Chapter 2

"Still so high and mighty, even when you're trying to make amends, Aurora."

"Too bad you're out of luck. Blair and I are getting married any minute now."

Julian Thorne pulled the shy Blair Sterling closer, then shot me a contemptuous glance, as if daring me to find a flicker of sadness on my face.

I was in my heavy wedding gown, ready to walk to the stage and announce my *own* wedding reception was abruptly called off.

My fiancé's flight was delayed; he wouldn't make it back today.

Seeing me move, Julian reached out, blocking my path, a frown on his face. "Aurora, are you deaf? I'm talking to you."

The murmuring guests instantly fell silent, turning to stare.

"I remember Leo's condition – only the specialized medication developed by Thorne Pharmaceuticals can keep it in check."

"Aurora," he sneered, swirling the drink in his hand, then deliberately splashing it onto Blair's gown right in front of me, "if you get down on your knees and *lick* that stain clean off her dress, maybe I'll consider helping you."

When he saw me bend down, the fury in his eyes intensified. He gritted his teeth. "Looks like Leo means a lot to you!"

I shook my stinging palm, my voice suddenly piercing. "Julian Thorne!"

"Leo is *your son* too!"

Julian's lips curved into a smirk. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb.

"Oh, really? I was blind back then, couldn't see anything. For all I knew, you were messing around with anyone you pleased."

A wave of humiliated rage surged through me. I clenched my fists.

Knowing this wasn't the time to argue, I took a deep breath and walked to the center of the stage.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, today's wedding reception has to be temporarily canceled. My apologies, everyone."

Before I could finish, the microphone was knocked over.

Julian yanked my wrist hard, the atmosphere around him dropping instantly.

"Aurora Vance! This is the Thorne family's wedding! Don't you think it's childish to try and get my attention this way?"

I looked at him calmly, a small laugh escaping my lips. "Is it?"

"Don't you know your stepfather, Marcus Blackwood, is marrying *me*?"

My words landed like a bomb, and the entire room erupted in gasps.

Everyone knew the story: how the former golden boy went blind saving me.

And how I, a brilliant, groundbreaking surgeon, gave up my career and returned to family life for him.

Blair quickly stepped forward, trying to smooth things over.

"Ms. Vance, if you truly still love Julian, you shouldn't be publicly humiliating the Thorne name in front of all these people."

"I'm not bringing up how you tried to frame me with that fake bullying video back then, switching out your face for mine. But now, for my sake, can't you just—" *Agh!*

"Aurora, are you insane!"

Julian rushed to Blair, checking her reddened face, glaring at me with fury.

"Your son's specialized medication? The Thorne family would rather trash it than sell it to you!"

"And don't forget, Aurora, your parents are still in the nursing home under my name."

Seeing my silence, he assumed I was scared. A sneer touched his lips. "Get down and apologize."

"What choice do you have now?"

I tilted my head back, forcing the tears away, suppressing the ache in my eyes.

"My parents?" I roared, "My parents were used for drug trials and *killed* by your precious Blair Sterling!"

"Julian Thorne, Leo almost died because of your so-called punishment. You sent Leo and me to a war-torn country where we nearly got blown to pieces."

"You think I still have feelings for you?"

I scoffed, pulling out a brand-new marriage certificate and thrusting it at him. "This 'old woman' is now your legal stepmother!"

"You touch me, and your stepfather won't let you get away with it!"

His fingers trembled as he snatched the certificate from my hand, shaking his head in disbelief.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his temple.

Unfamiliar memories surged, and amidst the terror, the fragmented recollections began to overlap with my face.