Page 71 of Ruthless King

“I never wanted to kill you, Nico. Beatrice was making me. She thought you were responsible for my father’s death, and she wanted revenge. She thought if I married you, I could get close enough to kill you.”

“At least you had a good reason for betraying me.”

“Someone murdered my father. And you never knew my aunt. She was a force to be reckoned with. I don’t have murder in my heart.”

“And yet, you murdered your aunt.”

“To stop her from killing you!” I clench the water bottle in my hand. “I meant what I said, Nico. I love you. That’s why I never could kill you. You showed me how kind you could be. When I got pregnant, I knew I had a choice. And I chose you and our life together.”

“See, the problem is, I’m just not sure I believe you.” He starts to turn away from me, but I grab his arm.

“If I hated you, I would have tried harder to kill you. But I’ve never hated you, Nico. I love you, and I mean it. You have tobelieve that. My aunt forced me to marry you. That’s true. But I fell in love honestly. If you’re going to kill me now, I need you to know that at least.”

He studies my face, his eyes softening just the tiniest bit. “I didn’t kill your father, Aurora.”

“I know. And that’s why I was able to fall in love with you.”

He nods once, then pries my hand off his arm and walks out of the room. “I need more time to think.” Before I can get another word in, he shuts the door, locking me inside.

NICO

“Andrew,” I say, running into him in the basement. “Make sure Aurora gets food and water. I don’t want her to starve to death.”

“But—”

I grab him and slam him against the wall. “But? Why would there be a ‘but’ after what I just said?”

“Does she deserve it?”

“Until I figure out how I feel, Aurora will not be harmed. In fact, have her brought to one of the bedrooms upstairs. Keep her locked in there, but at least she’ll have access to a bed and a bathroom. And food, Andrew. I expect this to be taken care of.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving for a few days. I can’t stay in this house.” Once I let Andrew go, I head upstairs. Aurora will be fine, I tell myself.

Now, I just need to figure out how the hell I feel about her.

AURORA

Andrew shows up at the door to my cell, opening it just a crack so I can’t run through. “You thought you were so clever, but you never deceived me.”

“I never hurt Nico.”

“You never got the chance.”

“I had the chance. I just never took it because I love him.”

It’s a little funny to watch the smug smirk fall off his face. But then he scoffs. “You don’t love him. And I’m going to make sure you suffer for what you did to him.” He shuts the door and walks away.

I slump against the wall, and for the first time since I came down here, I cry.

Another day passes. I can tell by how hungry I become. I pee in my pee corner from all the water I drank the day before. I only have a little water left, and I need to conserve it.

My legs eventually cramp from pacing the room, so I settle on the floor against the wall and lie there. Sleep takes me once more.

The following day is another day spent not eating. I drink the last of my water. The only hope I have is that Nico will let me out soon or at least kill me. If I’m dead, then at least I’ll be in heaven with my father.

Another day passes by—or what I assume is another day. I’m growing hungrier and weaker. My lips are so parched; they hurt to even touch.

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