Chapter 1: A Change of Pace.
Aurora Rory Wynter stepped out of the bustling airport, inhaling the crisp evening air. The city skyline in the distance was truly rejuvenating. Like a dazzling tapestry of golden lights, it stretched before her like an old friend welcoming her home.
The months spent abroad had been exhilarating, Filled with long nights of study, the sounds of different languages of different people surrounding her, the thrill of conquering new challenges like passing her exams and eventually getting her long awaited graduation certificate—but even after experiencing all that, there was nothing quite like returning to familiar streets.
As she rolled her sleek, black suitcase to the curb, her phone vibrated in her pocket. Seeing the caller ID, she smirked before answering.
"Evening Mom," she greeted, her voice laced with amusement.
"Aurora! You're finally back! I need you to come home right away," Emily Wynter's voice was warm, but there was an unmistakable urgency beneath it.
Rory sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Mom, I literally just got off the plane. I was planning to spend the night at Jonathan's. I promise I'll be home tomorrow."
A dramatic gasp echoed through the speaker. "Oh, my own daughter doesn't even want to see me first? After all the sleepless nights I had, worrying about her safety in a foreign country?"
Rory chuckled, shaking her head. "Mom, you're impossible. I'll be there in the morning, I promise."
"Fine, fine," her mother huffed, clearly pretending to be offended. "But don't make me wait too long, sweetheart."
"I won't, now help me greet Dad when he gets back will you."
" Fine I'll tell him his little princess doesn't want anything to do with him anymore."
" Mom come on...don't be like this."
" Fine fine..."
"Love you."
"Love you more."
The call ended with a soft beep, and Rory slid her phone back into her coat pocket before flagging down a taxi. The bright yellow cab pulled up, and she slipped inside, sinking into the worn leather seat.
"Where to, miss?" the driver asked, adjusting his rearview mirror to glance at her.
She rattled off Jonathan's apartment address, her voice steady, betraying none of the exhaustion she felt creeping up on her. She had imagined this night differently, a warm reunion, Jonathan's arms wrapping around her, the comfort of being home in a place that still felt hers.
The city blurred past as the taxi wove through the streets, the neon signs reflecting off the rain-slick pavement. A quiet anticipation stirred in her chest as she thought of Jonathan's reaction to seeing her again after all this time. They had kept in touch, exchanged video calls, but nothing compared to being face to face.
The taxi came to a smooth stop in front of a modern high-rise, its glass exterior reflecting the moon's silver glow. She paid the driver, thanked him, and stepped out, the wheels of her suitcase rolling smoothly over the pavement as she made her way to the building's entrance.
Inside, the elevator ride felt eternal. The soft instrumental music did nothing to soothe the sudden, inexplicable tension tightening in her gut. As the elevator doors slid open on Jonathan's floor, Rory took a deep breath and stepped out, her heels clicking softly against the polished tiles.
She reached his apartment, her fingers wrapping around the doorknob. To her surprise, It was unlocked.
" Well that's...Odd." Her left brow raised in confusion. She let out a sigh not letting the thought bother her for long.
Pushing the door open, she stepped inside only to freeze up the next moment.
She was instantly greeted with the thick scent of expensive cologne and red wine, but what made Rory's blood run cold was the sight before her.
Jonathan, the man she had crossed oceans to see, was sprawled on the couch, his lips locked with another woman's. The woman's perfectly manicured fingers were tangled in his hair, her dress slightly askew in a way that made Rory's stomach churn.
Jonathan who was enjoying his pleasurable moment suddenly spotted Rory from the corner of his eyes.
"Rory?" His voice was hoarse with disbelief as he shoved the woman away and shot up from the couch, his movements frantic. "Wait—just let me explain—"
Rory's heart pounded, fury eclipsing the raw pain clawing at her chest. She barely registered the betrayal, barely processed the way her vision blurred with tears before she acted.
With the precision of someone who had been wronged one too many times, she clenched her fist and, in one fluid motion, swung.
Her knuckles connected with Jonathan's jaw with a sickening crack the instant he came close to her. His head snapped back, and he crumpled to the floor unconscious like a discarded rag doll.
The woman gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief, one manicured hand covering her mouth.
Rory didn't say a word but her glare burned into them both before she wiped at the hot tears streaking her cheeks.
While trying to maintain the last bit of dignity she had, she grabbed the handle of her luggage, turned on her heel, and walked out the door, leaving Jonathan sprawled unconscious on the floor and the stunned woman sitting rear first, still in shock at the rushed turn of events.
Rory stepped out of the mid-rise apartment building, dragging her luggage behind her as the cold night air pressed against her skin. The city around her remained alive with distant car horns, the hum of passing traffic, and the occasional burst of laughter from nearby pedestrians, but none of it could pierce through the suffocating weight pressing against her chest. Her hands shook slightly as she pulled out her phone, the screen glowing in the darkness, reflecting her pale, tear-streaked face.
She pressed the call button and brought the phone to her ear, exhaling sharply to steady her voice.
"Mom?"
"Rory? I thought you were staying at Jonathan's tonight—" Emily's voice was light at first but quickly shifted, laced with concern when Rory failed to respond immediately. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"