Chapter 5 The Unlucky Star

Michael Winston-such a promising young man, yet what a pity..." Robert Wells put down his teacup and shook his head with feigned regret. "He has the destiny of being unlucky. I heard that his parents, and even his only sister, died..."

Aurora Wells sat quietly in the corner on a single sofa, as if she had melted into the shadows behind her. Her slender fingers unconsciously stroked the hem of her skirt, and her expression remained calm-like a pool of stagnant water.

Why did the master arrange for her to marry such a man? She couldn't figure it out. She decided she would contact the master later and seek clarification.

The moment Ruby Wells caught the words *Nochen Group*, her eyes flickered with interest. Immediately, she interrupted, "Dad, are you talking about Mr. Winston from Nochen Group? Nochen was the biggest sponsor of the talent show I participated in before! Mr. Winston and I... we can be considered to have a little friendship."

She deliberately spoke ambiguously, as if she shared a close connection with Michael Winston, making her relationship with him appear more significant than it was.

If she could cling to the powerful Winston family, her status in the Xia and Jin families would be more secure. Perhaps, if she played her cards right, she could even use this opportunity to soar to new heights, transforming herself into a phoenix!

Robert Wells took the bait. His eyes lit up, and he asked in surprise, "Oh? Ruby, you know Mr. Winston? That's great! You truly are worthy of being my daughter-you're so capable!"

Ethan Wells, who had remained silent until now, quickly echoed, "That's right. Ruby is really young and promising, unlike some people who only know how to idle away their days at home."

He glanced meaningfully at Aurora, his words dripping with mockery.

Aurora didn't even bother to lift her eyelids. She had long since grown numb to these hypocritical praises and sharp insults. She could see through Ruby's little schemes with ease.

Lucas Wells smirked and added sarcastically, "Exactly. Look at Ruby-she has the aura of a proper young lady. Now, look at *some* people. They're so timid they can't even make an appearance in public!"

Aurora felt nothing.

She had long since seen through the true faces of these people and was far too tired to engage in pointless arguments.

Ruby Wells, a noble young lady?

*Heh.*

She didn't see it. All she saw was a woman brimming with vanity and hypocrisy.

Robert Wells looked at Ruby with growing satisfaction. He couldn't help but sigh emotionally, "Ever since Ruby came, our family has been getting better and better. Unlike before, when we were constantly dragged down by a certain someone!"

His gaze sharpened as he glared fiercely at Aurora. "I think you're the same as Michael Winston-an unlucky star!"

Aurora's fingers curled slightly, her eyes turning cold.

An unlucky star?

She would rather be a lonely star than associate with these people.

"You're useless." Ethan scoffed, his tone filled with impatience. "You just stay at home and live off the family! Look at Ruby. She's successful in her career at such a young age and can even contribute to the family. And you? What can you do, besides plotting and scheming?"

Aurora lowered her gaze, hiding the pain that flickered across her eyes.

She thought she had become numb to their words, but Ethan's cutting remarks pierced through her heart like a sharp blade.

It wasn't that she had done nothing-it was that they had never cared enough to acknowledge what she was truly capable of.

Under the guidance of her master, she had become proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, medicine, and martial arts. Yet, in the eyes of the Wells family, these were nothing more than trivial and useless skills.

"That's right," Lucas chimed in with a sneer. "You're always suspicious, always assuming the worst of people. Look at yourself-you don't carry the grace of a noble lady at all. On the other hand, Ruby, despite coming from a poor background, has a temperament that's a hundred times better than yours!"

Aurora's heart sank.

She didn't understand.

Why had even Lucas-who had always been the gentler one-become so bitter and sarcastic?

Was she really that worthless in their eyes?

Instinctively, her gaze drifted toward Vivian Wells, her mother.

In the past, during moments like these, Vivian would always step in with a few soft words of comfort. But today, she merely lowered her head and sipped her tea in silence.

Was even her mother going to abandon her?

Aurora's heart turned ice cold.

She understood her mother's struggles. Vivian had little influence in the family and was often powerless to change anything.

Even so...

Even though Aurora understood, she couldn't suppress the aching loss settling in her chest.

At that moment, Ryder-her former fiancé-casually wrapped an arm around Ruby's shoulders, looking at her with a doting expression.

"Ruby is truly my good wife-gentle, considerate, and understanding." His voice was filled with admiration before he suddenly paused, his eyes glancing toward Aurora. "Unlike *some* people..."

He deliberately trailed off, the contempt in his gaze making his meaning all too clear.

