Chapter 2 Betrayed

Albert's phone rang just as he stepped out of Kylee's house.

Seeing his mother's name on the screen, he answered immediately. "Mom."

"Albert, promise me you won't do anything reckless" his mother said, her voice firm.

He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. "Mom, after everything that's happened today, how do you expect me to stay calm?"

"I know you are angry. You need to think this through, not act on emotions. Bring Aurora home and sort this out calmly."

Albert hesitated, feeling his anger rise. "Mom, I need to take care of this. I can't just sit back and do nothing."

"I understand that, dear," his mother said. "But you need to think about the consequences of your actions. You can't just rush in and expect everything to work out. You need a plan."

Albert sighed, feeling frustrated. "Mom, I know what I'm doing."

"Albert, I'm your mother," she said. "I know you better than anyone. And I know you're not thinking clearly right now. You're hurt and angry, and that's clouding your judgment. Just take a step back and think about what you're doing."

Albert rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He knew his mother was right. He wasn't thinking clearly. He was acting on emotions, and that was never a good idea.

"Okay, Mom," he said finally. "I'll bring Aurora home and sort this out calmly. I promise."

"Good, dear," his mother said. "I know you'll do the right thing. And Albert?"

"Yes?"

"I never liked Kylee," his mother said. "She was never good enough for you. I'm glad this happened, in a way. It's a wake-up call for you."

Albert's eyes widened in surprise. "You never liked Kylee? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to interfere, dear," his mother said. "But now that this has happened, I think it's time you reevaluate your relationship with Kylee. She's not the right girl for you."

Albert's mind was racing. He had never thought about his mother's feelings towards Kylee. And now that he thought about it, he realized that his mother had always been a bit distant towards Kylee.

"Mom, I'll think about it," Albert said finally. "But I need to take care of this situation first."

"Albert, promise me you'll be calm and rational," his mother said. "No drastic measures, okay?"

Albert nodded, even though his mother couldn't see him. "I promise, Mom. I'll bring Aurora home and sort this out.

Albert hung up the phone and took a deep breath. He knew his mother was right. He needed to calm down and think this through.

He walked over to the window and looked out, trying to clear his head. He thought about Kylee and their relationship. He thought about Aurora and the situation they were in.

As he stood there, he realized that he had been blind to the signs. Kylee had been distant lately, and he had brushed it off as stress. But now he saw that it was more than that. She had been planning this all along.

He felt a wave of anger wash over him, but he pushed it down. He needed to stay calm and think this through. Butr why do she do this to me? Why can't she left me know?

He turned away from the window and walked over to the door. He needed to go to Aurora and talk to her. He needed to know what was going on and why did she had agreed to this.

I have always loved her and take care of her. As Albert walked towards the door, he couldn't help but wonder why kylee bad done this to him. Why had she involved Aurora?

Albert's eyes narrowed at Aurora. "Why did you do this?" he growled. "Why did you agree to pretend to be Kylee?"

Aurora trembled, looking scared. "P-please don't hurt me," she stuttered.

Albert's face twisted in anger. "I'm not going to hurt you... yet," he said. "But you need to tell me the truth. Why did you do this?"

Aurora took a deep breath. "I-I was in a tough spot," she said. "I'm a model, just like Kylee. We're friends. But I'm not as popular as she is. And my mother... she has kidney problems. She needs surgery, but I don't have the money."

Albert's expression softened slightly. "Go on," he said.

Aurora hesitated. "Kylee offered to help me. She said she would take care of my mother's surgery if I did this for her. I didn't know what to do... I was desperate."

Albert's eyes widened in shock. "Kylee offered to help you?" he repeated. "Why would she do that?"

Aurora shrugged. "I don't know. But she said she would take care of everything if I just pretended to be her for a day. I didn't know what she had planned... I swear."

Albert's mind was racing. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Kylee had manipulated Aurora, used her desperation to get what she wanted. But something didn't add up.

"Why would Kylee do this?" Albert asked, his voice skeptical. "She's never been the type to help others without a reason."

Aurora looked down, fidgeting with her hands. "I-I don't know," she said. "Maybe she felt sorry for me."

Albert raised an eyebrow. "Kylee doesn't feel sorry for anyone," he said. "There's something more to this story. Something you're not telling me."

Aurora looked up, her eyes wide with fear. "I-I'm telling the truth," she said. "I swear."

Albert's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure if he believed her. There was something in her story that didn't quite add up. He needed to get to the bottom of this.

Albert's eyes narrowed at Aurora. "I'm going to take you home with me," he said. "Because of my reputation, we need to maintain the illusion that we're married. But let me make one thing clear: you are not my wife. You are not to act like my wife. You are simply a woman who is pretending to be my wife for the sake of appearances."

Aurora nodded, looking relieved. "I understand," she said. "Thank you for taking me in, Albert. I promise I won't cause any trouble."

Albert's eyes bore into hers. "I'm not doing this for you," he said. "I'm doing this for myself. I need to maintain a certain image, and having a wife is part of that. But don't think for a second that this means I trust you. I don't. And I'll be watching you closely."

Aurora swallowed hard, looking nervous. "I understand," she said. "I'll do whatever you say."

Albert nodded. "Good. Let's get one thing straight: we will not be sharing a bedroom. You will have your own room, and you will stay out of mine. We will not be displaying any public affection. We will not be holding hands, or kissing, or anything like that. We will be pretending to be married, but that's it."

Aurora nodded again, looking scared. "Okay," she said. "I understand."

Albert's eyes narrowed. "And don't even think about trying to take advantage of this situation," he said. "I have security cameras all over my house, and I will be watching your every move. If you try to steal from me, or sabotage me in any way, there will be consequences."

Aurora looked horrified. "I wouldn't do that," she said. "I promise."

Albert raised an eyebrow. "We'll see about that," he said. "Now let's go."

As they walked to the car, Aurora looked up at him. "What about Kylee?" she asked.

Albert's expression turned cold. "Don't worry about Kylee," he said. "I'll deal with her later. She's not your concern."

Aurora nodded, looking scared. "Okay," she said.

Albert opened the car door for her. "Get in," he said.

As they drove away, Aurora looked out the window, looking nervous. Albert couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. Was she scared of him? Or was she scared of what Kylee would do when she found out?