Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Julian returned to the villa once again. Once, this place was his warmest refuge, but now, even before stepping inside, it felt as though his heart had been pierced by a sword, bleeding profusely.

To reassure Irene and Nick, Julian feigned calmness as he saw them off. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," he said.

"The salvage team is still working. No news is the best news. Little Bunny has survived so many storms before," Nick said, trying to comfort him.

Julian nodded. "I'll go home and get some rest. If anything comes up, I'll contact you." "Alright. We'll leave now," Irene replied, her exhaustion evident.

In truth, none of them were in good shape. Over the past few days, no one had slept properly. Everyone was drained. Irene, in particular, could only think about her bed at home. They hadn't found Aurora yet, but they were already on the verge of collapse. Julian calmly bid them farewell. Mrs. Hill's red-rimmed eyes betrayed her emotions as she stood nearby, unsure of how to console him.

"Mr. Barnet, she will be alright. You must be hungry. Let me prepare some food for you," she said, covering her face as she retreated to the kitchen. She feared saying anything that might remind Julian of Aurora.

Even though the villa's heating was on, Julian felt a coldness seep through his entire body. Normally, he would ascend the stairs in just a few seconds, but now every step felt like a monumental effort.

In the room, filled with memories of Aurora, everything reminded him of her. It took all his strength to walk inside. The room was exactly as she had left it-wrinkled bedsheets, scattered papers on the desk.

Julian approached the desk and picked up a piece of paper. The moment his eyes landed on its contents, the pain and sorrow he had suppressed for days surged forth. There was no one else here. No one to see his tears. He didn't need to hide his emotions anymore.

The paper he held was one of Aurora's design drafts. The colorful sketches of jewelry included over ten variations of wedding ring designs.

He remembered her words from their last phone call: "Julian, I have a surprise for you when you return."

"What surprise?"

be one. If I tell you now, it won't be fun." "Alright, alright. I'll come back

I'll meet you at the

mind. The surprise she mentioned must have been these

abstract engraving of the initials

the design draft. He imagined how, during the nights he

leave me..." Julian pressed the draft against his chest, as if doing so could bring him

opened their voice messages. Aurora's familiar

time. Don't overwork yourself or rush deadlines. I'm waiting for you

is warming up. It's not cold anymore. So, can I wear dresses now? Don't worry, it's really not

big project. Looks like I'm one

I've been taking my medicine and eating properly. When you come back, I promise I'll have gained three

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last exchange had ended with the words "so boring," yet now those mundane moments were what he

blamed himself. If only he hadn't been so busy, if

interrupted his

made you a bowl of noodles. Eat something before you get

stoic man in such a vulnerable state would have been heartbreaking to anyone. Hearing the hoarseness in his voice, Mrs. Hill's eyes filled with

Julian clenched his fist.

it in," he said, forcing himself to stay strong. He

chin, with its rough stubble, caught his attention.

nestle in his arms, her small

razor, he carefully shaved, washed his face, and tidied himself up. He needed to be in his best state to welcome her back.

with Aurora's voice messages playing, Julian struggled to fall asleep. At most, he could sleep for