Chapter 4

Aurora and I were from the same village.

She used to follow me around everywhere when we were kids, always pestering me to play house and often saying that when she grew up, she'd be my bride.

Later, when we were in middle school, her parents passed away.

Then, Aurora was taken away.

I heard her biological parents found her and took her to live a good life.

For many years after that, I never saw Aurora again.

It wasn't until after my mother's funeral, after I had already agreed to work at Scarlett Corp, that Aurora suddenly reappeared.

She knelt before my mother's grave, burning offerings and incense, her eyes red and swollen. She looked at me and said, "Liam, I'm back!"

I didn't ask much about Aurora's experiences over the years. I only knew that she had spent most of her time abroad and that her family treated her very well.

Knowing she hadn't suffered made me happy enough.

But when she heard that Scarlett and I were dating, Aurora fell silent for a long time.

Finally, she said to me, "Auntie may be gone, but you still have me."

"No matter what, I'll always be behind you!"

"This time, I'm back for good. I'm planning to open a small company here."

"If you and Scarlett find your happy ending and get married, I'll bless you."

"But if you two can't make it work... just remember, I'll always be waiting for you!"

As I recalled these memories, Aurora picked up a bowl of porridge from a thermos. She gently told me, "Have some porridge first. You haven't eaten in two days, surviving only on IV fluids."

"The doctor said you were lucky. If you had been a little less fortunate, that kick from Scarlett could have caused immediate cardiac arrest and shock."

"Diving into a freezing pool in the dead of winter to get Scarlett's high heels? How could you be so foolish?"

"If the police hadn't arrived in time, Scarlett and her friends might have actually killed you..."

Listening to Aurora's concerned rambling, I quietly ate my porridge. After a long while, I softly asked, "You called the police?"

Aurora hummed in affirmation. "A few days ago, you suddenly started selling off all your assets, low-balling your property and cars regardless of the losses. I knew Scarlett must be putting you through another one of her so-called 'tests of love.'"

"How many times has she played you? Are you still that blind?"

My face flushed slightly. I gave a bitter smile. "She and I are done!"

"Ninety-nine 'tests of love' have completely erased any feelings I had for her."

Aurora's eyes lit up, and a radiant smile spread across her face. "Tomorrow is your wedding with her. If you don't show up, she'll be utterly humiliated, and the Scarlett family will denounce you. Aren't you afraid they'll ruin your reputation?"

I jokingly replied, "If the Scarlett family targets me, if I can't find a job anymore, will you..."

Before I could finish, she looked at me with serious eyes. "Yes!"

"I'll support you for life!"

"Even if the whole world stands against you, I'll always be by your side to fight against it."

"Just like when I fell into the water as a child and you saved me with all your might."

"You protected my childhood back then."

"Now, I have the ability to protect you for the rest of your life!"

"Three years ago, I missed my chance with you."

"This time, I won't!"

On the wedding day, the hotel ballroom was packed with guests.

The Scarlett family bustled around, but their faces were grim.