Aurora Chapter 37
Posted on March 06, 2025 · 1 mins read
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Chapter 37

Stacy’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint of calculation flashing as she leaned closer. Her voice, soft yet persuasive, purred, “Once she gets addicted, we can control her and make her do whatever we want.”

Jason drummed his fingers on the armrest, considering her words. His mind drifted to the substantial assets Victoria, Aurora’s mother, had amassed at Woodside Capital Management. Manipulating Aurora into relinquishing them would be far more lucrative than any ordinary business deal.

Jaxon smiled, appreciating Stacy’s cunning scheme.

Aurora was jolted awake by a stinging pain on her face. Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of Maura's swollen, bruised face, the malicious glee barely concealed beneath her smirk. Aurora regained consciousness.

“You bitch! That’s for slapping me!” Maura snapped, delivering several more stinging slaps as Aurora instinctively tried to retaliate. Her arms remained immobile; the ropes binding her wrists and ankles dug deeper into her skin, snapping her fully awake. The realization hit her—she’d been kidnapped. Maura, in contrast, was completely free, clearly enjoying Aurora’s helplessness.

“Well, what’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” Maura crouched, her eyes glinting with malice. “Or are you just too scared to speak?” She rubbed her reddened palm, wincing slightly. She’d hit Aurora harder than intended, and her hand burned.

Maura had regained consciousness before Aurora, thanks to Caleb and the cold, water-soaked cloth he’d used on her. Initially terrified, she’d been reassured by calls from her uncle and mother to Caleb, confirming her safety.

When Caleb offered to leave, Maura almost accepted. But the lingering pain from Aurora’s earlier slap rekindled her desire for revenge, compelling her to stay and watch Aurora suffer.

Ignoring the burning on her face, Aurora discreetly surveyed her surroundings. She was in an abandoned warehouse, with dust-covered, rusted machinery in the corners. A single flickering light bulb hung precariously from the rafters, casting weak, dim light across the floor. The warehouse’s vast size or the unstable rural power supply meant much of the space remained shrouded in shadow.

Maura’s lips curled into a cruel smile as she loomed over Aurora. “How the tables have turned,” she gloated, her once-pretty features distorted by malice. Aurora thought of her adoring classmates at Merrida High School; they’d be shocked.

Aurora’s eyes darted around, catching sight of the kidnappers near the entrance, chatting and smoking. They clearly didn’t consider her a threat, leaving only Maura to guard her.

Noticing Aurora’s gaze, Maura flew into a rage, slapping her repeatedly until Aurora’s face was marred with swelling and bruises. Yet, Aurora remained eerily silent, her gaze unwavering and resolute, a quiet storm brewing.

Maura shuddered under Aurora’s icy stare; a flicker of fear crossed her face. The memory of nearly drowning at Aurora’s hands lingered. But Maura quickly steeled herself, reminding herself she was in control. This internal struggle only fueled her anger, as if offended by her own momentary fear.

Grabbing Aurora’s hair, Maura yanked hard, forcing her to expose her throat. “How does it feel, huh? Not so fun when you’re the one getting your hair pulled, is it?” she sneered, her laughter tinged with hysteria. “I’m giving you a taste of your own medicine!”

But Aurora was far from idle. Around her wrist was a small, inconspicuous pendant, its design intricately crafted. Whether through overconfidence or oversight, the kidnappers hadn’t noticed—or cared—that it remained in place. Since regaining consciousness, her bound hands had been diligently working. With deft movements, hidden beneath Maura’s gaze, she maneuvered the pendant’s blade against the ropes, sawing away until they loosened. Even without the pendant, she would have found another way to free herself, albeit more slowly.

“My dear sister,” Aurora said in a deceptively casual voice, buying herself time, “aren’t you putting a lot of trust in these kidnappers you’ve never even met? And it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you be heading home? Staying out late isn’t exactly the behavior of a proper lady, now is it?”

She glanced towards the entrance, memorizing the kidnappers’ faces. It was pitch black outside, with insects buzzing in the weeds. It seemed to be around eight or nine in the evening.

Maura chuckled, straightening up. “You’re right. It is getting late, and I should head home. I’ve got school tomorrow,” she said casually, twirling a strand of hair—torn from Aurora’s scalp—between her fingers. “You guys, get in here,” she called to the men outside.

The three men stubbed out their cigarettes and strolled in with lazy grins, flanking Maura like obedient henchmen.

“Didn’t my mom say we have something special for her?” Maura dropped the hair, letting it scatter. She stared at it for a moment before stomping on it with a vicious grin, savoring the symbolic act of crushing Aurora.

Caleb approached with a small leather case. It opened to reveal a syringe filled with a thick, murky liquid.

Maura’s gaze bored into Aurora. “Do you know what this is? One shot of it, and you’ll be hooked for life.” She nudged her shoe forward, her voice dripping with venom. “But if you get on your knees and lick my shoe clean, I might just let you go. How about that?”

Maura paused, wondering how Aurora would respond. Her offer was a lie; she craved to watch Aurora’s pride crumble.

But Aurora didn’t react as expected. Bound and battered, she met Maura’s gaze with unsettling calm. Her eyes held not fear, but detached curiosity.

Rage bubbled inside Maura. “Tine,” she snarled, turning to Caleb. “Give her the shot!” After tonight, Aurora would be ruined forever, Maura thought.


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