A NEW FAMILY

Harriet’s home was a modest apartment in a working-class neighbourhood, shared with her husband, Jacob, and their two young sons. The space was cramped, and money was tight, but they didn’t hesitate to welcome Aurora. Jacob, a burly construction worker with kind eyes, treated her as one of his own, his rough hands always ready to offer comfort or build her something to make her feel at home.

Aurora, however, struggled to adjust. Her once glamorous world, the grand mansion, her toys, her parents’ love, they all felt like a distant dream she could barely grasp. She missed Snowy’s playful barks, her mother’s soothing lullabies, and her father’s proud, reassuring smiles. The nights were the hardest time for her, she would lie awake in the tiny bedroom she now shared with Harriet’s sons, clutching the locket her mother had given her. In its cold metal, she found a bit of warmth in the piece of metal, every night, she would whisper to herself - One day, I’ll make Julian Blackwood pay.

But in the midst of her grief, she found comfort in the kindness of Harriet’s family. They had little, yet they shared everything. Harriet braided her hair each morning and packed her lunch with loving care. Jacob, in the rare quiet hours after work, built her a small desk out of scrap wood so she could study in the evenings. The boys, playful and mischievous, treated her like their sister, including her in their games and sharing their childish dreams.

Slowly, Aurora began to smile again.

Years passed, and Aurora blossomed into a determined young woman. Her grief and anger became fuel for an unrelenting drive to succeed. She excelled in school, her teachers marvelling at her intelligence and work ethic. The Jacob family couldn’t afford to send her to college, but Aurora wasn’t one to let obstacles stop her.

She took a job as a waitress at a small downtown diner, juggling long shifts with her studies. The work was exhausting, the pay barely enough to scrape by, but she saved every penny. She declined party invitations and ignored the advances of boys who admired her beauty but misunderstood her purpose. Aurora had one goal: to leave New York, learn everything she could, and one day return to reclaim what was stolen from her.

At twenty, Aurora stood at the threshold of the tiny apartment, her suitcase in hand. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged Harriet, Jacob, and their sons goodbye.

“Thank you for everything,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I promise, one day I’ll repay your kindness.”

Harriet cupped her face, her own eyes brimming with tears. “You don’t owe us anything, Aurora. Just go out there and show the world what you’re made of.”

Jacob placed a calloused hand on her shoulder. “You’ve always been family. Never forget that.”

With a final wave, Aurora left the apartment, stepping into a new chapter of her life. Her savings, her mother’s locket, and a heart full of determination were all she carried as she boarded a plane bound for Europe.

The next seven years were an unrelenting journey of transformation. Aurora immersed herself in learning, attending prestigious universities, and earning degrees in business and finance. She pushed her physical limits, training in martial arts until she could disarm an opponent twice her size. She became fluent in nine languages, gaining access to powerful networks and alliances across continents.

Aurora also mastered the stock market, turning her modest savings into an impressive fortune. Her strategies made headlines in Europe, and her name was whispered in elite circles as a rising star in the world of business. Yet, she kept a low profile, crafting a persona that allowed her to move unnoticed when necessary. Among the wealthy and powerful, she was known only as "Rory"—a mysterious figure with an uncanny knack for success.

By the time she turned twenty-seven, Aurora Wynter was unrecognizable. The little girl who had fled her childhood home in tears was now a force to be reckoned with. She had built her empire, one that rivalled the Blackwoods in power and influence.

Back from her thoughts. Aurora shook off the feelings, and she smiled coldly.

“This is just the beginning,” she murmured, her voice low and steady. “Julian Blackwood won’t know what hit him.”

In the study that evening, Aurora sat by the fire with a glass of wine in her hand. The flames cast waving shadows across her face, illuminating the steel in her gaze. She had come full circle, returning to the city that had once betrayed her. But this time, she was no longer a victim.

Miss Lee entered quietly, sensing the intensity of the moment. “Is there anything else you need, ma’am?”

Aurora turned, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Prepare the guest list for the gala. I want every influential figure in New York to be there.”

Miss Lee nodded. “Of course. Shall I include the Blackwoods?”

Aurora’s smile sharpened, her voice dripping with purpose. “Oh. It’s time they met Ms. Rory,” she said in a French tone to ease the moment.