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?"

as I don't see you in person, I can't be reassured-not even for a second. You're the one who's going to be the

had missed him terribly. Now, with the man she had been longing for right in front of her, she

to feel his warmth, to 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

in the world couldn't compare to a simple "I missed you." Julian buried his head in the crook of

you're safe. If something had happened to you, I'd

Julian. Stop blaming yourself. Look at me-I'm fine. I'm really

is all that matters," Julian sighed. Losing Aurora had made him realize just how much more important she was to him than

up. The

and at ease

the truth-did that pirate do anything to you?" Julian had prepared himself for the worst. Even if Aurora and Justin had been intimate, he wasn't

let her go.

for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for

Aurora's dignity. But

I'm just afraid that pirate might have forced you. I checked the surveillance footage-he held

did have feelings for me, but I've already explained-he only saw me as a reminder of his

few days, Mrs. Woolf has been sleeping

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

he's a pirate, but after spending these days

can't you at least trust me?

like that in

you, because I miss you, because I can't bear to

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