Prologue

POV: Princess Aurelia Morgan

***

They say you can never have everything in life. However, you have given with two gifts to make it a bit lighter and better: a gift of chance and choice.

But what if I only had the chance but not the choice?

I sip my glass of water as I try to mingle with the old woman that my mother is talking to. I am already bored to death, but I can’t complain or leave her in the crowd.

“Of course! Princess is such a great cook. You can visit us one of these days.” My mother, Aurora Morgan, smilingly said.

I want to roll my eyes as my ears begin to burn with annoyance.

But I know that once I do that, I will be tasting my own medicine from my own mother once we get home, so I just refrain myself from doing so.

The older woman she is talking into, gently smiles at me. I smile back – well, that is, if I don’t want my mother to get mad at me later… I need to.

I must do it.

Every movement that I must make in this party is calculated. Well, not just at this party but in my entire life, I need to please her and always do what she says.

‘Aurelia, do this… and do that…’

I even remember her words while we are waiting for our limousine a while ago.

***Flashback…

“Remember to be friendly and prim, Aurelia. We will be meeting a lot of people at the party, so be your best self.” My mother reminded me as she checked my dress.

“And don’t slouch!” She corrected me as I stood up properly.

“Okay, good. Now, smile…”

***End of Flashback…

“I also heard she graduated with the highest Latin honor in her batch. You must be so proud of her.” The older woman said her praises as she takes a swift glance at me.

My mother let out a hearty chuckle. She must be very pleased because of the woman’s commendation now.

Well, I am not surprised. I am their trophy, anyway.

“Oh, she is! She is such a clever woman – not to mention an achiever and also a leader. Her professors are truly lauding her for her hard work.”

Aurora must be so pleased by the flow of their conversation.

“You must be so proud.”

Those words hit me like a bullet – it clenches my chest. I try hard to maintain a smiling face.

“But I heard she is not still working for the company. I bet she will be a great asset.” The old woman continued.

I swallow hard as I taste the bitterness at the pit of my stomach. I feel my heart sinks as I remember what my mother’s thoughts were about that matter.

I take another sip from my wine glass before looking away. I will just let her answer everything for me.

My mother tries to give the older woman a smile as she takes a swift glance at me. I slightly bow my head – as I try to swallow the words that want to escape from my mouth.

I don’t even try to reason out of that certain comment because I know that I am not in the position to do so. Or, more specifically, I don’t have the guts to intervene in my mother’s conversation.

And above all, I have no choice but to shut my mouth.

“Oh, she’s busy with her etiquette class. And my father is thinking that she still needs to enroll in her master’s degree.” Aurora flawlessly explained.

The older woman seems very pleased.

“She truly is a hard-working daughter. She won’t settle for less and is preparing herself for the future, huh?” The old woman stated.

Aurora just giggles before she takes her wine and sips a bit.

“Besides, she will be marrying soon, so it doesn’t seem that important.” Aurora finally added.

My eyes widen, and I try to relax. I must be careful with my actions. However, my emotions can’t just rest when I am all too shocked by her revelation!

‘What the hell? I am marrying soon?!’ A part of my mind is already sending me warning bells.

I look at her in confusion and slight irritation, but she just shrugs it away.

“Oh, really? But I thought… Well, anyway, congratulations, dear. Who is the lucky man?” The old woman kindly congratulated me as she looked at me with her dreamy eyes.

I remain silent and just give her a small smile. I am not sure how to answer her this time. I take a swift glance at my mother or else – I will surely spit nonsense words once I open my mouth now.

“Oh, we will announce soon.” Aurora instantly saves me from it.

Well, she must because my mind is already in complete chaos right now. I swallow hard and look away. I am trying to ease my mind about my mother’s revelation, but I just can’t. It is certainly freaking me out!

“I’m sorry, Madam, Mom, but I just need to go to the bathroom. Please excuse me.” I sophisticatedly said before standing up.

I didn’t wait for any of their reply. I just want to go away… and fast.

My legs tremble and my heart is clenching in pain as I walk towards the balcony instead of the bathroom – where I really didn’t intend to go in the first place.

I hold the cold bronze railings as I let my sparkling amber wavy hair dance with the cold breeze from the beach. We are currently at a high-end resort, and I must say that if it weren’t for the party or the people around me, I would certainly enjoy the view.

The huge and prestigious party is thrown by one of our shareholders – and it is too much for me to bear.

I want to take a break – to breathe and to gather myself.

I let out a deep sigh as I closed my eyes – feeling the soothing cold breeze, hoping that it would eventually ease my mind and my heart.

Being in this world is truly exhausting – not to mention my parents’ manipulation of my life.

“A beauty like yours shouldn’t be hiding alone here.” A soft voice suddenly interrupted the serenity of the place.

I am about to complain and tell whoever it is to leave me alone when I am dumbfounded at what I see.

The McGregor heir is standing right in front of me in flesh!

He’s more gorgeous in person and at this distant!

However, my forehead creases as I try to remember his name.

‘Get a grip on yourself, Aurelia! Remember, that you are off to marry soon.’

That thought makes me grunt a little bit louder that I intend to.

The man chuckles and I blush profusely.

“So, care to share why are you here?” He simply asked.

He’s friendly, I thought.

“W-Well, I… I just want to take a breath.” I sighed nervously.

He is about to reply when a man – which I recall being his friend – suddenly interjected between us.

