Chapter 3: The Turning Point

For weeks, Darius and Aurora's tension had been steadily increasing. Every exchange of looks and words was full with unsaid sentiments and unspoken words. Squabbling egos and unbending wills had always defined their relationship, if relationship it was. Darius was accustomed to being in control of every circumstance, but Aurora never gave him that luxury.

The day had started like any other, their simmering anger boiling over. They were engaged in a high-stakes commercial negotiation that would determine the success of Aurora's most recent creation. Darius insisted on having last say on every aspect, as usual. Knowing how much was at stake, Aurora bit her tongue for a time as he maintained that his path was the only one. However, when Darius proposed adjustments that posed a threat, Aurora could no longer bear to completely jeopardize her vision.

"Why do you always do this?" In the perfect calm of his office, Aurora's voice boomed out, her green eyes sparkling with annoyance. You believe that you can just trample everyone and have your way, but this is something I invented, Darius. Not just your identity, but also mine is at stake."

Darius narrowed his piercing blue gaze. "Aurora, this isn't personal. This is the commercial world. You must be realistic if you want this agreement to go through."

"Practical?" With a sneer, Aurora raised her hands. "When you're the one who wants to alter every aspect that makes this endeavor special, you're talking about pragmatics! For me, it isn't about the money. The goal is to create something significant."

That's where Darius and I diverge remarked, sounding more icy than before. "I'm not concerned about sentiment. Results are important to me."

Enraged, Aurora shook her head. "Control is important to you. To you, that is all this is. You're too scared to express your opinions to anybody else since doing so leaves you feeling exposed, and heaven forbid Darius Knight ever experiences vulnerability."

Darius was taken aback by the charge more than he anticipated. Susceptible? It had been years since he'd let himself feel vulnerable, and he wasn't going to start now. Silently, "Enough," he whispered, his tone authoritative enough to leave no space for disagreement. "This conversation is over."

Aurora, though, wasn't done. Exasperated, she slammed the lid on her laptop and got up from the chair. Alright, Darius. Now let's wrap up the discussion. However, don't assume that I'm going to back off and let you abuse me. I've put in too much work to allow someone like you to control my destiny."

She rushed out of his office after saying that, leaving Darius standing there, caught between wanting to be with her and feeling angry. Aurora resembled an uncontrollable natural force that was hard to ignore. And he was afraid of that.

Aurora ended up standing outside Darius's penthouse in the rain later that evening. She was only aware that she had to make the decision to come even if she didn't know why. Something simmered under the surface of their disputes, something none of them had admitted to being there.

Half-expecting Darius to send her away, she knocked on the door. To her astonishment, however, he opened it; his face was inscrutable. He appeared more vulnerable and human than she had ever seen him since his shirt sleeves were pulled up and his suit jacket was gone.

Darius remarked, "You shouldn't be here," but he didn't seem very angry.

"Maybe not," Aurora said in a quieter tone than before. However, I was unable to let things remain as they were. We must have a conversation."

Though his mouth was clenched with strain, Darius moved aside to let her in. Entering the large living area, Aurora was greeted by a stunning view of the city lights below thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her heart was a mirror image of the tempest outside, a whirlwind of feelings she was unable to really comprehend.

She turned to face Darius and said, "I don't understand you." "One moment you're pushing me away, the next..."

As Darius moved in closer and fixed her focused stare, her words faltered. His body was emanating heat despite his frigid exterior. "And the next what?" he said, his voice low.

Feeling the energy crackle in the air between them, Aurora swallowed. "And the next, it feels like you want something more."

Though Darius's breath caught, he remained still. He desired her. From the minute she entered his office, she had challenged all of his preconceived notions about the world, and he had desired her. But desiring her meant losing control, and he needed control to maintain order in his life.

Aurora moved in closer, her fingertips making tiny marks on his shirt that caused sparks to fly through his epidermis. "Darius, you don't have to keep acting like this. I'm able to look right through you."

It seemed as though time had stopped for a second. With every instinct screaming for him to push her away, to reclaim the power that was ebbing from him, Darius gazed at her, his resolve breaking. But before he could stop himself, he closed the space between them as Aurora's touch was like fire, melting the ice surrounding his heart.

A kiss as intense as their fights broke out between their lips. It was a release of all the suppressed feelings they had been holding inside, including frustration, desire, and passion. Aurora's fingers entangled themselves in Darius's hair as his hands found her waist, drawing her closer and extending the kiss.

It was pouring rain outside as they staggered toward the couch, the city lights shimmering behind them. When they gave in to the long-brewing need, the world around them dimmed. They felt thrills down their spines with every touch and kiss.

With his breath hot on her skin, Darius's lips moved down her neck. As she drew him in closer, Aurora's heart raced, wanting to forget everything but this feeling and this moment. It was everything she didn't know she needed—it was passionate, honest, and true.

However, Aurora sensed the distance in Darius's touch even as they gave in to their passion—the part of him that was still holding back, scared to give her all the entryway. Despite sensing his dread and unwillingness to relinquish control, she persisted. She would prove to him tonight that love was nothing to be afraid of and that it really made him stronger rather than weaker.

Aurora woke up by herself the following morning.

Golden light filled the area as sunshine poured in through the large windows. Despite the early warmth, the chilly emptiness next to her remained unabated. Darius had vanished.

With a sinking heart, she pulled the covers around herself and sat up, realizing what had occurred. It had been the ideal moment of connection, one she had long yearned for but hadn't anticipated, last night. However, now that daylight was here, Darius had returned to his shell, leaving her rear.

His look remained enigmatic even though he was already dressed in his immaculate suit when she discovered him in the kitchen. He was pouring himself a cup of coffee with mechanical precision without looking at her as she drew closer.

"Darius…" With a hint of hurt in her voice, Aurora began. "Last night…"

"It was a mistake," Darius said, his voice abrupt and decisive. "It shouldn't have happened."

With her pulse pounding from the remoteness in his voice, Aurora fixed her gaze on his. "Error? Is that all you felt it was?"

When their gazes finally met, Darius's were harsh and unwavering. Indeed. It was little more than a mistake of judgment."

Tears were prickling at the edges of Aurora's eyes, but she would not allow them to fall. She had known Darius was convoluted, that icy layers surrounded his heart. However, she had believed—hoped—that she had succeeded.

She said, "Darius, don't do this." "I'm aware that you had feelings. You are someone I know—"

"What I felt is irrelevant," he cut in, his tone acerbic. "This can't happen again."

Aurora stepped back, her heart pounding. "You're shoving me away because you're scared," she stated, crying in her voice. "You're afraid of losing control and what this signifies. However, Darius, you don't need to be worried. I'm not here to cause you harm.

With his jaw tightened, Darius's eyes flickered with an enigmatic look. "Fear is not the issue here. It concerns pragmatism. We collaborate on projects. Combining emotional and professional emotions can lead to tragedy."

Aurora shook her head, not allowing him to ignore her. "You're deceiving yourself. You understand that this is more than simply business."

With stiff shoulders, Darius glanced aside, but he remained silent. Their mutual silence was oppressive and oppressive.

With a strong, determined voice, Aurora declared, "I'm not going to let you retreat into your shell." "I won't allow you to push me away. You're afraid, and that's acceptable. However, I'm staying put."

Aurora sensed the tension in Darius's eyes even though he didn't say anything. Though she was aware that it would take time, she wasn't giving up. Not right now. Not after their shared experience.

Aurora knew the struggle for Darius's affections was far from finished as she walked out of his apartment that morning. However, she was prepared for combat.