. I've just never been able to catch a break, I guess."

Albert frowned. "That doesn't make sense," he said. "You're talented, and you're beautiful. There has to be something else going on."

Aurora shrugged. "Maybe it's just not meant to be," she said.

Albert leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "I don't believe that," he said. "I think there's more to it than that. And I'm going to find out what it is."

Albert nodded. "And what about your mother? I remember you mentioning that she was in the hospital. How is she doing?"

Aurora's eyes dropped, and she fidgeted with her hands. "I...I haven't actually seen her yet," she said. "I was supposed to visit her, but then Kylee asked me to replace her in the marriage, and I didn't have time."

Albert stormed out of the room, leaving Aurora in tears. But as he walked away, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. He had threatened Aurora, used her mother's illness against her. What was he becoming?

As he walked, his mind began to wander back to Kylee. He couldn't believe what she had done to him. She had manipulated him, used him for her own gain. And now, he was stuck in a marriage with a stranger.

He thought about how much he had loved Kylee, how much he had wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. And now, she was gone, and he was left with Aurora.

He couldn't help but wonder what his life would be like if Kylee had stayed. If she had been honest with him, if she had loved him truly.

He felt a pang of regret, of longing. He wished he could go back in time, make things right with Kylee. But he knew it was impossible.

As he reached his room, he slammed the door shut, feeling angry and hurt. Why had Kylee done this to him? Why had she left him with Aurora?

He paced back and forth in his room, trying to make sense of it all. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he might never know the truth. And that thought was unbearable.

Albert's eyes locked onto Aurora's, his expression serious. "I want to see your parents," he said. "I want to know the truth about your situation."

Aurora's eyes widened, fear flashing across her face. "I...I don't know if that's a good idea," she stammered.

Albert's grip on her hand tightened. "If you're lying to me about what you said today, Aurora, I don't know if I can ever trust you," he said. "And if I find out you're deceiving me, I don't think I'll ever be able to look at you the same way again."

Aurora's face went white, and she pulled her hand away. "I...I haven't deceived you, Albert," she said. "I swear, everything I told you today was the truth."

Albert's expression didn't soften. "I hope so, Aurora," he said. "Because if I find out otherwise...let's just say I have leverage. Your mother is lying in the hospital, isn't she? I could make sure she receives the best care...or not."

Aurora's eyes went wide with horror. "You wouldn't," she whispered.

Albert's face was cold. "Try me," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. And if you're hiding something from me, Aurora...you'll regret it."

Aurora's face crumpled, and she buried her face in her hands. "Please, Albert," she sobbed. "Don't hurt my mother. She's innocent in all this."

Albert's expression didn't change. "I'll be the judge of that," he said. "Now, let's get one thing straight: I'll be visiting your parents tomorrow, and I expect the truth. No more lies, Aurora. Or else."

It was rumoured that Albert is controlling , I'm and arrogant she hoped he isn't like that.