The kitchen table was littered with papers: electricity bills, credit card statements, and a notification of grandma Maggie’s prescription expiry for the month.
Aurora stared down at her banking app on her phone.
She had only $14 and a few change to her name.
She bit her upper lip and tried to breathe.
The retail job paid minimum wage for 15 hours a week—not even close to enough.
She took it as a backup plan before she could figure something out, but it wouldn’t even get them by.
Jude had also gotten a part-time job at the convenience store, trying to contribute as well, even though she told him to focus on his studies.
Jude was at work by this time, while grandma Maggie was next door at Mrs. Herrera’s, gossiping about stuff to keep herself out of her granddaughter’s hair.
Poor Aurora was alone, with nothing to distract her from her looming responsibilities.
Her eyes drifted to the card on the table, the black business card she got from Rhett that had Silas Black’s initials on it.
She threw it away twice and picked it out of the trash both times.
It just felt like a saving grace she could use when she didn’t have any choices left.
There’s a soft jiggle at the door.
Probably Jude returning from his shift.
The door was pushed open and the strong, flowery perfume hit Aurora’s nose before she could turn.
Astrid.
Aurora whipped around, staring blankly at her older sister and the first daughter of the Bennetts, who ran away from her responsibilities.
They stared at each other like they didn’t share the same blood.
Astrid strutted into the kitchen, her red bottom heels clicking against the worn out wooden floors.
Aurora followed her movements until she set her little designer bag on the counter and sat on a stool.
She was wearing a cream-colored frilly blouse with white leather shorts, and her hair was freshly made.
Her perfectly manicured fingers drummed against the counter.
she looked like the complete opposite of the girl who used to sleep in sweats and wore comfy clothes.
“What are you doing here?” Aurora asked flatly.
“Hello to you too sister,” Astrid greeted with a patronizing smile.
“I know you didn’t come to visit out of the goodness of your heart, so spit out what you want.”
“You haven’t changed one bit, Rory. Acting like the all-knowing.” Astrid crossed her legs.
“Though, this time you’re right. I need to speak to you. And it’s important.”
Aurora stared at her sister’s face for two seconds before she begrudgingly grabbed a stool and sat down.
“Speak.”
Aurora paused for a second, believing she had misheard her sister’s words.
Then she let out a hollow, shocked laugh when she realized she hadn’t.
“Did you really come all this way here just to crack a joke?
“It’s not a joke, Rory. i don’t have anything left,” Astrid says.
“Marcus froze all my accounts, Saying I have to learn how to budget. Just because I bought a $200,000 purse with his black card.” Astrid rolled her eyes like it wasn’t a big deal.
Aurora’s mouth hung open as she watched a stranger in her sister’s skin.
“you spent $200,000 on a Purse while Maggie’s prescriptions are still overdue?”
Astrid stared at Aurora for a second.
“Well, you have that handled, don’t you?” she shrugged, as her eyes drifted to the bills on the table, then to the black card and the folder beside them.
“What’s that?” she said, reaching for it before Aurora could stop her.
It was too late as she already swiped it up, twirling the black card in her hand.
“Where did you get this from?” Astrid asked, her eyes wide seemingly recognising the Name.
Aurora doesn’t answer.
Astrid swiped up the folder before Aurora could stop her, tearing it open to scan the contents, her eyes widening awith every line.
“Position of secretary to Silas Black,” she said, reading a line out loud.
“Full time with $20,000 salary, benefits included.”
She raised her eyes to Aurora as she read the last line.
“Aurora, what…How did you get this?”
“That’s none of your business,” Aurora said, grabbing the folder and and the card out of Astrid’s hands.
“Wait. Don’t tell me—”
“I’m not taking it.”
“Would you drop the self-righteous act?!” Astrid exclaimed, standing up to Aurora.
“This is a way out for all of us! This salary alone could—”
“Us? There is no us, Astrid. you made sure of that when you walked out on your own family. And Even if I take this job, what makes you think that I’ll give you a single penny? Even if I were to take it, it would all be for grandmama’s medication and for Jude’s tuition,” Aurora yelled, her eyes glaring at her sister.
“You selfish bitch,” Astrid gritted out.
“That’s very rich coming from you.” Aurora fired back, turning away from Astrid, but she didn’t make it far before Astrid grabbed her arm and spun her around to face her.
“Are you really going to let your arrogance get in the way of maggie’s health and Jude’s education? Look at you! You are struggling! You wouldn’t even make it to the end of this week if you keep going at this pace.”
“If ignorance was bliss, you’d really be the happiest person alive, Astrid,” Aurora said.
“Silas Black is the father of the man who tried to destroy our family. The same family that got me in this situation in the first place. The same family who nearly got Jude sent to prison, and you want me to work for them?”
“This is your problem, Aurora. You’re too emotional,” Astrid said, stepping closer.
“You always let your pride and your stubbornness get in the way of everything. And look where it has gotten you now—still living in this run-down house and watching Maggie get sicker by the day.”
“Don’t” Aurora’s voice went low and dangerous.
“I’ve been busy, Aurora. There are charities, balls, events, dinners. I’m not just sitting around. I have a role to play now. I have responsibilities and connections to build, and unlike you, I don’t run away from them,” Astrid said.
There was a long silence that stretched between them.
“Take the job,” she said quietly.
“For once in your life, stop fighting and just take the help.”
Aurora was quiet for a moment before she stepped closer to her sister, the same dark brown eyes staring back at her.
“I’ll never sell myself out, like you did. Not to Silas Black or anyone else.”
Astrid’s expression morphed to cold anger.
“Fine. Then pay me back.”
Aurora blinked at her.
“What?”
“The money I lent you last year to pay for rent and Maggie’s medication. I gave you $3,000 and I want it back.”
“You know I don’t have the money.”
“Yes, I do,” Astrid said with a cruel smile.
“but that is your problem, sister. And if you don’t send it by the end of the day, I will make your life a living hell.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I am completely serious,” Astrid said, picking up her handbag.
“I’ve tried to reason with you, Rory. But if you want to throw away a huge opportunity just because of your pride, don’t expect me to keep carrying you.”
“When have you ever carried us? You threw money at us once and then disappeared.”
“If you don’t send the money by tonight, the next time we meet is going to be in court,” Astrid said as she walked towards the door.
She paused for a second, turning back to Aurora.
“Think about it, sister. You have until midnight.”
The door slammed shut and Aurora stumbled back, catching herself against the kitchen counter, her hands trembling.
What was she supposed to do.
Where was she supposed to get $3,000 from when she was already struggling with their bills?
She thought for a long moment before she grabbed the black card that was still on the counter.
She stared at it for a long moment, her thumb tracing the engraved number on it before she pulled out her phone and dialed.
“Rhett speaking.”
Aurora sucked a breath.
“Its Aurora Bennett…about the job, I will take it.”