Chapter 161
Chapter 161:
Aurora took it. She stared at the bottle. “You remember p>
“I remember everything,” Elias said.
“Why do you care, Elias?” she asked quietly. “Sterling divorced me. Your family threw me away p>
Elias clenched his jaw. He looked out the window at the passing city lights.
“Sterling is a fool. And I am not my cousin p>
Aurora laughed, a dry, humorless sound. “You’re still a Thorne. Complicated. Dangerous p>
“I didn’t know how bad it was for you back then,” Elias whispered. He turned back to her briefly at a red light. His eyes were intense, burning with something that looked suspiciously like regret. “Sterling made a mistake letting you go. My only mistake was not finding you sooner p>
“I can handle Vivian,” Aurora said, deflecting. “I handled Sterling p>
“You don’t have to handle it alone,” Elias said. He leaned closer. The space between them charged with electricity. “Come back to the Manor. It’s secure. No press. No Vivian p>
Aurora looked at him. “I’m not your wife, Elias. I’m not your problem p>
“No,” Elias agreed. He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her skin. “You’re not my wife. You’re something much more dangerous now p>
He paused, his thumb brushing her cheekbone.
“And I find it… incredibly attractive p>
Aurora was stunned. Her breath hitched. This was not the cold, robotic Elias she knew. This was… something else.
The car slowed to a stop in front of the Obsidian Tower.
“I’m fine, Elias,” she said, reaching for the door handle.
Elias grabbed her wrist. His grip was firm, possessive.
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“If Edward confirms who you are,” Elias said, his voice dropping to a whisper, “they will never let you go. They will try to own you p>
He looked deep into her eyes.
“And neither will I p>
Aurora pulled her hand away. Her heart was racing so fast it hurt. She stepped out onto the curb, the cool night air hitting her face.
She watched the Range Rover drive away.
She touched her wrist where he had held her. It still burned.
The net was tightening. The Kensingtons on one side. Elias on the other. And somewhere in the shadows, the truth about her blood was waiting to burn everything down.
The Kensingtons were circling.
“Dr. Vance?” The night concierge stepped out from behind the desk, looking concerned. “You’re soaking wet. Shall I call for a towel p>
“No, thank you, James,” Aurora said, her voice steady but hollow.
She stepped into the private elevator and pressed the button for the penthouse. As the car ascended, the adrenaline that had fueled her surgical precision finally crashed. She leaned her head against the cool mirrored wall, closing her eyes.
She had walked away from the hospital, but she knew she hadn’t escaped. She had simply moved the battlefield.