“Here you are, Lawrence! I’ve been looking out for you. Everything’s set. Let’s go!” He simply called him.

His friend didn’t see me because he’s standing in between. His shadow fills me – like fate don’t want us to be seen together.

‘Who is this man again?’ I thought.

Lawrence?

Then, my eyes widen when I realize something.

This man is Lawrence McGregor! How can she forget who he is!

Lawrence takes a swift glance at me and smiles.

I just wanna faint! But that’s not a sophisticated thing to do.

“See you around, mademoiselle.” He playfully stated before he follows his friend.

That’s the only time that I realize, I am already holding my breath. Lawrence might think that I am just a mere stranger – well, maybe. But not to me.

My parents love talking about the billionaire bachelors that is ‘suited’ to me and Lawrence is not an exemption. In fact, he’s the first on the list!

But now, my parents seem like they have found a predator whom they can lure – and me as their bait.

I swallow the lump in my mouth – as I control myself not to let my unshed tears flow on my cheeks… or else, my mom will know and that will be a nightmare for me.

“The heck, Aurelia! I already searched the entire place looking out for you!”

I instantly flinched when I heard my mother’s voice – controlled but furious. Before I can even face her, she already holds my arm firmly and pulls me towards her.

Her tight grip stings my skin, but I am more concern about her mad expression. Her light brown eyes – resemble hers – are burning with pure fury and irritation. I bit my lower lip.

“I already told you not to leave my side, right, Aurelia?” She furiously stated.

My heart begins to thump so fast inside my chest. I already know where this conversation is going, and I am truly worried.

Especially that she is calling me by my second name now.

Princess is gone – a representation of a goody-goody, meek, and submissive daughter. And Aurelia is out – the stubborn and disobedient side of her.

“I… I am s-sorry, Mom.”

I bite my lower lip as I slightly bow my head down.

“The fuck, Aurelia! I already see the McGregors! And yet you aren’t around! And now, that Clinton girl is all over the place – getting all of the attention that should be yours!” Aurora gritted her teeth as she said those words.

“I just want to take some time-off, Mom. Besides…”

I swallow the lump in my throat as I stop the words, but I just can’t.

The good emotions are all gone now and all that’s left is my hart aching in pain as I remember her talking about my marriage.

‘How can it ever slip in my mind… that this is possible. That they might be training her to be a submissive wife.’

“What?”

“I don’t know that I will be getting married s-soon.” My voice starts to croak as my eyes blur because of the unshed tears.

My mother chuckles. She never believes my tears nor my sadness and pain.

“Of course! That is what you need to do, even from the very beginning! What the heck would you intend to do? That you will be leading the company? Come on, Aurelia, that is not the position that you need to take. You just need to serve your husband, be a good girl, and follow everything for him to be satisfied. That’s it.”

I feel disgusted and horrified by her words. My eyes widen as my jaw slightly drops. I can’t believe that I am hearing things like this from my own mother.

“W-What?” I murmured under my breath.

Aurora continues her sermons and plans for my life as I close my eyes. I mentally let out a deep sigh – and I let her words pass my ears. I didn’t want her words to get into my system – no, I won’t allow it!

“Are you listening to me?!”

My heart jumps as my mother’s words heighten her pitch.

“M-Mom, someone might hear you. P-Please tone down your voice. Just go back to the party. Dad must be looking for you. I will follow you immediately.” I calmly told her.

She eyes me suspiciously before she takes a deep breath – calming herself.

“Fine. And prepare yourself. I don’t want that Clinton girl to get the spotlight. Not tonight.” Aurora strictly reminded me before she walked towards the party.

I heaved a deep sigh.

This is my life. They call me lucky for living such an extravagant and perfect life that other people are jealous of.

However, having this kind of lavishness always has a price to pay.

I blink my eyes and bite my lower lip to restrain the emotions that are slowly escaping from the depths of me.

This kind of life has taken a lot from me.

Like my smile, which doesn’t represent my true happiness… like my words that don’t incorporate my real emotions… like my gestures, which are always calculated… like my choices aren’t truly my own to make…

Because I am not free to do so.

I am not in control – like a puppet being manipulated.

No real emotions to express… no real movements to do… no real decisions to make.

My mind drifts back to reality as I hear the loud cheering from the people in the party. The first thing I see is my mother throwing me some deadly glares.

And as I look back to where the commotion – more of a happy and loud cheering – is coming from, I see a man holding a small red velvet box, where a shimmering diamond engagement ring is.

Everyone is cheering for the woman to say ‘yes.’

Now, I realize what is happening.

Velice Clinton, the daughter of my parents’ self-declared enemy, is being chased by the multi-billionaire heir of the McGregor clan – who is with me a while ago.

I feel a tinge of pain slowly dripping inside my chest. I don’t know why but I feel jealous all of a sudden.

He’s friendly a while ago. He might be a good catch, huh?

I look away, only to meet my parents’ deadly glares at me.

With that, I already know what I need to do.

This isn’t the life that I want. This isn’t the life that I will continue to live.

Because if I do, I know that it will eventually push me to my limits and cause me to destroy myself.

I just need to fight for myself – even though it means leaving this luxury… and leaving my parents alone.

And I will.

I need to.

I will leave… not because I don’t love my parents enough.

I love them… truly.

But I won’t allow them to control my life forever.

I won’t let them decide for me for the rest of my life.

And I am left with no choice.

The first choice that I am certain of making.

I will be choosing myself and my happiness this time.