Page 13 of Code of Heart

After Selene left, lunch was delivered, and Aurelia and Charles spent hours reviewing documents. Even with her love of reading, the fine print escalated her headache into a migraine that only a nap could cure.

Selene had also sent over the staff schedules, allowing her to shift her attention to coordinating meetings for a little while. It was a much-needed respite that brought a sense of normalcy. Then Charles dropped another bomb, shattering that illusion.

“Eleanor paid for the full-service fee in advance and shared her perspective on your personality with the matchmaker. Her name is Estrella Vale, and she is eager to meet you whenever you are ready.”

Shoulders slumping, Aurelia internally groaned.

“She’s also aware of Eleanor’s confidentiality requirements,” Charles added. “If you have a match that leads to marriage, I’ve drafted an ironclad prenuptial agreement to protect you. It’ll be at your discretion down the line when to tell your spouse about everything.”

Spouse.She bit the inside of her cheek, the word foreign on her tongue.

She wasn’t thrilled to learn that Charles had been working with the matchmaking service for the last couple of months. He insisted on calling them together to discuss next steps becausehe felt she was a “flight risk.” She was outraged at how accurate his assessment was.

Once her appointment was booked, he handed her a beautifully wrapped box. Inside was a turquoise designer tote—Eleanor’s final secret gift, meant to help Aurelia carry these documents discreetly and in style.

As she walked to her car, the envious glances the bag received had her grinning from ear to ear. While starting her car, she burst into a brief fit of laughter over everything that happened in her meeting.

Charles’s reference to herfuture spouse, someone she hadn’t even met yet, was absurd, but the thick folder of “homework” in her new bag wasn’t funny at all. Her first appointment withPerfectly Paired Matchmakingwas officially scheduled for Thursday.

Thankfully, she still had her self-defense class that night. After her situation with Kyle, she joined almost a year ago. It was a lifeline, something to take back control, to release the fear that still clung to her. It also brought her one step closer to regaining her sense of self.

Will I ever stop looking over my shoulder?

Maybe not. But she could stop giving him space in her mind. Keeping busy helped. After Eleanor’s diagnosis, she had stepped back from most activities, except this one.

Until recently, she had been volunteering with the Joia City School District, helping foster kids improve academically. Though not a court advocate, she mentored at-risk teens weekly.

As she merged onto the main road, Aurelia made a mental note to reconnect with them before the fall. She had never forgotten what it was like moving from home to home without help. Reading became her escape, her way of learning beyond the classroom.

When graduation came, she, like many foster youths, had no money for college. So, she lived in her car and worked every job she could: overnight caregiving, temporary jobs, waitressing…all while saving for a home of her own.

She did that for nearly a decade.

Then Eleanor hired her as a personal assistant and changed everything. Aurelia wished more kids could be given the same chance.

That was when the idea hit her:I’ll use the inheritance to create a program for kids aging out of foster care for shelter, support, and other opportunities.

Suddenly, marrying a stranger didn’t feel so terrible. It wasn’t solely for her benefit; it could be the foundation for something bigger.

Her mood shifted into something bright and breezy. She turned up the radio and sang loudly and terribly along with the dance music, her hands tapping to the beat against her steering wheel.

When was the last time she truly let go?

Aurelia couldn’t remember when she last allowed herself the freedom to do so. Perhaps it was time to start prioritizing herself more often.

Once class was over, she had to review the paperwork. And tomorrow? A salon trip. Maybe some shopping.

After all, she had a husband to impress.

CLASS CANCELLED - FAMILY EMERGENCY - SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!

Aurelia joined the crowd of classmates that gathered outside ofFrancisco’s Martial Artsand read the sign on the door. She had been looking forward to her class tonight, but it must have been a serious emergency for the instructor to cancel class on such short notice. Normally, they would get an email and text message letting them know the class was cancelled.

Now she found herself in the heart of the bustling city, dressed for a workout in plain black athletic leggings and a sports bra with a hot pink long tank layered over it, and with no plans for the evening.

The thought of going home so early wasn’t as appealing as it should’ve been. Kyle had never liked it when she became too friendly with others.Lord, she was tired of thinking about him and being alone.

She could be bold and muster up the courage to ask one of them to go grab dinner or do something else…to put herself out there and try to make a friend. Dig deep to find that fierce woman inside her that Eleanor claimed existed, and take a step towards rediscovering herself.