AURORA

My father’s words echoed in my mind long after I left his room. You’re the only one who can save us.

It felt like a verdict, a burden heavier than the gilded walls of this mansion. The Herrera estate, with its sprawling grounds and decadent halls, was no sanctuary—it was a battlefield dressed in silk and gold. And now, it was my prison.

I stood on the balcony, the cold night air biting my skin as I stared into the darkness. Somewhere out there, Matteo was plotting my family’s downfall, dismantling the Herrera legacy piece by piece. My fists clenched at the thought of his betrayal, his lies, his audacity to think I’d let him win.

A sharp buzz from my phone broke my spiraling thoughts. Gabriel’s message lit up the screen:

[We need to discuss the next steps. Meet me in the study in ten minutes.]

I exhaled slowly, letting the cold steel of resolve settle in my veins. There was no room for doubt anymore. I had to be stronger than my grief, smarter than Matteo, and far more ruthless.

The study smelled like power and history—dark wood polished to perfection, the faint scent of cigars clinging to the air. Gabriel sat behind the massive desk; his sharp features illuminated by the dim glow of the chandelier.

“Aurora,” he said, gesturing for me to sit.

I sank into the chair across from him, my hands resting in my lap to steady their trembling.

“Your father’s condition is worsening,” Gabriel began, his voice measured but grave. “He doesn’t have much time left. When he’s gone, the Herrera Clan will need a leader. That leader must be you.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised a hand to stop me.

“Don’t say you’re not ready,” he said firmly. “You’ve been ready since the day you were born. The blood of Ricardo Herrera flows through you. This is your empire, your destiny, whether you want it or not. If Matteo succeeds, everything your father built—everything your mother died to protect—will crumble.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” I shot back, my voice rising. “But how am I supposed to lead a clan I haven’t been part of for over a decade? I’m not the same girl who left this world. I don’t know if I can…”

“You can,” Gabriel interrupted, his tone softer now. “And you won’t be alone. Your father anticipated this. He had someone to guide you.”

Before I could ask what he meant, the heavy oak door creaked open. My breath caught as a tall, commanding figure strode into the room. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit, his presence exuding a quiet authority that made the air crackle. Dark hair slicked back, piercing green eyes that seemed to see straight through me—he was impossible to ignore.

Gabriel stood, a faint smile curving his lips. “Aurora, meet Vincenzo Donovan. Vince has been acting as your father’s right hand in your absence, keeping the clan intact. And now, he’s here for you.”

Vincent Donovan, his name alone sent a shiver down my spine.

Vince stepped closer, his voice smooth but edged with steel. “Aurora Herrera. It’s been a while. Nice to see you here.” He extended his hand, and I hesitated before taking it, his grip firm and unyielding.

“Why are you here?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them, laced with suspicion.

A flicker of amusement crossed his face. “They haven’t told you yet, have they?” His eyes locked on mine, unflinching. “I’m here to help you claim your empire, Aurora. And to marry you.”

The room spun. “What?” I stammered, pulling my hand back as if his touch burned.

Gabriel stepped in, his expression unreadable. “Your father’s condition has forced us to act quickly. Vince is here to guide you and protect you, but more importantly, to solidify the clan’s future. That begins with marriage.”

“Marriage?” My voice rose, disbelief crashing over me. “You’re joking. I can’t marry him! He’s my ex-boyfriend’s uncle! Matteo’s uncle for God’s sake!”

“Aurora, this isn’t about your past with Matteo,” Gabriel said, his voice low but firm. “This is about survival. The clan is vulnerable, Aurora. Your father’s near-death left us exposed. Matteo’s clan is closing in, and the only way to strengthen our position is through a powerful alliance. Vince offers that.”

I turned to Vince, my heart pounding. “And you? What do you get out of this?”

He leaned in, his gaze steady and unrelenting. “The satisfaction of watching Matteo Romano together with his clan burn into ashes.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, but there was no denying the fire in his eyes matched my own.

“This is insane,” I whispered, shaking my head.

“No,” Vince said, his tone deadly serious. “This is war. And if you don’t fight, Aurora, you’ll lose everything. Are you ready to let Matteo win?”

The question hung in the air like a dagger poised to strike. My jaw tightened, and I forced myself to meet his gaze.

“I won’t let him win,” I said, my voice trembling but resolute.

