loving you was a mistake

The Wilson mansion gleamed under the evening moonlight a towering modern structure of glass, marble, and secrets. The interior was quiet, except for the soft classical music playing from hidden speakers and the faint laughter echoing from the sunken lounge.

Aurora sat curled on the velvet sofa in a silk robe, her feet tucked under her, a wine glass cradled between her fingers. Across from her, Angel her best friend and constant voice of reason sipped rosé and watched her intently.

"So, let me get this straight," Angel said, setting down her glass. I want you to tell me for the second time and this time around explain deeper cause actually it's very funny. "He threw a tantrum, barged into your cousin's office, tossed you over his shoulder like a sack of rice, and walked out like he won a prize?"

Aurora groaned. "Yes. And everyone was staring. Gianna couldn't stop giggling. It was so embarrassing."

Angel burst out laughing. "Babe, I'm sorry but your Mark is something else. Possessive much?"

"He's too much," Aurora muttered, swirling her wine. "But sometimes… I like it."

Angel smirked. "Girl, don't lie. You live for the chaos."

Before Aurora could respond, the front doors opened. The soft click of polished shoes on Italian marble echoed through the foyer.

Richard, the ever-composed butler, appeared beside the living room archway. "Madam Aurora… Mr. Wilson has returned."

Aurora stiffened slightly, then nodded. "Thank you, Richard."

Moments later, Mark entered still in his sleek, tailored black suit, the jacket slung over his shoulder, shirt slightly unbuttoned, his expression unreadable. His eyes immediately locked on Aurora.

Angel rose, giving them a knowing smile. "I'll be in the guest wing if anyone needs me."

"Stay," Aurora said quietly. Angel paused.

Mark shook his head gently. "It's alright. We need to talk."

Angel patted Aurora's shoulder as she passed, whispering, "Don't kill each other. And if you do, at least wait till after dessert."

When she was gone, the silence stretched thickly between them.

Mark slipped off his shoes and walked toward her, his voice low. "You're still mad."

Aurora stood, her arms folded. "You think?"

He sighed. "I was frustrated. I waited too long, and I let my temper speak. I shouldn't have stormed in like that."

"You embarrassed me, Mark," she said, eyes burning. "In front of my cousin, her staff… everyone. You made me look like I needed to be controlled."

"I wasn't trying to control you."

"Then what was that? Carrying me out like a caveman?". Mark rubbed his temples, then stepped closer. "You know how I get when I feel like I'm being ignored."

Aurora scoffed. "You're not a child."

"I know," he said softly. "But when it comes to you, I lose my damn mind sometimes."

She looked up at him those dark eyes that once melted her now just made her feel tired.

"I've been patient with your moods, your attitude, your possessiveness. But today crossed the line." He didn't speak.

She took a step closer. "You're my husband, not my captor. I need you to trust me and give me room to breathe."

Mark's jaw clenched. "I do trust you. But you're my entire world, Aurora. And sometimes… that scares me."

Her heart skipped.

"I don't know how to be without you. And when I saw you smiling with your cousin, laughing like you forgot I existed"

"I wasn't forgetting you. I was enjoying a conversation."

"I know. And I was wrong," he said, voice thickening. "I've been wrong before. But I don't want to keep messing up. I love you too much to keep losing you, even piece by piece."

The anger inside her softened. Her eyes welled slightly, but she blinked it back.

Mark stepped closer, gently holding her hand. "I came back tonight because I didn't want to sleep knowing you were angry with me. I don't care if I worked a 15-hour day or sat in traffic for hours I'll always come back to fix us."

Aurora looked up at him, tears threatening to fall. "You're still an arrogant man."

"But I'm your arrogant man," he whispered, leaning down to kiss her hand.

She let out a breathy laugh and pulled him into a hug. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, burying his face in her neck.

"I hate you sometimes," she murmured.

"I love you always," he said against her skin.

They stayed that way for a long time, wrapped in each other's warmth.

Later that night, they lay tangled in silk sheets, her head resting on his chest, his fingers lazily tracing patterns along her back.

"I don't want us to fight like that again," Aurora said softly.

"We won't," Mark promised. "But if we do… at least let me carry you inside somewhere private next time." She smacked his chest lightly as they both laughed, their hearts beating in sync.