r said, her voice firm. "You need to think this through, not

se. "Mom, I need to take care of this.

think about the consequences of your actions. You can't jus

g frustrated. "Mom, I

w you're not thinking clearly right now. You're hurt and angry, and that's clo

He knew his mother was right. He wasn't thinking clearly.

"I'll bring Aurora home and so

aid. "I know you'll do the

es

as never good enough for you. I'm glad this ha

rise. "You never liked Kylee?

that this has happened, I think it's time you reevaluate you

feelings towards Kylee. And now that he thought about it, he rea

t said finally. "But I need to ta

alm and rational," his mother s

couldn't see him. "I promise, Mom. I'l

breath. He knew his mother was right. He

ear his head. He thought about Kylee and their relationsh

e had been distant lately, and he had brushed it off as stress. But now

down. He needed to stay calm and think this through. B

. He needed to go to Aurora and talk to her. He needed to

walked towards the door, he couldn't help but wonder why

y did you do this?" he growled. "Why

scared. "P-please don't

ng to hurt you... yet," he said. "But you ne

just like Kylee. We're friends. But I'm not as popular as she is. And my mot

n softened slightl

he would take care of my mother's surgery if I did this

"Kylee offered to help you?" he

take care of everything if I just pretended to be her f

s hearing. Kylee had manipulated Aurora, used her desper

his voice skeptical. "She's never been

her hands. "I-I don't know," she

rry for anyone," he said. "There's something mor

e with fear. "I-I'm telling th

d her. There was something in her story that didn't

need to maintain the illusion that we're married. But let me make one thing clear: you are not my wife. You a

nd," she said. "Thank you for taking me in,

myself. I need to maintain a certain image, and having a wife is part of that. But don't

nervous. "I understand," she sa

r own room, and you will stay out of mine. We will not be displaying any public affection. We will not

oking scared. "Okay," s

ion," he said. "I have security cameras all over my house, and I will be watching your ever

. "I wouldn't do that,"

. "We'll see about that,

Aurora looked up at him. "W

worry about Kylee," he said. "I'll deal

ooking scared. "

car door for her.

lbert couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. Was she scared