" I would die if you leave, " I cried as I begged him to stay
" Then die."
With that, he turned away, leaving me there as I sat at the edge of the rooftop.
He had given up on everything, on me.
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All Aurora wanted was to be loved - his love. Growing up, love and care had been a foreign word to her, where emotions are suppressed in her household as sadness is deemed to be a sign of weakness. She yearned to be understood, to be wanted in this world. With the mask she had forged for herself since young, she was surrounded by friends, mostly boys even. However, a demon was slowly growing inside her - depression. A dark secret, so dark that it killed her. It controlled her, her life and especially her emotions. Not knowing how being cared for feels like, sympathy and obligation were the only reasons that explained the actions of others. The demon ruined everything, the only thing she ever wanted - to be with Mason.
Mason was a reserved boy, hardly socialising if there was not a need to. He too was lonely and lost, getting sucked into the reality of expectations and self worth. Love to him? That seemed to only be a mythical creature that was rumoured to exist. Not knowing what is love, how could he ever care for and love someone?
Love to others may seem like just a game, one that doesn't have a great impact on their lives. Ludus to Aurora, was however a life and death game. Would Aurora be able to stay alive till the very end? Or would her mental illness overtake her amongst the fact that Mason would never like her?
A trip to Fiji with her dismissive boyfriend and his alluring mother lands Valentina into the most unexpected romance of her lifetime.
*****
College student Valentina has been at a standstill in her relationship for three years, so when her boyfriend invites her on vacation to Fiji with his estranged fashion designer mother, Val can't think of anything worse. Mothers-in-law are notoriously one of the most dreadful aspects of a committed relationship, right? But nobody prepared Val for the aloof, refined Diana, who at first seems to absolutely detest her but soon warms under the tropical sun. As a unique and steamy connection sizzles and the two begin sneaking around, Val wonders if she's finally found the love she's been looking for in the most unexpected of places. But can their spark last, and is it worth what it will cost them?
WARNING: This story contains mature themes such as depictions of domestic abuse and coercion that may be upsetting to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.