The Top Socialite

As the most talked-about socialite in Beverly Hills, on the eve of my wedding, I announced its cancellation, switched off my phone, and vanished into the Los Angeles night.

Back in Los Angeles, I was pinned against a hotel door, kissed until I couldn't breathe.

Alex Holt's eyes were bloodshot, a vein throbbing in his temple: "Aurora West, who gave you the guts?!"

Jackson Mercer, his arm around my waist, chuckled softly, "I did. What about it?"

The club's private room buzzed with noise.

The grating music, acrid cigarette smoke mingled with strong perfume, made me feel completely out of place, like a fish out of water.

I excused myself to the restroom. When I returned, I heard a man's voice, laced with amusement, say, "Emily's figure is absolutely divine."

Alex was on the dance floor, his arm wrapped around Emily Carter's slender waist, their bodies entwined, inseparable as they moved to the beat.

Someone nearby chimed in, "Any woman by Holt's side is a goddess, aren't they?"

As the dance ended, Alex pulled Emily down beside him, a defiant smirk playing on his lips.

"Tsk, I'm saying goodbye to bachelorhood tomorrow. No more days of wild freedom after this, huh?"

Someone lit a cigarette for Alex. "What's there to worry about, Holt? A good girl like Aurora will do whatever you say, won't she?"

Alex took a deep drag, nodding indifferently. "True."

"But Aurora, that woman, she's utterly boring, like a cold stone. Always so prim and proper."

Someone joked, "How boring? Holt, spill the details?"

Alex lifted his chin slightly, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Want to know? Why don't you try it yourself?"

The moment I pushed open the door, the chatter in the room ceased abruptly.

The person who had been speaking tried to backtrack, "Mrs. Holt, that was just a joke"

I stood rooted to the spot, my gaze fixed on Alex.

Alex casually flicked his cigarette ash, his eyes calmly meeting mine. "Heard it all?"

My hand, gripping the doorknob, tightened then loosened, over and over.

It wasn't until the manicure Id gotten for the wedding bit into the skin of my palm, sending a sharp pang of pain deep into my brain, that I spoke softly, "Alex, if you don't want to get married you could just say so."

Our engagement had been arranged by our families long ago. Since childhood, people had whispered in my ear, "Aurora, wouldn't you like to marry Alex when you grow up?"

Back then, I would shyly lower my head.

Later, it felt natural to fall in love with Alex; Id liked him for many years.

Little Alex used to be kind to me, but I don't know when it started, his aversion to me became blatant, written all over his face.

Alex scoffed, "Just say so?"

"Then I'm telling you now, I don't want to marry you. You go tell our families to cancel the wedding."

When he uttered those words without hesitation, an unprecedented weariness washed over me.

A wave of sorrow surged within me, leaving me speechless

After a long silence.

I slowly released the doorknob, nodding gently, refraining from an argument. "I understand."

I picked up my coat and bag, turning to leave.

At the doorway of the private room, I paused, slightly turning to glance at Alex and Emily Carter in his arms. "Then as you wish. I'll explain everything to our families."

"You two are a perfect match. I wish you both happiness."

Someone reached out to stop me, "Mrs. Holt, please calm down. Holt was just kidding with us"

"Yes, Mrs. Holt, tomorrow is your and Holt's big day, don't get upset."

Alexs face darkened, he extinguished his cigarette, his jaw tight. "Let her go! I'd like to see how long she can keep up this attitude!"

The person trying to stop me glanced at Alex's face and reluctantly withdrew their hand.

I curved my lips slightly, a bitter smile, and strode out.

He spoke that way because it wasn't the first time.

But every previous time, within a few days, I would swallow my pride, buying Alex a gift.

He wouldnt be too outrageous, accepting the gift and letting the matter drop. As for our parents, they never bothered with our minor spats, as long as appearances were maintained.

Perhaps everyone who knew us thought Aurora West would never truly give up on Alex Holt.

After leaving the club, one of my close friends called, "Aurora, come back quickly, Alex took Emily to a hotel"

I sat in the car, watching the city lights stream past, and softly said, "Let him be."

With that, I hung up.

For over twenty years, I had always been Aurora West, the proud eldest daughter of the West family, a renowned socialite in Los Angeles, never doing anything out of line.

Alex had his fair share of scandals, and I always handled them with grace and discretion.

Everyone said, Aurora West was not simple.

But now, I suddenly wanted to let loose, just this once.

At this moment, I just wanted to be myself, without a care in the world.

After sending messages to both families, I posted an update on social mediaWedding cancelled tomorrow, my apologiesthen switched off my phone.

Returning to the home Alex and I were to share, I only took my identification and a change of clothes before leaving.

At midnight, an hour after canceling the wedding, I sat in the airport waiting lounge.

My childhood friend, Lily Mitchell, had settled in San Diego after getting married, and we hadn't seen each other in ages.

Plus, San Diego's coastal scenery was nationally famous, and I had long wanted to visit.

This time, I wanted to try and break free.

The next morning, Lily drove me straight to her private ski resort. "Aurora, didn't you always want to learn to ski? The slopes are huge here, you can really enjoy yourself!"

"I'm telling you, skiing is truly exhilarating!"

We geared up and walked out of the lounge, spotting two people approaching.

Lily winked at me playfully, "Aurora, Alex, that playboy, hes not good enough for you in any way. Ive got a prime catch to recommend."

Jackson Mercer walked alongside Lily's husband, his gaze falling on my face.

