The night in the mountains should have been extremely cold, but snuggled in his embrace, Aurora felt no chill at all. Her heart, which she thought had grown cold, was warming up bit by bit. “When I was a child, I heard that if you make a wish upon seeing a meteor, it will help fulfill your wish.”
“Remember to make a wish later.” Julian didn’t mock her naivety.
Aurora smiled and said, “Do you think I’m a child? How could a meteor possibly grant human wishes?”
“Just try it. You have nothing to lose anyway. You can say your wish out loud.”
“I don’t want to make a wish. It’s childish,” Aurora scoffed, while Julian chuckled, secretly hoping she would express it.
Maybe it wouldn’t be a meteor fulfilling her wish, but him? He wanted to give her everything she desired.
They chatted casually, and Julian occasionally glanced at his watch. Modern technology had advanced to precisely predict the peak and radiant point of meteor showers.
“This is the best spot to watch,” he said. “Aurora, think about what you really want now, because the meteor shower is about to start.”
At that, Aurora felt a surge of nervousness. What she truly wanted was for her mother to come back to life, for everything to return to how it used to be. But how could the dead be revived? Other than that, she only wished to avenge her mother and drive people like Genevieve out of the Montgomery family.
It seemed wrong to wish for such things. She looked at the man beside her, a new thought dawning on her.
“Aurora, close your eyes and count down from ten in your mind.” Julian’s soothing voice rang in her ears, and Aurora obediently closed her eyes.
He stood up, moving in front of her, ready to capture the impending beautiful scene.
Nine, eight… Three, two, one.
As she counted down silently, the moment she opened her eyes, the scene before her dazzled her, a sight usually confined to television or photographs.
Meteor showers, like rain, fell parallel, but from the right radiant point, the view was unlike any other.
She stood there, momentarily forgetting how to react.
“Make a wish, Aurora.” Julian’s voice brought her back to reality, also making her forget her earlier remarks about wishing being childish.
At that moment, only one thought remained.
“I hope never to meet someone who makes me cry again.” She wished inwardly.
Julian captured the scene in his camera, a woman with interlocked fingers, bathed in a faint glow, her head slightly bowed in solemnity as if making a very important wish.
This scene was perfectly captured by Julian, and even after the meteor shower had faded and darkness returned, Aurora remained captivated by what she had just witnessed.
“Lost in the moment?” Julian softly embraced her, her hair fluttering in the night breeze, carrying a pleasant fragrance.
“Yeah, it’s my first time seeing it up close. It’s really beautiful. Julian, thank you for bringing me to this wonderful place.” Aurora expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
She tiptoed and gently kissed his cheek, a gesture both sacred and tender. Julian ruffled her hair. “From now on, I’ll make sure you’re always happy.”
At that moment, her eyes were only for this man as she nodded seriously. “Okay.”
Julian gently embraced her as he continued, “Since we’re already here, why not watch the sunrise?”
“That sounds good.”
It was still early, and he had originally suggested she sleep in the car until he would wake her for the sunrise.
Perhaps it was the warmth of his embrace, but she did not want to leave. They leaned against an old tree, and she quietly nestled in his arms.
Even though they were alone in the wilderness, a situation ripe for trouble, Julian remembered his earlier promise to Aurora. He would not harbor any improper thoughts towards her at this time.
Only a few days left. All he had to do was endure a little longer.
Aurora also opened up to him, willingly starting the conversation to share her experiences in America over the years.
Every time she spoke of her struggles, it felt as if Julian’s heart was being ruthlessly cut.
Initially, he might have been jealous of Asher, who had been by Aurora’s side for years, but after hearing her stories, he was only thankful.
In such tough times, the two of them, facing similar hardships, clung tightly together, encouraging each other, and she persevered through gritted teeth.
Only then could he see such a radiant woman.
“It’s all in the past now. No one can harm you anymore.”
“I know, and I won’t let myself be hurt again. I want to make those who took from me lose everything, to let them taste what despair is,” she said fiercely.
Julian felt both heartache and pity. “They definitely won’t have good days ahead. Don’t worry.”
How could he possibly forgive those who hurt his woman? However, Aurora surely wanted to seek her own revenge, which is why he hadn’t acted.
If he wanted, neither Genevieve nor Susan would have a good outcome, but then Aurora would lose the pleasure of revenge.
As they talked, Aurora fell asleep in his arms, a testament to her utmost trust in him. It was unlikely she would have slept so soundly otherwise.
Because she felt his embrace was the warmest haven in the world, as if with him there, all the rain and snow would be shielded away.
“Aurora, sleep tight. I am here to watch over you,” Julian said softly.
It was not until a faint golden light appeared that he woke Aurora from her sleep.
“Aurora, get up. It’s time to watch the sunrise.”
Aurora was sleeping sweetly, dreaming of being back on that ship with Julian over a decade ago, where they cared about nothing, playfully causing a ruckus.
“Stop it, Prince Julian,” she muttered, her lips pouting, momentarily unaware of what was happening.
Hearing her long-missed voice, Julian wore a gentle smile, and he playfully nibbled on her ear.
“Aurora, if you don’t get up now, you’ll miss the sunrise.”
Aurora, as if waking from a dream, looked up at him, her long eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly.
With her slightly confused big eyes, her silly appearance was just like how she used to be after waking up from an afternoon nap.
Holding her bunny, barefoot, Aurora ran to his side to look at him.
Julian could no longer restrain himself, fiercely claiming her slightly parted red lips, memories and reality intertwining.
She saw the gentle gaze of the man in the golden light, as if he was about to melt her.