Eight Years Ago:
The mansion was quiet, and the evening breeze slipping through the curtains calmed Aurora.
She stood in the middle of their shared bedroom, her hands fidgeting as she glanced at the small box on the nightstand.
She wasn't sure why she was nervous. It wasn't as if she was expecting a grand reaction. No, Tim wasn't that kind of man.
In the three months since their contract marriage began, he had been nothing but cold, distant—polite when necessary but never affectionate. A husband in name, a stranger in practice.
Stubbornly, she had tried everything to melt the ice around him—conversation, teasing, even dragging him into the occasional argument just to get a reaction. But nothing had worked.
Earlier today, she had overheard one of the house staff mention that today was his birthday. And from the way Tim carried himself all day—without a hint of acknowledgment—she knew he hadn't planned on celebrating.
So she did.
Nothing extravagant. Just a small box wrapped neatly, holding a simple leather wristwatch she thought would suit him. And a cupcake—because even stone-hearted men deserved something sweet on their birthday.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Aurora straightened as the door swung open.
Tim walked in, as composed as ever, his tie loosened, his dark gaze unreadable as he paused upon seeing her standing there.
"You're still awake," he observed, voice neutral.
Aurora offered a small smile. "I was waiting for you."
His brows lifted slightly, but he didn't comment. Instead, he walked past her, heading toward the closet.
Aurora exhaled, then quickly stepped forward, picking up the small box and placing it on the dresser.
"Happy birthday, Tim."
He stilled. Just for a second.
Then, slowly, he turned, his sharp eyes settling on the gift. His expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something—something almost uncertain.
"You remembered," he murmured.
Aurora scoffed. "You say that like it was some impossible task."
His gaze lifted to hers. "Most people don't." He shook his head and turned away from her.
Something in his tone made her pause. She had expected indifference but from how he sounded, he might accept her gift. He sounded like he doesn't mind seeing the gift.
Aurora swallowed. "Well… I'm not most people."
Silence stretched between them before Tim finally stepped forward. He reached for the box, undoing the ribbon with practiced ease. When he lifted the watch from inside, his thumb brushed over the smooth leather strap.
"It's nice," he admitted, inspecting it under the soft glow of the lamp.
Aurora brightened. "You like it?"
A pause. Then, to her absolute shock, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
A smile.
Not wide, not obvious, but there.
Aurora's breath hitched. It was the first time she had ever seen such an expression on him.
For the first time, the cold, composed Tim looked human. Her heart fluttered. She almost giggled loudly
And that tiny flicker of warmth, no matter how brief, made her chest tighten in a way it always did when she was younger.
.....
Present Day:
Aurora's fingers curled around the armrest as she stared out of the airplane window, lost in the beauty of the cloud.
She never thought his presence would mess with her this way again. She thought five years was enough to build a large gate around her walls.
His smile at their daughter today took her mind back to the first time he had smiled at her. The way his fingers had hesitated over the leather strap of the watch, as if he didn't quite believe it was real.
The way he had looked at her that night shifted. From cold and indifference to something vulnerable.
She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. Tim never wanted them to work, and he showed it. One moment, he made he think they have something between them and the next moment, he set clear boundaries.
She had no business remembering that. Not now. Not when she was flying straight back to the city that had shattered her.
A tug at her sleeve broke her out of her thoughts.
"Mommy?"
Aurora blinked and turned.
Her daughter's big, curious eyes peered up at her. "Why do you look sad?"
Aurora inhaled sharply. "I'm not sad, Seraphina."
The little girl wasn't convinced. She tilted her head, much like Tim had done when he was deep in thought.
Aurora's heart squeezed painfully at the resemblance. Each day with her daughter was torture. Sweet and bitter torture.
She forced a smile. "Are you excited to see Grandpa again?"
The distraction worked. The little girl beamed. "Yes! He promised to take me to the big garden!"
Aurora nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "Then you should rest. It's a long flight."
Seraphina nodded thoughtfully and walked towards the bedroom. Liam, who had been silent beside them, finally spoke.
"Are you sure about this?" His voice was quiet. "He didn't really ask you both to come."
Aurora nodded. "Her Granddad is sick. He hasn't visited for two months and it'd be selfish of me to keep her away,"
Liam relaxed in his seat. "What do we do if Tim finds out that his father have been in contact with you all these while without telling him,"
Aurora raised her brow. "He won't do anything," She didn't turn to him, keeping her eyes on the clouds. "It's been five years, Liam. I can't run forever."
Liam studied her carefully. "That city nearly destroyed you. He nearly destroyed you."
Aurora's jaw tightened. "And now, I'm stronger. Also, I'mnot going back because of Tim."
Liam exhaled, shaking his head. "Strength doesn't mean you have to walk back into the fire, Aurora."
She turned to face him then, her expression unreadable. "I'm not walking into the fire, Liam. I'm reclaiming what's mine." She sighed softly, "It's time Anne stop acting untouchable."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, slowly, Liam sighed. "Just promise me one thing."
Aurora raised a brow. "What?"
Liam's voice was quieter now. "That you won't let him break you again."
Aurora swallowed. She smiled at Liam. "He won't. If not for me, for Seraphina sake."