loving you was a mistake

The mood at the Wilson estate was quiet but tense. Aurora lay curled on the sofa, the firelight flickering across her distraught face. Mark stood by the window, one hand in his pocket, the other clutching his phone.

"They think they can touch what's mine and walk away from it?" his voice was low, dangerous. He didn't wait for permission or apology. He dialed two numbers back-to-back.

First: Jeffery.

Second: Leon.

"You're needed," he said coldly.

Jeffery, his cousin -turned-intel-expert, could trace a rat through a hurricane. Leon, with his access to international surveillance and hacking networks, was unmatched in pulling secrets from the darkest places. By dawn, Mark had answers.

He stood in front of his private command table, dressed in all black, eyes hard with fury.

"It was Liam… and Zachary," Jeffery confirmed, dropping a thick folder.

Leon smirked, tossing a flash drive onto the desk. "And trust me, they didn't just sabotage Dior. They planted false allegations, leaked documents, and bribed two minor board members. They planned to ruin her."

Mark's knuckles tightened. "And they've been hiding where? "Don't worry," Leon said smoothly. "Maxwell's men picked them up two nights ago."

Maxwell, Aurora's friend and Mark's closest rival-turned-ally, stood with his arms folded in his underground chamber somewhere between a prison and a hellhole. The two traitors were tied and half-conscious, bloodied but breathing. Maxwell turned to his men. "Wake them up. Let's hear them scream again." And they did.

By the time Mark arrived with Scorpion behind him, the men were broken. But not dead. That wasn't the plan. "I want everyone to see what betrayal looks like," Mark ordered. "Release them in front of the Riverson Mansion. "Publicly?" Maxwell raised a brow.

"Yes. That family deserves the truth. Every. Bloody. Detail."

****The Grand Reveal: Riverson Mansion****

The courtyard of the Riverson estate glimmered in gold and crystal as family members gathered in confusion. William, Kim, Gianna, Liam's and Ivy parents, and others were all there. Even Amelia, in her wheelchair, insisted on attending.

"Why are we all here?" Ivy asked.

And then they saw the van. Scorpion opened the doors and out stumbled Liam and Zachary, barely able to walk, bruised and disoriented. Aurora's eyes widened in horror.

"Mark, what the hell is this?!" William barked.

Mark stepped forward slowly, eyes dark.

"These two tried to ruin my wife's career, destroy her image, and sabotage her dreams. They orchestrated the Dior cancellation. Lied. Leaked. Bribed. I wanted the truth to come from their mouths."

The silence cracked like glass.

"They went missing for two days because I made it so. And I would do it again. Nobody messes with Aurora Wilson." Liam dropped to his knees, sobbing. "I was jealous. She had everything. The family's love, the spotlight, the empire." Zachary groaned, "He convinced me… we just wanted her out of the company."

Ivy turned to her husband. "You betrayed my family… for what? Ego? Jealousy?"

"Ivy—please." She looked at him like he was a stranger. "I want a divorce."

Gasps echoed through the courtyard.

Gianna snapped, "You're both pathetic. She helped your, Ivy! Aurora gave you her trust!" She was willing to help Ivy navigate her way as well"

Kim covered her mouth in disbelief. William stepped forward, fists clenched. You both brought shame to this family. "I did what had to be done," Mark added, unapologetic. "I protect mine. Always." Then, a sudden cry pierced the air.

"Amelia !"

The elderly woman clutched her chest, gasping, falling from her chair. "Grandma!" Aurora screamed. William rushed to her, "Call an ambulance now!" The scene shifted into chaos. Mark lifted Amelia into his arms without hesitation, barking orders while Scorpion cleared a path.

****At the Hospital****

Everyone sat in tense silence. Mark paced. Aurora trembled in her seat. William held Kim's hand tightly. After what seemed like forever, the doctor emerged. "She's stable for now. But she must avoid any more shocks. Her heart can't take it." Aurora sobbed into Mark's chest. "I didn't mean for this to happen. "This wasn't your fault," Mark whispered. "This was theirs."