Aurora thought back on the tender, loving man that was her husband. Was that all really just for her, or was it all just for show? Or was it real?

She felt so… numb. He just screamed at her in anger, commanding her never to leave him. Was this her reality now? Was she being trapped in this relationship?

It didn't even register when Dimitri had come closer, she just felt his thumb caressing her cheek, "Sweetheart, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scream at you. It's just that you mean so much to me and I can't bear you leaving me. Tell me…," he pleaded, "Please tell me you'll never leave me."

He was kissing her cheek, trailing down her neck, "Tell me.. Please sweetheart… tell me… you'll stay," he said after each kiss. He was overcome with so much desire that he just kept on trying to cover her in kisses.

Aurora sat there as he undressed her, afraid to make a move and get him angry. What is happening now? Should she just lie here and let him have his way with her? Will he force her to do what he wanted? This was not the life she imagined she would be living when she agreed to be his wife. She felt pity for herself, so this is what it has amounted to. Their relationship was reduced to carnal desire.

Dimitri was getting ferocious with his kisses and caresses, if she did not understand what he was saying then he was going to make her feel it, maybe then she would understand. He had his hands in her hair and was kissing her cheeks again when he tasted her salty tears.

"No, no, no… Shhhh… Sweetheart, don't cry," he said while he wiped her tears.

"You're… you're hurting me..," she stammered. He sighed, he knew he was being rough with her. Because when it came to Aurora, he could never control himself.

"I just...I wanted to make you feel how much I love you. I know there is no…," he trailed off. Turning away from her and laid on his back. Sorry for what he did, it was a cruel joke that god gave him such a pure soul when he's been tainted all his life.

A pained expression was etched on his face as he thought about everything he had done. He learned how to defend himself at a young age, when the children were still playing about, he was learning how to evade bad guys and how to fire a gun. How would she react when she learns what he went through, what their son might go through.

Aurora still loved Dimitri despite all the things that had transpired between them. His conflicted and troubled expression bothered her more than she would admit, and as her heart softened, she reached out for him.

She touched his face, wondering what was going through his mind, "Dimitri, do you really love me?" she asked.

"Yes, I do. I love you very much," he immediately answered, looking deep into her eyes. Aurora was talking to him, and he would not waste this opportunity to set everything right.

The sincerity in his eyes wormed its way through her heart, "Should I get scared that... You might hurt me?"

"No, that would never happen. I will never hurt you on purpose," he answered. "But this I want you to know, you can ask me anything, but I cannot let you go," he added. She nodded.

She settled into the pillows with a less pained and troubled expression, which gave him hope. She was finally coming around, but he knew she needed time.

"Will you tell me what you really do?" she asked as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Yes, yes… of course, I will," he said excitedly, "Oh sweetheart," he said as he gathered her in his arms and hugged her.

"Dimitri… I think we should get dressed if we're having this conversation," she said self-consciously.

"I don't care," he said as he hugged her closer, "I will tell you everything," and he did. Of course, he omitted all the bloody and gory details since she was not ready to hear about it. Unlike Daisy, his mother, Aurora was not from a mafia family, so he had to break down his explanations in simpler terms.

Aurora learned that there was a natural order for the families, and there was a purpose to everything Dimitri does, it was never out of spite or malice. True, it was for the good of his family, but he never leaves the other party high and dry when he makes his business deals.

When he finished telling her all about him and his family, they laid naked in each other's arms and cuddled, feeling more closer than before. Dimitri bared his heart and soul to her, their skin touching each other, bare as the day they were born. And without any sexual interference, it just felt like their souls connected on a much deeper level.

Aurora lifted her hand and touched his cheek, "Thank you for telling me all that. I hope you won't hide anything from me in the future," she placed her trust completely in him this time, and wished upon the stars that this was the last they would fight about this.

After he unloaded all his secrets, Dimitri felt better, it was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. This was the connection Dimitri had been looking for all his life, and as he looked at his wife sleeping peacefully, he wished upon the stars that nothing would take her away from him.

He will make sure that nothing can take her away from him. And that meant that he had to take care of that one thing that almost broke them apart today, Nicholas. He would never get another chance to drive a wedge between him and Aurora.

Dimitri had to get rid of Nicholas, and he had to do it as soon as possible before he did more damage.