Vince nodded, satisfaction flickering across his face. “It's a deal, then.”

AURORA

The word marriage felt foreign, unreal, like a cruel joke. Yet here I was, agreeing to tie myself to Vincenzo Donovan—a man I barely knew, who also happened to be Matteo’s uncle.

Vince stood in the corner of the room, calm and composed, as if this arrangement was just another business deal. His piercing green eyes seemed to see right through me, and I hated that I couldn’t look away.

My phone buzzed on the desk, Matteo’s name flashing on the screen.

“Answer it,” Vince said, his tone low but firm.

I shook my head. “He’ll know something’s off. He might already suspect me.”

“Then make him think he still owns your heart,” Vince replied coolly. “We need him distracted while we solidify our plans. Play along.”

My fingers hovered over the screen before I swiped to accept the call. Vince nodded, stepping closer as I put it on speaker.

“Camila?” Matteo’s voice oozed fake concern. “Where are you, baby?”

I stayed silent, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from snapping.

“Baby, listen,” he continued, his tone desperate. “I know you’re upset about the news, but it’s not what it looks like. Bianca—she’s nothing. Just a move for the company. You know I’ve been working on expanding, right? Marrying her is strategic. It’s staged, temporary. You’re the one I love.”

Lies. Every word dripped with manipulation. Vince smirked, his arms crossed as he leaned against the desk, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

“Talk to him,” Vince mouthed, typing on his phone and showing me a message:

Tell him you need time. Don’t let him know you’re back with your father’s clan.

I forced myself to speak, my voice steady. “Matt, I need space. Just… let me think about everything. I’ll talk to you when I’m ready.”

“Camila, please—”

I ended the call before he could say more. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan.

Vince straightened, his smirk replaced by something sharper. “Good. Now we move fast.”

“What’s the rush?” I shot back, folding my arms.

He stepped closer, his voice cold and deliberate. “The second Matteo realizes you’re back in the Herrera fold, he’ll come for you. And when he does, he won’t hesitate to destroy everything.”

Gabriel, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. “The marriage needs to happen as soon as possible, Aurora. The papers are ready. We’ll register everything before the day ends tomorrow.”

I froze. “You’re serious?”

“As a bullet to the skull,” Vince replied, slipping his jacket back on. “If you hesitate now, you might as well hand Matteo the keys to your family’s empire.”

That night, sleep was impossible. My mind raced with doubts, fears, and questions I couldn’t answer. By morning, Gabriel woke me with a stack of documents in his hands.

“Sign these,” he said, placing them on the desk.

“What is this?” I asked, flipping through the pages. My eyes landed on the bold heading of one document: PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT

“That man doesn’t trust me?” I snapped.

Gabriel sighed. “He’s a cautious man. You’d do the same in his position.”

My grip tightened on the pen. Anger flared, but I pushed it aside and signed the papers. When I finished, Gabriel handed me a box.

“Vince asked you to wear this for the ceremony.”

Inside was a sleek white dress and matching heels—simple but elegant. My fingers brushed the fabric as a wave of resentment washed over me. This wasn’t the wedding I’d dreamed of. There were no flowers, no music, no love. Just a cold transaction wrapped in urgency.

By midday, I stood beside Vince at the civil registry, the faint scent of his cologne filling the space between us. He slipped a ring onto my finger—a heavy gold band that felt more like a shackle than a symbol of unity. I mirrored his actions, sliding a matching ring onto his finger.

And just like that, it was done.

There were no vows, no declarations of love—only the scratch of pens on paper and the indifferent gaze of the clerk officiating the ceremony.

As we walked out, the weight of the moment settled over me. I was no longer Camila Alvarez, the woman who’d built a new life away from this chaos. Nor was I fully Aurora Herrera, the mafia princess I’d been born to be. I was something in between—something unrecognizable.

“Mrs. Donovan,” Vince said, his voice laced with mockery. “Are you ready to face what’s ahead?”

I glared at him. “We’re married on paper, Vince. But don’t call me that. I’m still Aurora Herrera.”

He smirked, his green eyes glinting with amusement. “Keep telling yourself that.”

Before I could retort, the sound of screeching tires shattered the tense air. A black SUV skidded to a stop in front of us, and the doors flew open. Men in masks jumped out, guns raised, their movements precise and practiced.

