The Unwanted Wife, His Undeniable Daughter

k like you

e borrowed silver gown felt more like armor, its boning digging into her ribs, making each breath a conscious effort. She stood be

orcing a small, tigh

ed across the room, his jaw set. "Just

olite laughter of the guests dulling to a roar. She needed a quiet c

voice cut through the noise. "Auror

as perfect as the pearls at her throat. She held

hand instinctively moving to her

. "You just need some fresh air. Come with me. The

Aurora away from the crowd, towards the sweeping marble staircase that dominated the hall. Josef watched

arty faded below. "It's a beautiful party," Aur

he stairs, a wide, empty landing. Her voice, when it

ze, her hand tightening on t

ping closer. "You're a parasite, cling

, fluid motion. She grabbed Aurora's outstretched hand, yanking it towards her ow

t theatrically, horribly, down the first f

conversations died at once. A hun

gony. Her voice was a choked sob that echoed in the

so clear, so damning, no one questioned it. Whispers erupted like wildfire

re Carmelita had pulled it. The denial was a hot, useless lump in her throat. She

she s

y. He bypassed Aurora completely, not sparing her a glance, as if s

distant with Aurora, now filled with a frantic concern s

oor. A small, dark stain of blood was beginning

resh wave of panic throu

ly found Aurora's. The look in them was not just anger. It was a profound disg

he snarled, his voice a

leaving Aurora utterly alone, isolated in a sea of hostile stares. No one approa

her voice a raw whisper. "I didn't touch her." The w

was left shivering on the landing, the weight of a hundred fa

hed. Her face was grim, her eyes troubled. "We will speak la

party. The silence was absolute, amplifying the terror coiling in her gut. Hours passed. Josef n