Chapter 4

"This," He pointed at a spot on the side of her neck and she touched the area, wincing at the soreness, "Did you get a hickey from dancing?" She paled at the question and his smirk widened. Her fingers fell from her neck, their eyes met and she saw a dangerous glimmer in his.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She took a step back, tugging her collar to cover the spot, "Get out of my room." Although her heart was racing with trepidation, she tried her best to maintain a calm facade as she motioned towards the door,

"I wonder what your mother would say if she saw that mark on your neck," He sneered, picking up another perfume bottle. She couldn't talk. Her mind went completely blank.

Evan laughed again, a malicious sound that sent chills through her bone, "I'm positive she'll go berserk. Maybe even break a bone or two." He took a step forward, trailing circles around the spot on her neck, "Will you be able to keep your position as prima ballerina if you lose your legs?"

Terror gripped her chest as he spoke, Evan wasn't wrong. If her mother found out about her scandalous relationship with Ryan, she would lose her mind. Different scenarios ran through her head the more she mused her family's reaction,

He pressed the spot and her throat trembled in response, "And dear father, imagine what he would do once he finds out about the secret his innocent little daughter is hiding," He clicked the roof of his tongue against his mouth, "He'd lose it, that's for sure and the news, oh boy, all of them would have a field day that's for sure!" Their eyes locked on like magnets, while hers was filled with terror and fear, his reflected glee. She couldn't risk her parents finding out, not after she'd worked so hard to maintain her reputation.

Everyone knew her as the princess of Canada's elite. The goody two shoes with a heart of gold. Those titles didn't come easily, it took years of hard work, pain and constantly obeying her mother's commands without hesitation.

Her mother had told her to join ballet, so she did.

Her mother had told her to become a prima ballerina, so she did. Aurora followed every single order her mother had given, she'd never truly lived for herself or chased after something that she liked. Her mother's vision for Aurors never allowed that and it felt suffocating,

Not until she met him.

He was the only mismatched piece in her perfectly laid-out life. The only black in her normally spotless life. If their relationship was exposed, she didn't know how she was going to face it,

He tilted his head to the side, his lips curling slightly to the side, "But don't worry," He released her, taking a step back, "I do not intend on using this little piece of information...not yet anyway." Her eyes were still wide, lips parted in bewilderment. Evan chuckled, patting her shoulder lightly as he walked around her, heading towards the door, "Stop looking so gloomy, big sister. I'm not going to hurt you." He winked, before leaving, closing the door behind him.

Her legs face out beneath her and she crashed to the ground, breath coming out shakily. Aurora balled her fingers into fists and tried to regulate her breathing,

She couldn't deny that Evan had succeeded in scaring her half to death. How did he even find out about them?

She always made sure to maintain the utmost secrecy, always making sure to see him when it wouldn't be so apparent. How was he able to find out then? The questions brought unease into her system and a wave of nausea rose to her throat. She could almost picture the look on her mother's face, the disappointment that was sure to follow. Aurora wished she had said something to refute Evan's claim but she didn't. She kept quiet, which served in fueling his accusations. Evan now has something to hold against her neck and that was not an event she was looking forward to, She didn't fully trust him, what if he said something to her parents?

Aurora jumped to her feet and rushed towards the door, she hastily climbed down the stairs, darting into the living room, She stopped in her tracks when she saw her mother's grim face and the back of her father's as he walked toward the front door, slamming it as he disappeared outside. Her mother's fell on hers then and the amount of anguish Aurora saw in her mother's gaze stunned her speechless.

"Go to bed, Aurora." She muttered, loud enough for her to hear, "The party is over." As she watched her mother saunter off, a sinking feeling of apprehension settled into her gut.

*..............* It took a sufferable two months after the incident, however, normalcy returned to the Rochester Mansion. Her father was at breakfast, quietly reading the newspapers. Mother, on the other hand, was busy talking to one of her sales reps on the phone. Aurora blinked for the third time that morning at the plate of plain salad in front of her, she was starving and was deprived of eating anything last night due to the chaotic birthday party.

She'd really been looking forward to some toast and bacon. But her mother picked out the dishes before she had the chance to say a word.

Aurora sighed weakly, dropping her fork on the side of the plate. She pulled the napkin on her lap away and rose to her feet,

"I'm leaving." She announced and grabbed her purse from the floor, slinging it over her shoulder. "Wait! You didn't even take a bite." Her mother had a look of disapproval, she had a hand covering the speakers of her phone as she cocked a more at Aurora questioning, Her eyes flitted to the untouched plate and then to her mother's. She lifted a shoulder carelessly and then replied, "Not hungry."

She stalked off before the woman could get another word out. Her driver was ready by the time she stepped outside, the back door opened wide in wait,

"Thanks, Clavin." She muttered appreciatively, slipping into the back seat. Calvin murmured in response before closing the door gently,

They sped out of the compound and she released a heavy breath. Aurora tapped against the screen of her phone and it came to life, she took a brief search on the internet and popular news channels but there was nothing about her,

Ever since last night, she'd been obsessively checking her phone, refreshing every time for the latest news but it always remained the same. Could she really trust Evan? Would he truly not reveal her secret to anyone?

The truth was that she didn't, she would be a big fool if she did. Evan was a snake and if she didn't thread carefully, she was sure to get bitten.

Aurora's head was in the clouds, even after she climbed down from the car and walked into the dance institute, her mind was still reeling with thoughts. She was so deep in her head, she didn't notice the figure that had blocked her way,

When her head bumped against a hard object, she made a small noise of pain, rubbing the throbbing spot. She raised her head to give the person an earful when her eyes connected with his,

Her face went slack immediately, eyes widening in surprise, "Wh-What are you doing here?"

Ryan's jaw ticked furiously, a dark scowl etched on his features. When he spoke, it sent shivers down her spine,

"We need to talk."