“Get down!” Vince barked, shoving me behind him as he drew a sleek handgun from his jacket.

AURORA

My heart pounded as bullets tore through the air, shattering the calm of the day. Vince fired back, his movements swift and calculated, each shot finding its mark.

Adrenaline surged through me as I reached for the small pistol Gabriel had handed me earlier. My hands shook, but I forced myself to aim and fire, the kickback jolting my arm.

“Stay close!” Vince growled, his voice cutting through the chaos.

As the last masked man fell, Vince grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the waiting car.

“This is just the beginning,” he muttered, his voice grim. “Our foes are making their move.”

I climbed into the car, my pulse racing. For the first time, the weight of what I’d just done—what I’d become—hit me.

Camila Alvarez was now dead.

In her place stood Mrs. Aurora Herrera-Donovan, and the war for the Herrera empire had just begun.

“Do you think Matteo knows I’m back?” I asked Vince, my voice low, trying to steady the gnawing anxiety in my chest.

“Not yet,” he replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “But let’s not get comfortable. Something feels off.”

The unease in his voice twisted in my stomach like a blade. Vince rarely let his emotions show, so when he did, I knew it was serious.

The car sped through the streets like a bullet, the tires screeching as Vince took sharp turns without hesitation. When we finally reached the Herrera mansion, my blood ran cold.

The estate was in ruins.

Smoke curled into the sky, mingling with the acrid scent of gunpowder. Windows were shattered, the front gates blown open, and the once-pristine grounds were littered with bodies.

“Damn it,” Vince hissed, pulling his gun from his jacket and making a call. “Get to the Herrera estate now. Bring reinforcements.”

I barely registered his words, my eyes glued to the destruction in front of me. My breath caught in my throat, and before I could speak, Vince grabbed my arm.

“Stay in the car,” he ordered, his tone sharp. “This is bulletproof. Lock the doors and don’t get out, no matter what happens.”

“But—”

“No arguments, Aurora. Stay put.”

His expression left no room for debate, and before I could protest again, he was gone, disappearing into the chaos. I locked the doors as he instructed, but my hands trembled as memories of another night crashed over me like a tidal wave.

It was cold that night, too. I had come home excited to tell my mother about my school competition. But the moment I opened the door to our small apartment, I froze. The living room was a disaster—broken furniture, shattered glass, and blood.

And then I saw her.

She was hanging from the ceiling, her body lifeless, her head tilted unnaturally. They had tried to make it look like a suicide, but I knew better. My mother was no coward.

I shook the memory away, my chest heaving as I tried to focus on the present. Suddenly, a loud knock on the car window snapped me back to reality.

Vince.

He was panting, his shirt smeared with blood that didn’t look like his own. “You can get out now,” he said, his voice urgent. “Why? What’s happening?” I asked, but he didn’t answer.

“Just follow me,” he barked.

We moved quickly toward the mansion. My stomach churned at the sight of the carnage around us—blood pooling on the marble floors, men lying lifeless, their weapons still clutched in their hands. Others groaned in pain, clutching their wounds.

“What the hell happened?” I demanded, my voice breaking.

“They hit the estate while we were gone,” Vince said tersely, scanning the hallway with his gun raised.

By the time we reached my father’s room, I was trembling. Vince stopped in front of the door, his grip tightening around my hand.

“Brace yourself,” he said softly, his tone carrying a weight that made my knees weak.

He pushed the door open, and I stumbled inside.

My father lay on the floor, blood pooling beneath him. His face was pale, his eyes empty. Beside him was Gabriel, slumped against the wall, his gun still in hand. He had died protecting my father.

I couldn’t breathe. The room spun as the metallic scent of blood filled my lungs.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, no, no.”

It felt like déjà vu, a cruel replay of the nightmare that had stolen my mother. The grief hit me like a freight train, crashing into me with relentless force.

This was the life I had fought to escape. And yet, here I was, drowning in its blood-soaked reality.

My mother's brutal death. Matteo’s betrayal. My forced marriage to Vince. And now my father’s death. Everything came crashing down, suffocating me.

Vince’s voice broke through the haze. “Aurora, you have to brace yourself for what might happen next.”

It felt like too much. The grief, the rage, the helplessness—it all blurred together until the world went black.

The last thing I heard was Vince shouting my name.

“Aurora!”