"This situation is!" He stands, matching my energy. "Whether you like it or not, being here makes you a target. My enemies will see you as leverage."
"Then maybe I shouldn't be here at all."
The words hang between us, sharp and cutting.
His jaw clenches. "Is that what you want, Aurora? You want to leave?"
"I want to make my own choices for once in my life!" I bite my lips to stop from crying. I hoped leaving my father and going with Axel would mean something… different.
It doesn’t, and I’m going to be damned if I let anyone treat me like a fucking bird ever again.
"You made a choice. You chose to come with me."
"Because staying with my father wasn't an option! That doesn't mean I want to trade one cage for another!"
We glare at each other across the desk, both breathing hard.
"I'm fucking trying to protect you," he says finally, his voice lower.
"I don't need protection. I need freedom."
"You're carrying my child. My protection is not up for debate."
And there it is. The real issue underneath all our arguments. The baby. The reason we're stuck together in this impossible situation.
"This conversation is over," I gale a deep breath and turn toward the door.
"We're not done talking about this."
"Yes, we are. I'm done fighting with you for today."
I storm out before he can respond.
The next morning, it starts again.
Axel brings in a woman during breakfast. She is perfectly styled, wearing designer clothes that someone in her profession should not be wearing.
"Aurora, this is Natasha," Axel says. "She'll be helping you with anything you need. Shopping, appointments, whatever you require."
I set down my coffee cup and hope I sound as infuriatingly calm as he does. "I don't need a babysitter."
"She's not a babysitter. She's an assistant."
"I don't need an assistant either." I smile.
Natasha looks uncomfortable, glancing between us.
"Natasha, could you give us a moment?" Axel says.
She nods and leaves the room, and I allow myself to lose my shit.
"What the hell was that?" I demand. "You can't just assign people to me without asking."
"I'm trying to make your life easier."
"By treating me like I'm incapable of handling my own affairs?"
"That's not what I'm doing."