You Are Free

Aurora lowered the car window and tried to get out, but Thomas Moon held her back and asked her to remain inside.

"Alright, Dad, why are you here? Don't you have a job to do?" Aurora asked, her voice filled with concern. Her father should have been butlering Alex's father inside.

"I'm going to be fine for the next 30 minutes. Master won't need me until then," Thomas replied as he took out a white envelope beneath his black suit. Before giving it to his daughter, he said, "Happy birthday, Rory. This is my gift to you. I hope it will make your life easier..."

Aurora couldn't contain her happiness when she received a birthday gift from her father. However, her father's last words left her confused.

"Dad, what is this?" she asked, staring at the white envelope in her hand.

Thomas smiled excitedly, "Hurry, open it, Rory..." 

Despite her confusion, Aurora quickly opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. 

As she read the contents, she was left in shock, unable to find the words to express her joy.

"D-Dad, how could you get this? H-How...?" Aurora stammered. She was shocked to read the paper.

"This is the only gift I've wanted to give you since the day you were born," Thomas replied, his voice trembling as he struggled to control his overwhelming emotions.

Seeing tears welling in his daughter's eyes, Thomas continued his words. "Since your mother passed away, I've been pleading with the old Master to grant you your freedom. And today, he finally agreed."

Aurora's sobs grew louder as she heard the words she had often dreamed of. Tears flowed even more fiercely, soaking her cheeks.

"Oh, my daughter... you are now free. You no longer have to work for young Master Alex. With that letter, he cannot stop you." 

Sobs caught in Aurora's throat, making her struggle to speak. She never expected that her father had worked hard for her freedom for so long. She never imagined this moment would arrive. 

This "Freedom" is undoubtedly the most valuable birthday gift she could ever wish for, far more significant than anything else.

"Dad. I really appreciate it. I-I'm not sure how to express my gratitude, but I feel that way, Dad. This is the greatest gift I have ever received from anyone. Thank you so much."

Thomas beams with joy at his daughter's happiness. He speaks again after allowing her to calm her emotions for a few seconds.

"Rory, this is the only way to break this foolish blood bond between the Graystone and Moon families. That letter will free us from our debt to this family. I will be the last Moon to serve them." He softly patted his daughter's shoulder.

"D-Dad..." Aurora still tries to contain her shock. "T-Thank you!"

"Alright, you can go now. Go celebrate your birthday with your friends. There's no need to wait for your Master; I will drive him home."

Aurora shook her head as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Dad, you don't need to drive him. I'll call his driver to come."

Thomas remained silent but nodded in agreement with her. After a brief conversation with Aurora, he returned to the house.

This is the first time he feels lighter on his feet. His smile widens as he whispers, "Cecilia, my wife, I hope you're happy up there. Our daughter finally gets her freedom..."

…

After speaking with Alvin Russel and asking him to pick up Alex, Aurora took a moment to think before typing a text message.

"I'm sorry, Master. I can't wait. I've already called Alvin to pick you up."

Aurora didn't linger there long; she quickly drove toward Serendipity Cafe.

Just a few moments later, a beep sounded, distracting her. She glanced at the new message and was not surprised to see it was from Alex.

"Aurora Moon, this is an order. Return here, or you will face your first punishment! I mean it!"

Instead of feeling angry after reading his reply, Aurora laughed. 

In the past, she could only dream of the opportunity to stop working for Alexander Graystone. Every time he threatened her, she obediently complied. 

But now, she no longer needed to worry about it. She had a letter of agreement from Alex's grandfather that allowed her to leave the Graystone family.

After ignoring Alex's text for a few more minutes, another message came in. 

"Rory, I'll be done in fifteen minutes. You need to be there when I step out!"

Aurora sighed deeply after reading Alex's text. 

Worried that Alex might call her, she sent a voice message: "Alex, I can't. I need to celebrate my birthday."

After sending the voice message, she tossed her cell phone onto the passenger seat and focused on the dark, empty street ahead. Her heart tightened as she raced down the empty road.

Graystone's main house rested atop the hill, overlooking the city. Only a few wealthy families in the country resided there, making it rare for a car to pass by.

Aurora sped, hoping not to keep her friends waiting too long. However, mere seconds later, she was shocked to see a car racing toward her in the distance. 

Before she could react, a loud 'bang' echoed, ringing in her ears. 

A searing pain shot through her, a metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils, and moments later, a burning flame engulfed her. 

Everything happened so fast. 

Stillness lingers...

...

Darkness, coldness, and loneliness blended into one, overwhelming her. 

Even though she commanded every muscle to open her eyes, not a hint of light reached them.

"Help! Hello! Can anyone hear me? Please help!"

Her scream became lodged in her throat. 

Suddenly, she realized she no longer felt anything—not even the rhythm of her heartbeat.

Her human senses had utterly abandoned her.

All that seemed to remain was her mind and soul. Perhaps.

She was lost, unable to understand what had just happened.

This nameless sensation was utterly bizarre and horrifying.

She had never faced anything worse than this in her entire life.

'The explosion... Did it throw me into this void? Into this emptiness?'

She wondered, terrified.

'No! How can I die like this? God, why did You take me so quickly?'

A chilling thought tormented her mind.

'What about my dad? Who will take care of him? Please, send me back! I promise I'll be a better person, kinder. Whatever you ask of me, I'll do it! God, please, can You send me back? Just give me one more chance?'

Amidst her fear of the eerie silence and the suffocating darkness, she faintly heard a distant female voice.

"Oh my god, Miss Aurora..."