A Declaration of War

**AURORA**

"How dare you?" I repeated, staring Roman down through his car window. I straightened and stepped back. "Tell my mother I'll call her tonight. My way, on my terms."

Roman's face hardened as he rolled up his window. The sleek Mercedes pulled away, leaving me standing in the parking lot surrounded by scattered rose petals.

Something inside me had shifted. The old Aurora would have crumbled under Roman's emotional blackmail. She would have rushed to her mother, desperate to make things right.

But I wasn't that person anymore.

I gathered the fallen roses, tucking the small card into my pocket. I would read Kian's words in private, away from prying eyes.

When I returned to my desk, Mia and Olivia exchanged concerned glances.

"Everything okay?" Olivia asked.

I set the disheveled bouquet on my desk. "Just family drama."

"The flowers are gorgeous," Mia offered. "Secret admirer?"

"Something like that," I muttered, turning back to my computer.