loving you was a mistake

The sun filtered gently into the mansion, the calm after the storm that had raged in Aurora's heart for weeks. They had just returned from Washington the previous night, and for the first time in a long while, Aurora had felt peace. The reconciliation between Mark and his grandfather had sparked something tender inside her a hope that broken bonds could be mended. But that morning, while Mark was out for a quick meeting, she stayed back in his office, wearing one of his oversized shirts, letting the scent of him comfort her.

She sat in his leather swivel chair, legs tucked under her, lazily scrolling through some of the videos he had saved on his computer. It was a slow, peaceful morning… until she spotted a file. Her eyes narrowed.

"Scott."

It was an odd name for a folder one she hadn't seen before. A strange pull tugged at her, a gut instinct she couldn't ignore. Her heart began to thud louder in her chest, her fingers hovering hesitantly over the mouse.

Why does this name unsettle me? Why is my chest tight all of a sudden? What if it's nothing… what if it's work-related? But then Jake's face flashed in her mind. That familiar ache returned. It had been so long since his name had crossed her lips, but the pain of losing him still lingered like smoke in a sealed room.

Biting her lip, she muttered, "It won't hurt to check… just once."She clicked. It was a video. Just a plain, unlabelled clip. Her curiosity got the best of her and she double-clicked to play it.And then, everything shattered.

"What did I do to you?"

"Why do you want to kill me?"Jake's voice.

Broken. Shaking. Terrified.

Her heart stopped.The camera was shaky, but clear enough to see Jake blood trickling from his mouth, his expression pleading.

Tears blurred her vision.

Her body froze. The screen blurred with her tears. Her hands trembled. Her mind screamed.Her world, which had just started to find peace again, now stood in ruins. It was Jake. And it was Mark.Mark's voice was there. His face was shadowed. But it was him.

There was no denying it.

"No… no no no…"

A sob tore from her chest as the weight of betrayal crashed down on her. The door opened behind her."Aurora," Mark's voice called cheerfully. "I made you almond milk—"

He stopped.

The glass dropped from his hand and shattered on the floor. He stared at her, eyes wide, frozen.She turned slowly. Her face pale. Her eyes drenched in tears. "Don't tell me…" he whispered, voice dry.

"You did it," her voice cracked. "Tell me it's not true. TELL ME YOU DIDN'T DO IT!"

Mark took a step forward. "Aurora, listen, please. I didn't mean to—"

SLAP!

Her palm collided hard with his cheek. The sound echoed. "You're a monster! You murdered Jake!" He gasped, pain flashing in his eyes. "Aurora, I..I didn't— I didn't kill him, I swear!" "Don't touch me!" she shrieked, stepping back.

"Loving you was a mistake," she spat, venom dripping from her words. He staggered as if her words had slapped him harder than her palm had."Aurora, please…" She stormed past him, eyes vacant, slamming the door behind her.