A Connection Formed.
Aurora’s POV
I slammed the door to my room, feeling angry and hurt. Why does Alessandro hate me so much?
I've tried to be friendly and welcoming, but he just pushes me away.
As I walked back and forth across my room, my phone rings. I see Annie's name on the screen and answer, grateful for the distraction.
"Hey, girl! What's wrong?" Annie asks, her voice full of concern.
I flop onto my bed, feeling a lump form in my throat.
"It's just Alessandro. He hates me, Annie. And I don't know why."
I pour out my heart to Annie, telling her about the tension at dinner and Alessandro's angry outburst.
“Why does he hate you so much, Aurora?” Annie asks
I sigh, feeling a mix of emotions.
"I don't know, Annie. I've tried to be friendly and welcoming, but he just pushes me away.
I feel like I've done something wrong, but I don't know what."
"Aurora, you don't deserve to be treated like that. You're an amazing person, and any family would be lucky to have you."
She said her voice full of concern for me, which I appreciated, but they don’t ease the pain I’m feeling.
“It’s just hard, Annie.
I feel like I'm trying so hard to fit in, but no matter what I do, Alessandro just hates me more and more."
Annie's voice is serious.
"Aurora, you can't let Alessandro's behavior define your self-worth. You are an amazing person, and you deserve to be treated with love and respect.
Don't let him get to you, okay?"
I nod, even though Annie can't see me. I know she's right, but it's hard to shake off the feeling of rejection.
"Thanks, Annie. Just talking to you makes me feel a little better."
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After I ended my chat with Annie, I sat there for a few minutes as I pondered on what she said.
“Anybody would be lucky to have me as part of their family.”
Then a thought crossed my mind.
“Maybe Annie's right," I thought to myself.
"Maybe I don't need Alessandro's approval to feel like I belong here.
Maybe I can prove to myself, and to the rest of the family, that I'm worthy of love and acceptance, no matter what Alessandro thinks."
With newfound determination, I got up from my bed and walked over to my desk.
I pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, and started writing down all the things I was grateful for.
My new family, my friends, my health, my life. As I wrote, I felt a weight lifting off my shoulders.
I realized that I didn't need Alessandro's approval to be happy, and that I had so much to offer, regardless of what he thought.
Just then, I heard a knock on my door and stopped what I was doing.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“Hey, Aurora, it's me, Leonardo. I came to check up on you.
Can I come in?”
When I heard his voice, I felt the connection again. I hesitated for a moment before making my way to open the door.
As I got to the door, I took a deep breath and then turned the knob to open it slightly, careful not to invite him in. He smiled softly, his eyes smiling at the corners, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
“I know it's late, but I was worried about you and thought I should come check in on you.
How are you?”
I felt a flutter in my chest when I saw Leonardo's concerned and kind eyes. I hesitated, unsure how much to share.
But his gentle smile and soft voice made me feel better.
I looked up, my voice low.
"I'm okay." I paused, collecting my thoughts.
"Just dealing with some stuffs.”
Leonardo's face lit up with a warm smile. He leaned in, his eyes sparkling with understanding.
“Let me guess, Alessandro?”
I nodded slowly, my eyes locking onto his. Leonardo's eyes furrowed slightly, his face filled with concern. He nodded thoughtfully.
"I figured as much."
His brow relaxed, and a small smile played on his lips.
"He can be a bit of a handful sometimes."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by Leonardo's honesty. A small laugh escaped my lips.
"That's an understatement."
Leonardo's face lit up with a warm chuckle, his eyes smiling at the corners.
"Yeah, well, Alessandro has his own way of doing things."
Leonardo leaned in, his tone soft.
"But I want you to know that not everyone in this family shares his views."
His words gave me hope, and I sat up straighter, my eyes locking onto his.
"Really?" I asked softly.
Leonardo nodded, his smile soft and reassuring. He reached out and put a hand on my arm, his touch gentle.
"Really," he said, his eyes holding mine.
"I think you're a great addition to this family, Aurora. And I'm not the only one who thinks so."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest, a sense of belonging that I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Thanks, Leonardo." I smiled softly.
"That means a lot to me."
We stood there for a moment. I felt a connection with Leonardo that I couldn't explain.
"Hey, Leonardo?"
I asked quietly. He looked at me, his eyes locked on mine.
"Can I ask you something?"
He nodded, smiling softly.
"What is it?"
“Is Lena your mate?”
Leonardo looked away, his smile fading.
"Yes."
His voice was low. I took a step back, surprised. My hands rose to my chest.
"Oh…wow. I didn’t know." I said, my voice filled with surprise.
Leonardo smiled, but his face became serious again. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort.
"But I don’t love her, and I have rejected her. However, she has refused to accept my rejection."
His eyes looking around the room, as if searching for an escape.
My face softened, and I took a step closer to Leonardo, my hands reaching out to him.
"That must be really tough for you," I said, my voice soft and comforting.
"Feeling trapped like that."
Leonardo nodded, his eyes filled with frustration. He ran his hands through his hair, his fingers tangling in the strands.
"It is. And it's even harder because my father is insisting that I marry her, and I don't know how to make him understand that I can't do it."
His voice cracked with emotion.
My eyes filled with compassion for him. I understood his pain and I wanted to do anything to help, but what?