Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Vortex appeared later, so it was normal that Aurora didn't recognize him. She hadn't had the chance to ask before, but when Vortex spoke, she used the opportunity to inquire.

"Oh, I haven't introduced him yet. His codename is Vortex. He's a good friend of Nick, and he's helped a lot in finding you this time," Julian explained simply.

Vortex's identity was unique-so unique, in fact, that even he didn't know much about himself. From this operation alone, Julian had realized just how astonishingly powerful Vortex was. Nick hadn't provided much detail about him either, which only solidified Julian's belief that Vortex had significant backing. Some things, Julian thought, were better left unknown.

"Thank you for your help these past few days," Aurora said with a polite smile. "If you ever need anything in the future, don't hesitate to ask."

Aurora was sharp. Hearing the word "codename" and seeing Vortex wearing a half-face mask, she quickly connected the dots. She recalled the military helicopter and the soldiers from earlier, which gave her a faint idea about Vortex's real identity.

"I've been friends with Nick for many years. Helping with this was my duty," Vortex replied calmly.

Julian, who hadn't seen Aurora in so long, had countless things he wanted to say to her. But it was getting late, so everyone settled into Justin's stilt house for the night. Luckily, the house was spacious enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. Julian followed Aurora to the room she had been staying in.

"This is where you've been staying?" he asked, giving the room a quick glance. Though it wasn't as luxurious as their villa, it was clean and elegant.

Aurora pulled him to sit on the edge of the bed. "Yes, Julian. You have no idea-at night, you can hear the sounds of insects and frogs. I've been sleeping so well here."

Julian lightly tapped her nose. "And do you know how badly I've been sleeping every night? I've been worried sick about you."

"I'm sorry, Julian. Didn't I call to reassure you?"

see you in person, I can't be reassured-not even for a second. You're the one who's going to be the death of me." Julian suddenly pushed her down onto the bed and

wrapped her arms around his waist. She had waited so long for this moment. During the month she had been gone, she had missed him terribly. Now, with the man she had been

prove this was real-that he was truly here with her. After a long, heated kiss, Julian finally released her. Aurora's eyes shimmered with tenderness as she whispered, "Julian, I missed you. I missed you so much. Every single day, I

too." Sometimes, all the words in the world couldn't compare to a simple "I missed you." Julian buried his head in the crook of her neck. He didn't need to do anything else-just holding her

had happened to

in the past now, Julian. Stop blaming yourself. Look at me-I'm fine. I'm really

alive is all that matters," Julian sighed. Losing Aurora had made him realize

freshen up. The bathroom

was another man's house, yet Aurora felt so comfortable and at ease here. Julian

me the truth-did that pirate do anything to you?" Julian had prepared himself for the worst. Even if Aurora and

let her go.

us for the

too sensitive, and it concerned Aurora's dignity. But he had kept it bottled up inside, unable to let it

just afraid that pirate might have forced you. I checked

only saw me as a reminder of his sister. His guilt toward his sister was

never got close to me, let alone crossed any boundaries. These past few days, Mrs. Woolf has been sleeping in the same room as

had any close physical contact with him was when I hugged him. And that was because he told me he would

he's a pirate, but after spending these days with him, I

you at least trust me? He's genuinely a good and kind-hearted

Bunny, if you praise another man like that in front of me, what do

you, because I can't bear to