Aurora felt her chest tighten as if an invisible hand had clenched around her heart, making it hard to breathe.

Once upon a time, Ryder had spoken to *her* in that same affectionate tone, whispering those same corny love words.

But now, the words remained unchanged-only the woman beside him had.

The tenderness and devotion in his eyes were no longer meant for her.

Things had changed.

Now, that affection belonged to someone else.

Ryder turned back to Robert Wells and said casually, "By the way, Dad, I plan to take Ruby to meet Mr. Winston tomorrow. Do you think that would be appropriate?"

Aurora let out a bitter chuckle.

She finally understood.

From beginning to end, Ryder had never loved *her* as a person.

What he had truly loved was her identity as the daughter of the Wells family.

But now, in the eyes of the family, Ruby held more *value* than she did.

Aurora Wells closed her eyes.

Her heart was completely dead.

She could no longer feel anger, nor pain-only an endless numbness, as if all emotions had been drained from her soul.

The evening arrived, and with it, the long, insufferable conversation finally came to an end.

Ryder suddenly put on an air of generosity and smiled. "Dad, Mom, Ethan, Lucas-it's rare that everyone is free today. Why don't I treat everyone to dinner tonight?"

Robert Wells waved his hand dismissively. "No need. You young people can go out and enjoy yourselves. Your mother and I will just eat something simple at home."

Ethan Wells quickly chimed in, nodding in agreement. "That's right. You and Ruby can go have a romantic date. We won't get in the way."

As he spoke, he winked at Ryder, his tone full of playful insinuation.

Lucas Wells adjusted his glasses, speaking in his usual calm and indifferent manner. "I have something to do tonight. You two go ahead."

Ryder chuckled, taking it all in stride. "Alright then. Mom, Dad, Ethan, Lucas-we'll be heading out first."

Then, without hesitation, he reached for Ruby Wells, pulling her into a possessive embrace. She giggled softly, leaning into him as if they were the most affectionate couple in the world. The two of them practically couldn't wait to leave.

Aurora sat in silence, her fingers curled tightly around the fabric of her skirt.

Even now, she found it hard to believe that this was the same man who had once sworn eternal love to her.

Had it all been an illusion?

Was she really that blind?

Before she could dwell on it any longer, she stood up, her face completely devoid of expression, and without saying a word, walked straight toward her room.

The moment her back turned, Robert's temper flared.

"Stop right there!" His furious voice echoed through the room like a whip, sharp and commanding.

Aurora halted mid-step, but she did not turn around.

"Do you still have any respect for this family?" Robert thundered, his voice laced with disappointment and rage. "You're just leaving like that? Where are your manners?"

Ethan immediately jumped in, eager to add fuel to the fire. "That's right, Aurora! What was that deadpan face for? Who were you trying to impress?"

Lucas, ever the voice of cold reason, adjusted his glasses and said disapprovingly, "You have no sense of propriety. Do you even know how to show respect to your elders?"

Aurora stood motionless, her hands tightening into fists at her sides.

She should have expected this.

This family had never wanted her to express her true feelings. They only wanted obedience. They wanted a puppet who would nod, smile, and accept every humiliation with gratitude.

Seeing the rising tension, Vivian Wells quickly stepped in.

"Enough," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Aurora isn't feeling well. Let's not argue over something so trivial."

She turned to her daughter, her eyes filled with silent understanding. Without saying another word, she placed a soft hand on Aurora's shoulder and gently guided her forward.

"Go back to your room and rest," she whispered.

Aurora did not resist.

Without another word, she stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

The noise from the living room became a muffled hum, but she knew the conversation was still ongoing-accusations, complaints, and grievances, all directed at her.

She had long since grown used to it.

Leaning weakly against the door, Aurora exhaled a shaky breath.

She wasn't heartless.

But she had been hurt so many times that she had simply become numb.

No matter how much she tried to fight back, it was pointless.

She was a lone warrior in a battlefield where the enemy was her own blood.

And now, she had no strength left to fight.

Her gaze slowly shifted to the dresser in the corner of the room.

Atop it sat a single, inconspicuous envelope.

She had received it a week ago. The sender's name had been unfamiliar, and at the time, she had hesitated to open it.

But now, something inside her told her that whatever was written in that letter might be the key she had been waiting for.

A way out.

A secret long buried.

Or perhaps... a truth she had never been told.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for it.

She took a deep breath, slid her nail under the seal, and pulled out the letter.

The moment her eyes landed on the first line, her heartbeat quickened.

"Aurora, there is something you need to know.**

The family you have trusted your whole life... has been lying to you."**