Chapter 6
772words
A group of guards in black suits approached rapidly, led by an imposing elderly woman with silver hair, supporting herself with a wolf-headed cane.
She was Damian's grandmother, Matriarch Ilara—the highest authority in the entire Frost Family.
"Damian!"
Ilara strode into the courtyard, her weathered eyes filled with concern.
"I heard about the assassins last night. Are you hurt?"
Her sharp gaze took in the entire scene—Damian standing unharmed, Seraphina cowering in the corner, and Aurora sheltered behind her grandson.
When her eyes met Aurora's clear, determined gaze, a flash of understanding crossed the old woman's face—she'd seen enough schemes in her lifetime to recognize truth.
"Grandmother, I'm fine."
Damian's murderous aura receded as he respectfully bowed to the matriarch.
Ilara nodded, opening her mouth to speak, when Seraphina cut in, her voice dripping with indignation.
"Matriarch Frost, thank God you're here!"
Seraphina jabbed a finger toward Aurora, venom in her voice.
"This impostor has been deceiving your grandson for three months! She's made a mockery of the Frost family!"
"What?"
Ilara's expression hardened instantly.
Taking this as encouragement, Seraphina grew smugger, her voice rising to a shrill pitch.
"Her name is Aurora Bell. The Monroe family merely hired her to care for Damian temporarily, but this opportunist had the audacity to pretend she was me—the Monroe heiress!"
"A substitute?"
Ilara's eyebrows knitted together, her voice dropping dangerously.
"You're telling me that for three months, an impostor has been by my grandson's side?"
"Exactly!"
Seraphina nodded eagerly.
"I'm the real Seraphina Monroe—Damian's rightful fiancée! This woman is nothing but a stand-in!"
The air grew thick with tension.
Ilara turned slowly, her shrewd eyes now blazing with fury.
She fixed Seraphina with a stare that could freeze blood, each word sharp as ice.
"Care to repeat that?"
Though intimidated by the matriarch's presence, Seraphina pressed on through clenched teeth.
"I'm telling you, this Aurora is a fraud! She's deceived Damian and your entire family!"
"How dare you!"
Ilara's fury exploded as she raised her wolf-headed cane and struck Seraphina across the arm.
"The Monroe family has some nerve! Trying to deceive the Frost family with a stand-in! Do you take us for fools?"
Seraphina yelped in pain, clutching her arm in shock.
She had expected the matriarch to banish Aurora in rage—never imagining the fury would be directed at her instead.
"I couldn't care less if she's an impostor. This 'fake,' as you call her, stayed by my grandson when he was suffering most—when even I couldn't approach him!"
Ilara's voice grew icier. She cared nothing for engagement contracts—only her grandson's wellbeing and the family's stability mattered.
"And you, the 'real' fiancée, ran like a coward! Now that he's recovered, you crawl back to claim your prize? Is the Frost family some kind of insurance policy?"
"No... that's not it!"
Seraphina waved her hands frantically, desperate to explain.
"I just... I..."
"Just what? Treating us like fools you can manipulate at will?"
Ilara's lip curled in disgust.
"The Monroe family—built on schemes and opportunism—dares to play these games with the Wolf Pack? As of today, all ties between our families are severed!"
She turned to Aurora, her tone stern but thawed.
"You. Come with me."
With that, she turned and strode toward the main house, her cane tapping against the stone, brooking no argument.
Damian caught Aurora's eye, giving her a reassuring look.
If Grandmother had come personally, she must already know something.
Aurora drew a deep breath and followed the matriarch.
Inside the study, Ilara waved away the servants.
She studied the nervous yet composed young woman before her. "I don't care if you're a substitute. I don't even care what your name is. I only want to know one thing: will you stay by his side forever?"
Aurora trembled slightly.
"You've seen my grandson's condition. He's like a wounded animal—only with you does he seem human again." Pain flashed across Ilara's weathered face. "I need you. The Frost Family needs you. Say yes, and your brother's future—everything you desire—will be provided."
Aurora fell silent. Her thoughts weren't of wealth or status, but of Damian's pain—that vulnerable moment when he'd sought comfort against her cheek after the bloodshed.
Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded.
"I will stay."
Not for any bargain, but for the broken man who needed her.
Ilara's lips curved into a satisfied smile. The Frost family's future was secure.
That night, Damian's announcement thundered through every corner of the city's underworld.
"From this day forward, Aurora Bell is my only woman—the future Mrs. Frost."