Even from a distance, I felt the intensity of his stare.

Lily whispered in my ear, "Jackson is really great, hundreds of times better than Alex. You've got to seize the opportunity!"

In the short moment I was distracted, Jackson was already standing before me.

Lily's husband pulled her into his arms, "Wearing so little again? Didn't you learn your lesson last time, huh?"

Lily stuck out her tongue, then nudged me towards Jackson. "Jackson, Aurora hasn't learned to ski yet, would you teach her?"

Jackson's eyes remained fixed on my face, his undisguised gaze making my cheeks flush.

Then, I heard his voice, deep as a cello, "Mm, alright."

Even if I was slow to catch on, I understood their intention.

I looked up and smiled politely at Jackson.

Before Lily turned to leave, she hooked her arm through mine and whispered, "Aurora, I'm serious, I always thought it would be a shame if you married Alex."

"I fully support you running away from the wedding this time!"

"Honey, trust my judgment! Let that scumbag Alex regret it."

The ski resort was high altitude, the temperature very low, but my face remained flushed.

Jacksons features were exquisitely carved, profound yet not harsh.

Even dressed in a simple black ski suit, he exuded an extraordinary air.

Lily, once pulled away by her husband, didn't reappear.

For the entire day, it was just Jackson and I on the private slopes.

He stood behind me, our bodies pressed close. "Bend your knees, a little lower, maintain maximum stability."

"Look up, eyes straight ahead"

"Hands open, hold gently, loosen your grip, don't hold too tight."

Jackson's warm breath feathered my ear. "Open your legs a bit wider"

Even though Jackson was diligently teaching me to ski, a strangely romantic thought suddenly bloomed in my mind.

Aurora West, what are you thinking?!

I silently scolded myself, but lost my balance for a moment, and tumbled abruptly towards the ground.

Jackson caught me swiftly, pulling me into his embrace. "Are you alright?"

Meeting his anxious gaze, my heart suddenly skipped a beat

Jackson was truly handsome, with deep-set eyes.

Perhaps the atmosphere was too intimate, or I was simply swept away.

Or perhaps, I genuinely wanted to follow my heart, just this once.

I lifted my head, clutching Jackson's collar, and leaned in

It was meant to be a fleeting kiss, but Jacksons eyes suddenly darkened.

Before I could react, I was scooped up into his arms

Inside the suite.

Jackson pressed me against the door, one hand cradling my head, the other around my waist, deepening the kiss

His breath was hot, powerful, making my heart tremble.

I felt unsteady, my hands instinctively gripping his shoulders for support.

This movement only fueled Jackson further; he lifted me straight into his arms

At the peak of our passion, Jackson suddenly pulled back.

I could feel his heavy breathing, but he was restraining himself, looking down at me intently. "Aurora West, have you thought this through?"

"You must have heard about our Mercer family rules."

The Mercer family in San Diego, a top-tier dynasty.

No breakups, no divorces. Once you commit, its for life.

As if it were an unconscious illusion, deep, tender affection flickered in Jackson's eyes, like a burning flame.

"Jackson"

I gripped his shirt tightly, calling his name.

Jackson gazed at me blankly for a long moment, then a faint smile spread across his lips.

I stared at his smile, utterly lost in it.

The next moment, the hem of my clothes was lifted, and Jackson lowered his head to kiss me again.

His fingertips were cool, making my heart flutter with an exquisite ache

I was dizzy from his kisses, my mind hazy. I didn't know when the snow started falling outside the window, as Jackson firmly intertwined our fingers.

Our heartbeats were like notes, falling and rising in unison.

In the end, I didn't even know when I drifted off to sleep.

And so, I missed Jackson's whispered words, "I've waited all these years, and finally, my wish has come true. It wasn't in vain."

The snow in San Diego fell for an entire half-month.

The West family had already rushed to San Diego, determined to drag me back for the wedding.

But I was living in Jackson's mountain estate, and no one could find me.

The people from Los Angeles called me countless times, but I had blocked all their numbers.

At three in the morning, a text message popped up on my phone: "Mrs. Holt, where are you in San Diego? Mr. Holt has been looking for you this whole time."

Jackson glanced at me, sleeping soundly, and without hesitation, deleted the message, then pulled me closer.

At the Holt family estate in Los Angeles.

Alex Holt sat on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the phone on the coffee table.

Again and again, my calls never went through.

No matter whose phone he used, the only thing that came through was a mechanical voice, "The number you have dialed is currently busy"

After a long while, Alex suddenly looked up, grabbed the phone, and hurled it away.

The phone struck the television, shattering the screen, and the phone itself broke into several pieces.

Michael and Tom, standing nearby, exchanged glances, then carefully spoke, "Holt, Mrs. Holt is just throwing a tantrum."

"She'll get over it. Don't all women have their little moods?"

Tom nodded in agreement, "That's right, Holt. Women are like that, just need a little coaxing."

Alex, however, sneered, "Coax her? What is Aurora West, that I should have to coax her?"

"If she wants to come back, fine. If not, she can die out there." With that, Alex turned and stormed upstairs.

Back in his bedroom, looking at the things he had acquired for Aurora, his anger intensified.

Alex smashed everything in the room.

Looking at the utter chaos, Alex still felt a knot of anger in his chest

That woman, Aurora, wouldn't take the easy way out. She shouldnt blame him for making things impossible.

He'd wait for her to come back and beg him!