Chapter 5 Nightmare

Aurora walked into her room, feeling defeated and trapped. She couldn't believe what Albert had said to her, the way he had threatened her. She felt like she was living in a nightmare.

As she looked around her room, she noticed something that made her heart skip a beat. There, on the bed, was a collection of clothes, shoes, bags, and perfumes. They were all expensive, designer labels.

"Wow," she breathed, running her fingers over the soft fabrics. "He really knows how to buy gifts."

But as she looked closer, she saw something that made her stomach turn. A note, attached to one of the bags.

Aurora felt a wave of nausea wash over her. He didn't even know her, and yet he was buying her gifts like they were going out of style.

She began to pace back and forth in her room, thinking of ways to escape. She could run away, but where would she go? She had no money, no friends.

As she paced, her eyes landed on the clothes and shoes again. She had an idea. Maybe, just maybe, she could use these to her advantage.

"I'll play the perfect wife," she muttered to herself. "I'll pretend to be grateful, pretend to love him. But all the while, I'll be looking for a way out."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was Maria, the maid.

"Ma'am, I brought you some tea," Maria said, setting a tray down on the bedside table.

Aurora forced a smile. "Thank you, Maria. That's so sweet of you."

Maria smiled back. "You're welcome, ma'am. I hope you like the gifts Mr. Albert brought you."

Aurora's smile faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly. "Oh, yes. They're beautiful. Thank you for helping him choose them."

Maria beamed. "It was my pleasure, ma'am. I'll leave you alone now."

As Maria left, Aurora let out a sigh. She had a long road ahead of her, but she was determined to escape this marriage, no matter what it took.

Aurora hadn't even had a chance to rest for a few minutes before she heard a knock at the door. She got up to answer it, wondering who it could be.

When she opened the door, she was surprised to see an elegant woman standing in the hallway. The woman was in her late 50s, with silver hair and piercing blue eyes.

"Can I help you?" Aurora asked, feeling a little nervous.

"Hello, dear," the woman said, smiling. "I'm Victoria, Albert's mother. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Aurora's eyes widened in surprise. "No, not at all," she said, trying to composed herself. "Please, come in."

Victoria swept into the room, her eyes taking in the clothes and shoes scattered all over the bed. "Albert's been shopping, I see," she said, raising an eyebrow.

Aurora laughed nervously. "Yes, he has. He's very generous."

Victoria sat down in a chair, her eyes fixed on Aurora. "I wanted to talk to you about Albert," she said. "I know you two didn't exactly have a traditional courtship, but I want you to know that I'm glad he's found someone like you."

Aurora was taken aback. "Thank you," she said, feeling a little confused. "That means a lot coming from you."

Victoria leaned forward, her eyes serious. "I know Albert can come across as a bit...prickly," she said. "But he's a good man, deep down. And I think he needs someone like you to bring out the best in him."

Aurora wasn't sure what to say to that. She didn't know if she wanted to be the one to bring out the best in Albert. But she smiled and nodded, trying to be polite.

Victoria leaned forward, her eyes serious. "I know Albert can come across as a bit...prickly," she said. "But he's a good man, deep down. And I think he needs someone like you to bring out the best in him."

Aurora was taken aback. "Thank you," she said, feeling a little confused. "That means a lot coming from you."

Victoria smiled. "I'm just being honest," she said. "I've known Albert his whole life, and I've never seen him like this before. He's always been a bit of a loner, but there's something about you that's brought him out of his shell."

Aurora shook her head. "I don't know what to say," she said. "I'm still trying to get used to all of this myself."

Victoria nodded understandingly. "I know it can't be easy," she said. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what. And I have to say, I'm much happier about Albert's marriage to you than I ever was about his engagement to Kylee."

Aurora's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she asked. "Why's that?"

Victoria's expression turned cold. "I never liked Kylee," she said. "She was always so...fake. So concerned with appearances and material things. I never thought she was right for Albert."

Aurora felt a pang of surprise. She had never expected Victoria to say something like that.

"What do you mean?" she asked, curious.

Victoria leaned back in her chair. "I mean that Kylee was never genuinely interested in Albert," she said. "She was only interested in what he could do for her. And I think Albert knew that, deep down. But he was blinded by his love for her."

Aurora nodded, starting to understand. "And you think I'm different?" she asked.

Victoria smiled. "Yes, I do," she said. "I think you have the potential to be very good for Albert. You're not like Kylee at all."

Just as Victoria was about to continue, Albert burst into the room, a look of annoyance on his face.

"Mother, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice firm.

Victoria turned to him, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "I was just having a conversation with your wife, dear," she said.

Albert's eyes narrowed. "I don't think that's a good idea," he said. "Aurora and I need to talk, not you."

Victoria stood up, her expression unyielding. "I was just trying to get to know her, Albert," she said.

Albert's face darkened. "I said I don't want you interfering, Mother," he repeated. "Please let's talk"

"Dlnt worry I will be right back"

Victoria's eyes flashed with anger, but she knew better than to push Albert too far. She turned to Aurora, her expression softening.

"It was nice talking to you, dear," she said. "I hope we can do it again soon."

Aurora nodded, feeling a little awkward. "Yes, that would be nice," she said.

Victoria swept out of the room with Albert.

Albert's expression turned cold. "She's not my wife, Mother," he said, his voice firm. "And soon, she won't even be that. We'll be divorced within 55 years, just like I planned."

Victoria's eyes widened in shock. "Albert, what are you talking about?" she asked. "You can't just divorce someone like that."

Albert's jaw clenched. "I can, and I will," he said. "I only married her to find out why Kylee did what she did. And once I have my answers, I'm done."

Victoria's face fell. "Oh, Albert," she said. "You're still hurting from what Kylee did, aren't you?"

Albert's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not hurting, Mother," he said. "I'm just determined to get to the truth. And I wish you would stop discussing Aurora with me as if I loved her. I don't. She's just a means to an end."

Victoria looked taken aback by Albert's harsh words. "I...I just want what's best for you, dear," she said.

Albert's expression softened slightly. "I know, Mother," he said. "But please, just stay out of this. I need to handle it my way."

Victoria sighed, looking disappointed but not surprised. "Fine, Albert," she said. "I'll stay out of it. But please, be careful. You're playing with fire here."

Albert nodded, his expression unyielding. "I can handle it, Mother," he said. "I just need to know why Kylee did what she did. And I need to know if Aurora is involved somehow."

Victoria shook her head. "I don't think Aurora is involved, Albert," she said. "She seems like a nice girl. And she's definitely not like Kylee."

Albert's eyes narrowed. "That's what I'm trying to figure out," he said. "Why did Kylee choose her? What's so special about Aurora?"

Victoria hesitated, looking unsure of how to answer. "I don't know, Albert," she said finally. "But I think you should be careful not to hurt Aurora in your quest for answers. She's an innocent party here."

Albert's expression didn't change, but Victoria could see a flicker of doubt in his eyes. He wasn't as convinced of his plan as he seemed.

"I'll be careful, Mother," he said finally. "But I need to know the truth."

Victoria nodded, standing up to leave. "Just be careful, Albert," she repeated. "You're not the only one who could get hurt here."