Chapter 2 The Stare

• "Yes!" Caspian's reply came swiftly and resolutely.
• His words struck Aurelia hard, causing her heart to clench painfully and throb with ache. Caspian mumbled a quick sorry and hurried off.
• She watched him walk away, feeling her heart ache deeply. A cold breeze crept up from her feet, sending shivers down her spine.
• When Caspian assumed leadership of the Draegen Family, the business was teetering on the edge of collapse, and its finances were in disarray. Given the company's instability, he couldn't guarantee her a secure future, but he promised to marry her once they steadied.
• Aurelia clung to Caspian's promise for years, standing by him as he advanced from nothing to success in the business world, longing for an earlier wedding. Only now did she realize she meant little more to him than a deal, despite their three years together.
• After all, I'm the one who truly loved him through and through! All my efforts and sacrifices in the past three years meant nothing to him, Aurelia thought bitterly.
• Her teeth clenched as she fought back tears streaming like pearls slipping from a broken necklace. Her heart cried in pain, making her body shiver uncontrollably.
• Standing by her, Elara sneered at her pathetic state and taunted, "Aurelia, considering your lack of education and background, why would Caspian marry someone like you if not for your persistence all these years? It's time to make a wise choice and leave us!"
• Elara's words cut deep. Aurelia countered, "Do you forget that there would be no Draegen Family without me?"
• "How dare you! Do you truly think you matter? The Draegen Family will flourish without you!" Elara pointed accusingly, her anger palpable.
• Aurelia's heart sank at Elara's words, silently questioning, Is this how the Draegen Family sees me?
• "That's it! Enough for today. Take a good look at yourself. You're a shame. The Draegen Family cannot be associated with someone like you." Caspian's mother, Mariana Duskwood, rose abruptly and disdainfully loomed Aurelia.
• With a forced smile, Mariana turned to bid farewell to the leaving attendees.
• Aurelia stood there, seeing the attendees leave in pairs. Her mind reeling. How did my eagerly awaited wedding become such a farce? Why do my heartfelt efforts result in such disdain? Just because I love a man who can't love me back?
• She closed her eyes slowly, tears flowing down her cheeks once more. She felt fragile and helpless, like shattered glass.
• Half an hour later, the lost Aurelia strolled along the empty street. Suddenly, rain started to fall from the sky—a drizzle that rapidly intensified into a heavy rainstorm. With no refuge in sight except for a leaky bus stop, she hurried barefoot towards it.
• The rain grew stronger, cutting into Aurelia's feet like icy shards. She winced in pain, gritting her teeth as she limped toward the bus stop.
• Beep! A sharp horn pierced the silence as a fast car advanced, causing Aurelia's eyes to widen in fear.