They're Mine

Another tear slid down her cheek. Quickly she brushed it off using the back of her palm while sniffling and trying to rest her brain. 

The last thing she wanted was to have anyone see her in her weakness. Overlooking the tared road before her, every cell in Aurora's body lit up as her mind recalled her conversation with her father. 

~Flashback~

"W-What?!" Aurora's lips trembled, accompanied by a buzzing sound in her brain. Every cell and fibre in her being struggled with comprehending the words she heard. 

'After all, you are not our real child.'

'After all, you are not our real child.'

Zane Reign's indifferent expression did not change. Not even when a tear slid down Aurora's cheek as she lifted her eyes to look at him. 

It did not bother him. He was tired. 

"Father." He shut his eyes, his brows knitted. She felt the core of her stomach tighten in response. Was she that irritating or was it the idea of having her as a child that made him behave that way? 

"I expected nothing much from you. All I asked was for you to do one thing… just one single thing - marry Axel Jayden and help lift Royal Marble International." 

He pried his eyes open, anger swirling inside as he regarded her. "Business is going down but NO. Your selfish self could only consider her benefit and ruin such a great business venture for me." 

On and on he went, not failing to mix in a part of her mistakes at any given point he could. 

After trying to suppress her emotions for a long time, finally Aurora stood up abruptly, her cold glare settling on him. 

"You've said enough! I have heard you. I may not be your real child but one thing is sure, I will lift this family's company above any in this field." 

His untrust was evident in his eyes, notwithstanding, she added, "Mark my words. I won't let Mother's hard work be in vain."

A couple of seconds skipped by before he spoke again. "Why? You did not care before. Why does it matter now?"

"I won't pretend, Father, but consider it my little repayment for taking care of me all this while."

"If that's the case, then you will have to go and marry him. I am sure if you genuinely beg him and…"

The air in the room suddenly turned tense, her cold gaze shutting him up instantly. This time Aurora made sure she did not look intimidated by him or his words. 

"Regardless of the present or past, my stand remains. I won't sacrifice my happiness for someone else, especially your business."

~Flashback Ends~

Aurora never knew how she would feel being told she was an adopted child. Thinking back to everything her father said, she had only one plan in mind and seeing it through was a big 'YES' on her list. 

She had hoped to return once the burial procedures were over but now, it looked like fate had other plans for her. 

Brrrrhhhh!

Her attention was drawn to the sound of her phone ringing. She reached into her bag, took it out and checked the caller ID. 

Axel Jayden.

"You have got to be kidding me. What does he want?" 

Without waiting to find out, Aurora turned off her phone screen and walked off. 

The last thing she wanted was a distraction from her goal which was one place - Royal Marble International.

***********

"Damn it! She's not answering?!" 

Seated cross-legged in front of the glass desk separating himself from the angry man in front of him, Kyle leaned his head against his knuckles and smiled. 

"What? What's so funny?" Axel questioned as soon as he caught his best friend's smile. 

"Nothing much."

"Lies. I know that lopsided smile when I see it," he refuted. "You are having fun at my expense."

Kyle gave a shrug, his smile broadening, "Who wouldn't? This is the first time I've seen you this worked up because of a girl."

Axel grunted, earning him a chuckle from Kyle. "On second thought, it's the second time. The first being when she stood you up on the altar and now this. I must say, Aurora is truly a one-of-a-kind."

"Of course she is. I have keen eyes for uniqueness."

"Bragger."

No sooner had Kyle teased him when Axel's phone vibrated on his desk. Instinctively he glanced at the screen. It was Ace. 

Connecting the call, he placed the phone on his left ear. "Hello, Ace."

"Boss, I have sent the files to your mail. I think you should check them immediately."

"Got it."

He ended the call, disregarding Kyle's curious gaze and opened his laptop. A few taps in and he was reading through the document Ace sent. 

"Time frame after leaving and…" Axel's eyes widened as he rose to his feet almost immediately. "They're mine."

Not getting the picture, Kyle's eyes narrowed at him. "Uh? They are yours? Don't tell me you mean her kids."

"The very same ones," Axel said with a nod. "They are mine."

Rather than jubilate with his friend, Kyle shifted in his seat, his lips tugged downward as he threw his question. "How sure are you? Have you done a DNA test?"

Axel's brows furrowed. Why wasn't his friend believing him? 

"No," he admitted reluctantly. "But I know they are mine."

"Axel." Kyle's deep voice rang out, putting a stop to whatever maddening thought his friend had. 

"What other proof do I need when one of her kids' faces is a direct replica of mine as a child?"

Kyle heaved a deep sigh. He was being emotional now. And just because he thought they were his did not guarantee that Aurora would give in and let them be with him. 

He needed proof and he needed to think. 

"Get a damn DNA test and don't throw tantrums like a kid."

"But how?" Axel gestured towards his phone on the desk. "She isn't picking up my calls."

Another sigh escaped Kyle's lips. "Use your head, Xel. This city is not under your control for nothing, dummy. Use your power and get things done."

"Tsk, I hate it when you're right. Fine." Grabbing his phone from the desk, Axel placed a call to Ace. "I need some DNA samples from the kids. Get it done."

"Yes, Boss."

"Also, send me her location. We need to talk."