#Chapter 9: Owned And Used

Aurora POV By the time the banquet arrives, I’m ready—or at least that’s what I tell myself. I smooth my dress, adjusting the delicate fabric while eyeing my reflection in the mirror. The necklace Leonardo gave me rests heavy around my neck, glittering beautifully under the soft light of my vanity. I hate it. I would have left it behind and pretended not to have remembered it if it wasn’t for Dominic texting me earlier this morning. Put it on. Let him think he owns you. That text had left a bitter taste in my mouth, but there was no room for argument. Not when he still had his blackmail hanging over me. So, against my better judgment, I fastened it around my neck. Camilla, of course, had been reluctant to return it when we had arrived home that night, asking me if I really wanted to keep it. Sometimes I find it rather ironic that I had been the one offered up on the chopping block when it has been so damn clear to me that my step-sister would be more than happy to ma