Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

By the time they returned to Clothville, it was already evening. The streets were glowing with colorful lights, a festive display that hinted at the approaching New Year. The vibrant atmosphere felt romantic, like a scene from a dream.

"Julian, it's been years since I last spent New Year's with my family," Aurora said softly, leaning into Julian's embrace. Over the past few years, she had been staying in New York, far from home.

Whenever the New Year approached, she would tell her grandfather she was too busy with her studies to return. In truth, she was afraid. She feared that, without a solid foundation of her own, her return might spark conflict. Staying away was a way to avoid frightening Genevieve, who would see her presence as a threat and might go to any length to eliminate her.

For three long years abroad, Aurora had only Asher by her side. He would take her out

to feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year, even going so far as to research Clothville's holiday traditions online. They clung to each other like family, a bond forged in loneliness.

Julian's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "It's okay. From now on, I'll spend every New Year with you. Why the sad look? What's on your mind?"

"I was thinking about Ashy. Every year, he was the one who spent New Year's with me," Aurora replied with a wistful smile. "I can still remember the first time we fumbled around in the kitchen together."

Her mind traveled back to her first year in New York, the hardest year of her life. They had no money to eat out, so they stayed in their tiny rented apartment and cooked their own meals. She could still picture Asher's clumsy attempts at cooking. The food they made was far from appetizing, but they ate every last bite, laughing at their own foolishness.

Julian observed Aurora's expression and knew it wasn't love she felt for Asher, but rather a fond recollection of the kindness and warmth they had shared during difficult times. He hugged her tighter.

"Little Bunny, do you know something?" Julian said softly. "I envy Asher. He was there for you when you needed someone the most. You struggled and fought together, while I... I didn't even know where I was back then. But I'm also thankful. Thankful that you didn't love him."

understood that Asher would always hold a special spot in her life-perhaps not as a lover, but as someone even more significant than family. "Maybe it's because Ashy was too good to me," Aurora mused thoughtfully. "So good that I've always seen him as family,

no threat to their relationship, so he didn't mind her keeping Asher

beamed. "If Denis is still in Clothville, we can invite him too. And

from being alone to being surrounded by

I'll cook for everyone. I've never celebrated New Year's with so many people before. It's going to be

as long as you're happy," Julian said, holding her close. For him, as long as Aurora was by his side,

hectic once again. Piles of documents filled their desks, and the year-end tasks seemed endless. Julian had it even worse,

quiet understanding that these long

past, he wouldn't have answered this person's calls, but his anger toward them had softened over

"Hello?"

home for New Year's? It's

different. He had already discussed it with Aurora, and they had agreed to have dinner with the Alvarez family before heading

Julian replied without

end of the line, Joaquin was stunned. He had never expected such an easy yes.

hurt this old man deeply in the past, so much so that a simple agreement

anymore. Just make sure you come

"I wasn't even complaining. Why hang up so fast?" he muttered

patient. All because of Aurora. She made him want to give her a happy, complete family. And in doing so, he had started to care about his own family again. After all, Joaquin was still his

small smile tugged at his lips.