Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Aurora sat quietly in Nick's car. She glanced at him, wanting to say something, but lacked the courage to speak. His cold, expressionless face made her hesitate.

She thought to herself, Julian is already back. I'll explain everything to him when he returns.

Nick sat like a statue of ice, his face indifferent and silent. Aurora, feeling unwell, closed her eyes to rest. Nick couldn't help but think about Kyle Raymond-something about him seemed off. He wasn't acting like his usual self.

Today, Kyle had been unexpectedly gentle with Aurora. From her reactions, it didn't seem like he'd harmed her in any way. But then, why had he spouted those lies in front of Julian? Was he genuine, or was it all a ploy?

Instead of taking Aurora home, Nick decided to bring her temporarily to Irene's apartment. When they arrived, he noticed Aurora had already passed out. He reached out to feel her forehead-it was burning hot.

"She's still running a fever," Nick muttered. Kyle Raymond's words came back to him- Aurora had been feverish all day and hadn't recovered.

It wasn't that Nick was indifferent toward Aurora; it was simply that his heart belonged to Irene. If Irene had been the one injured and feverish, he would have noticed immediately. It was the same with Julian-he was cold to all women except the one he loved.

Aurora was rushed to the hospital. This time, she didn't wake up. Her fever was mild but persistent. For the first time in his life, Nick found himself caring for a woman other than Irene. He stayed by her side all night, sitting on the couch, but his thoughts were elsewhere-back in Irene's apartment.

Is she awake yet?

By dawn, Aurora's fever had subsided, though she still hadn't regained consciousness. Julian's plane had just landed. The very moment he turned his phone back on, he called Nick.

The flight had been torturous for Julian. He'd spent the entire journey worrying about Aurora, plagued by thoughts of what might have happened to her.

"How is she?" Julian demanded the second Nick answered.

Don't worry. I'm at the hospital. Come

brief, knowing Julian's anxiety wouldn't

saw Aurora lying on the bed, he

her. She's just sick with a fever. He took her back to his villa for treatment. I had the doctor examine her-there

steady but firm. "I wanted to be sure he hadn't done something despicable

voice was still tense. "Why did she leave with Kyle

up. She's still not awake. I suggest you wait here. I stayed

his coat

thank you for helping this time. Really," Julian said, his voice sincere. He knew that without Nick-someone equally formidable-Kyle Raymond wouldn't

us. Take good care of her." With that,

attention back to the bed. Aurora, still asleep, stirred slightly. Perhaps it was

a weak, dazed expression. The first thing she saw was Julian's disheveled figure, his face etched with

back?" she croaked, her voice hoarse and rough like a

didn't take good care of you," Julian said, pulling her into his arms. He buried his face in her

this man ever

you where I was going and made

get involved with someone like Kyle Raymond? Why get in his car? Don't you know how

into the European market. We were meeting to discuss a collaboration. He didn't do anything to me. We talked about a preliminary plan, and he was going to take me home. I passed out in

don't care what he did or didn't do. From now on, you're not allowed to deal with him. Do you know how worried I was?" Julian's

This won't happen again. I didn't

better care of you. From now on, I'm not going anywhere.