Chapter 4 Marriage Partner

Aurora Wells turned on her phone and saw a boar-head avatar with thirty-two unread messages.

Clicking on them, she found they were all voice messages-each a full sixty seconds long.

"Aurora, be obedient and meet that young man this Sunday. I think he's a nice guy. He even sent your master a hundred-year-old wine. He's very satisfied with this marriage. Remember, his name is Michael Winston..."

Aurora was grateful to the old man for teaching her tirelessly, but his persistence on this matter grated on her. She had no intention of responding. Instead, she put down her phone and headed for a bath, washing away the filth from the day.

Later, lying on her bed wrapped in a towel, she was reading when the door creaked open.

"Aurora, can Mommy come in?"

Aurora immediately put down her book. "Of course, Mom, I'm still awake."

Her mother entered, carrying a plate of fruit. Clad in soft pink silk pajamas, her skin was smooth despite the faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. She smiled, and warmth filled the room.

"Mom." Aurora leaned against her mother's hand, resting her head on her arm.

No matter how difficult things got, as long as her mother was here, she had a reason to stay in the Wells family.

Mother Wells stroked her back gently. "Our Aurora has grown up. Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye."

Aurora's heart ached. She rubbed against her mother's arms like a child. "Mom, we still have many more twenty years ahead. I will always be by your side."

Her mother sighed. "Aurora, you're so sensible, but Mom can't help you with anything. Ethan and Lucas are too unreasonable, but they're grown now, and they don't listen to me."

Aurora's body stiffened. She had assumed her mother had come to check on her, to comfort her. Instead, she was here to talk about the afternoon's argument.

"Sometimes, being tolerant is enough. A harmonious family is the key to success, don't you think?" her mother continued gently.

Aurora's chest tightened.

"Tomorrow morning, Ruby will bring Ryder to discuss their engagement," her mother added, stroking Aurora's hair. "Don't be impulsive, okay? Be good."

Her fingertips were soft, her warmth familiar. But Aurora felt as though she were sinking into an abyss.

"I understand, Mom." She forced a smile. "I won't say anything unnecessary tomorrow, but I can't be absent. I'll give you face."

Her mother visibly relaxed, cupping her cheek. "Aurora is really Mommy's little cotton-padded jacket."

Aurora smiled until her face hurt. As she watched her mother leave, her eyes stung.

Her mother seemed to treat her and Ruby equally, but in the end, peace in the family mattered more to her than Aurora's feelings.

And what hurt most was that Ryder had never even spoken to her about marriage. Yet, in just two days, he was engaged to Ruby.

Aurora curled under the covers, pulling them over her head.

Lying in the dark, she opened her phone. Her screensaver was a man as gentle as spring. Standing by the lake, he fed the fish, the sunlight gilding his hair.

She stared at the image for a long time before replacing it.

###

Morning arrived with a drizzle in Winterhaven.

Ryder came bearing gifts, his smile polite and measured. "Hello, Auntie. Hello, big brother. Hello, second brother."

The Wells family sat gathered in the living room. Aurora, however, was in the corner, deliberately distancing herself.

As Ryder entered, his gaze flickered toward her, but she remained motionless-like a sculpture, hands neatly placed on her lap, expression unreadable.

Ethan beamed as he distributed the gifts. "Second brother, Ryder brought you a pen, brooch, and razor. Very practical, perfect for your cases."

Aurora barely blinked.

"Brother," Ethan continued, "he also customized diamond-inlaid electronics for you. And this is the Eiffel Tower, carved from rosewood. Ryder thought you'd appreciate it."

Her eldest and second brothers, one a lawyer and the other an architect, unwrapped their gifts with satisfaction, oblivious to the tension in the room.

When Ethan handed gifts to their mother, the atmosphere shifted.

"Mom, these are silk fabrics, skincare products, and a bag for you."

Mother Wells accepted them with a polite nod, but her enthusiasm had noticeably faded. She glanced at Aurora before asking, "Where's Aurora's gift?"

"Her? How dare she accept a gift?" Lucas sneered. "I don't think she wants it."

Aurora's fingers curled slightly, but her expression remained blank.

"Of course, there's something for my dear sister," Ethan said with an exaggerated smile, handing her a box. "A custom-made dress. Perfect for my wedding."

The implication was clear: Ryder was now Ruby's man.

Aurora remained silent, staring straight ahead. Ethan's baby-faced smile masked his true intentions, but she saw through it.

Lucas, impatient, snapped, "Aurora, this is a happy occasion! Who are you mourning for?"

She didn't react. Her stillness was louder than any retort.

"Enough," Ryder's deep voice cut through the tension. "We have guests. Stop making a scene."

The servant entered with tea, and Ethan smoothly transitioned the conversation. "I heard Uncle Ryder is involved in a lawsuit. If you need legal help, second brother is always available."

Ryder adjusted his glasses with a faint smile. "Second brother is busy. I wouldn't trouble him."

The conversation meandered to polite small talk, but Lucas never stopped glaring at Aurora.

Was she playing a game? Yesterday, she had bared her feelings. Today, she was the silent, wounded victim.

Aurora watched, unmoving. Every word, every glance exchanged in the room was a piece of the puzzle she was assembling in her mind.

Then came a knock at the door.

The room fell silent.

Ryder raised an eyebrow as Mother Wells stood to answer it.

Aurora's heart skipped a beat. Who would come unannounced at this hour?

The door creaked open.

A voice rang out from the hallway-familiar, unexpected.

"Is this the Wells family?"

Aurora's breath caught in her throat.

The last person she expected to see stood at the door.

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This version tightens the narrative, maintains the emotional weight, and ends on a compelling note-all while staying within the word limit. Let me know if you'd like any tweaks!