Gone was his usual dominance, Julian had suddenly become tender, which Aurora found a bit unfamiliar. The weight that had been pressing down on her was gone as Julian gently said, “I’ll go get something for you.” Left alone in the room, Aurora hurried into the bathroom. As she looked in the mirror, she saw her cheeks flushed, her eyes brimming with emotions. She touched her cheek with the back of her hand. It was burning hot!
She thought of Julian in the sunlight, his gentle gaze fixed on her. She had never seen such a tender look on his face before, as if one more glance would melt her. Still immersed in the memory, Aurora looked at herself in the mirror, her fingers touching her slightly swollen red lips, seemingly still bearing the gentleness of his kiss.
Her mind was filled with Julian’s movements and expressions just moments ago. Realizing this, she quickly shook her head. She muttered to herself, “Aurora, you’re crazy!” She hurriedly turned on the tap and splashed her face with two handfuls of cold water to cool her cheeks. When she looked up again, her skin appeared soft and dewy in the mirror. She suddenly realized that she had been wearing makeup last night, but now her skin was completely clean.
She touched her cheek and found no trace of foundation, and there was only one possible explanation for that. Last night, he helped her take off her makeup. Her skin felt not the slightest discomfort. She couldn’t believe he had been so attentive, and the thought of him gently wiping her face made her cheeks uncontrollably flush again.
Julian knocked on the bathroom door. “Here, this is for you.” She opened the door to find not only a fresh change of clothes but also underwear and sanitary pads on top. The house hadn’t been prepared. He had just gone out to buy these for her, mindful of her period. For a moment, Aurora felt a warmth in her heart.
“T-Thank you,” she said as she took the items, noticing the blood-stained pants he had not changed before going out. Standing against the light, he smiled and said, “You don’t have to, Little Bunny.”
Seeing his genuinely smiling face, Aurora felt her heartbeat quicken, and she quickly closed the door, leaning against it while clutching the clothes. Her heart was thumping wildly. To her surprise, a small gesture of his set her heart fluttering. After freshening up, she changed into the white dress Julian had chosen for her.
She stepped out of the door, and Julian saw her with her long hair over her shoulders, devoid of the harsh makeup, resembling the naive girl from three years ago. But Julian knew things couldn’t go back. Those missed three years weren’t something he could mend in a moment. Her eyes revealed everything.
“Are you hungry? Breakfast is ready. You can go down and eat,” said Julian, freshly washed, reaching out his hand to her. He had intentionally picked a white dress, hoping to help her gradually forget the past three years of sorrow and return to being the princess she once was.
She met his tender gaze, and her fingers slightly moved, but ultimately, she did not place her hand in his. She left indifferently, and Julian watched her retreating figure. He awkwardly withdrew his hand, not angry, realizing they still needed more time. The breakfast laid out on the table was mostly light, completely different from what she had when she visited before, a clear indication that Julian had specially ordered it, considering she had drunk alcohol last night, and these light meals were all stomach-friendly.
Aurora feigned ignorance, nibbling delicately at the bread, while Julian silently noted her favorite dishes. When she was nearly done eating, he handed her a folder.
“What is this?” Aurora hadn’t forgotten the disturbing files in the last envelope she received.
“Just take a look,” Julian chuckled, not offering an answer directly.
Opening the folder, Aurora found it filled with detailed profiles of executives, much more thorough than what Asher had given her before.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“Have you not been busy setting up your new company lately? You’ve met with a few people, but mere meetings won’t suffice if you want to establish a firm foothold here.”
Julian elegantly sipped his orange juice, and Aurora sensed there was more to his words. “And these profiles are?”
“I’ve already spoken to these individuals. Once your new company starts, you can collaborate with them anytime. You won’t need to visit each one. Just invite them for a meal. Of course, if you wish, I can also arrange it for you.”
Aurora set down the folder. “Why are you so generous? What’s the catch?”
Julian met her scrutinizing gaze, one honed by years in business, instinctively geared towards negotiation.
“What do you think I want?” he asked with a slight smile.
A chill ran through Aurora. “After all the help you’ve offered, what do you want? I’ll give it to you.”
She certainly knew what he wanted was her, though she didn’t voice this thought.
Was he now using this favor as leverage?
Any affection she had felt for him that morning vanished.
Seeing her eyes grow colder, Julian seemed to read her thoughts. “I want you to promise me one thing.”
“What is it?” Aurora asked, guessing at what he might say.
The smile on Julian’s lips remained. “Promise me that if I’m not around, you won’t get drunk again.”
Aurora was taken aback. This was not what she had expected him to ask.
“So, will you agree?” Julian pretended to withdraw the documents.
In a moment of urgency, Aurora pressed down on the folder, accidentally touching his hand. “I agree,” she said, her voice tense.
“Good girl,” he said, patting her head as she looked into his smiling eyes.
Was it her imagination, or had Julian changed, becoming someone she hardly recognized?
This new version of him reminded her of the boy in a white shirt many years ago.
She released his hand. “I should get back to school now.”
“Alright, I’ll take you there since it’s on my way. I’ll arrange the dinner for tonight,” Julian said gently.
He showed no intention of restraining her, which made Aurora even more puzzled. It seemed he had changed overnight.
Unbeknownst to her, after learning of her past hardships, Julian couldn’t bear to cause her even the slightest harm. Despite her many questions, Aurora suppressed them, perhaps thinking Julian was simply not himself today.
After dropping her off at school, Aurora reverted to her usual guise. Julian’s lips twitched as he saw the plain-looking Aurora.
“That’s good. It’ll keep some pests away,” he said, ruffling her hair.
Why did he always enjoy touching her head like she was some pet? Aurora pulled away from his grasp.
“Those things won’t be needed much longer,” she remarked.