Perhaps worried about the injuries Julian had sustained, Aurora had a restless night. She fretted over accidentally touching his wounds, while Julian could only sleep on his side, fearing that lying flat might cause his injuries to bleed. Neither slept well. Aurora woke up early, and Julian, having been in pain all night, only fell asleep at dawn. It was rare for her to wake before him; usually, when she opened her eyes, he was already watching her.
Aurora gazed at the man sleeping beside her, his arm instinctively around her waist. His face was unusually pale from the blood loss the night before, making him look like a handsome prince in his slumber. His high nose, elegant thin lips, and distinct cheekbones reminded her of how he had shielded her with his body the previous night.
She had been unharmed, while he was covered in blood. She finally understood why so many women in ancient times fell in love with their heroes after being rescued.
At that moment, Julian looked more handsome than ever, his actions proving her significant place in his heart. What more could she ask for in life than to have met a man like him?
Aurora smiled faintly, carefully removing his hand from her waist to avoid waking him. Normally, Julian would have already been awake by now, but his fatigue and injuries from the day had kept him asleep. Today, the Montgomery Group had a recruitment event, and as the HR manager, she had several rounds of interviews to conduct.
Aurora quietly went about her morning routine, changing into a suit and applying light makeup before preparing to leave. She checked her watch before heading out-she was up half an hour earlier than usual and turned back.
“Miss, let me make you something to eat,” Mrs. Hill said as she followed Aurora into the kitchen.
“Mrs. Hill, you go rest. I’ll make some breakfast for Julian, and you can warm it up when he wakes,” Aurora replied.
“How sweet,” Mrs. Hill said, chuckling with a broom in hand. “Your husband is lucky to have such a wife.”
Aurora didn’t correct her this time. “Knowing him is my fortune. Now, go on with your tasks, I’ll manage here.”
Mrs. Hill went upstairs to clean, and Aurora busied herself in the kitchen. Once the vegetable porridge was ready, she also made a couple of sandwiches. Realizing it was time to leave, she packed one sandwich and hurried out.
Usually, Julian drove her to work. Today, she had forgotten to arrange for Cameron to pick her up. She hesitated to fetch Julian’s keys, not wanting to wake him so soon after he had fallen asleep. Reluctantly, she walked to the door, considering whether she could hail a taxi.
A car stopped beside her, and Hayden’s face appeared. “Need a lift?”
She had almost forgotten that Hayden had moved next door; with her early departures and late returns, she hadn’t run into him recently. “No, someone is coming to pick me up.”
“You might be late waiting for them. It’s hard to get a taxi here,” Hayden pointed out.
Aurora checked her watch again. She had some time, but preparing breakfast for Julian had taken longer than expected. “Alright then,” she conceded, heading towards the backseat.
“Sit in the front,” Hayden said, locking the back door. Aurora, feeling somewhat helpless and pressed for time, complied and sat in the passenger seat. Once, she had harbored feelings of revenge against Hayden, but now that she no longer hated him, she wasn’t quite sure how to act around him.
Hayden glanced over her attire, which was starkly different from the past. She wore a silk shirt on top paired with cropped black pants and about three-inch high heels. A trench coat was draped over her shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to just below the elbows, revealing a wristwatch on her arm. She exuded a sharp, professional air, completely unlike her appearance the night before.
As the car started, the scenery along the roadside receded into the background. Hayden broke the silence, “Back in high school, I often wondered what it would be like when we started working.”
“It’s just living a life like everyone else, living for the sake of living,” Aurora replied, tucking her wind-tossed hair behind her ears as she looked out the window.
“Aurora, do you truly love him?” Hayden asked, having understood the feelings Julian had for Aurora after witnessing a scene the previous night. At that time, he had seen Aurora rushing towards the champagne tower, but he was too far to assist her. Only when Julian rescued her did he feel relieved, yet he also realized that his own chances with her were even less likely.
“Mr. Alvarez, let me say this again, I wouldn’t joke about my marriage. I agreed to be with Julian sincerely; I love him, and he loves me,” Aurora stated, clarifying the truth to dispel any lingering hopes Hayden might have had.
“Aurora, if that incident hadn’t happened three years ago, do you think you would be with me now?”
“There are no ‘ifs’ in this world,” Aurora dismissed the hypothetical question.
“Yes, no ‘ifs’,” Hayden murmured. “Does he… does he treat you well?”
“He does everything he can.”
“That’s good.” Hayden had much to say, but it now seemed pointless.
He dropped Aurora off at the entrance of her office building. She unbuckled her seatbelt, grabbed her sandwich, and prepared to leave. “Thank you for today.”
“Wait…” Hayden hesitated.
“What is it?”
“What are you holding?” Hayden asked curiously.
“It’s a sandwich I made myself, why?” Aurora looked at him, puzzled.
“I haven’t had breakfast either. Could I have your sandwich? It’s been a long time since I’ve had one made by you,” Hayden’s request brought back memories.
Back when he used to come home on weekends, Aurora would make breakfast, and he cherished those sandwiches the most. She used to say with a smile, “You like it? Then I’ll make them for you forever.”
“Yeah, even when I’m toothless, I’ll still want your sandwiches.”
Thinking back, their youthful pledges now seemed naive. Human shoulders are too fragile to bear lifelong promises. They had met at the wrong time, and all they had given each other was endless agony.
Awakening from her memories, Aurora handed him the sandwich box. “Mr. Alvarez, our past was merely a misunderstanding. I am not the right person for you, and should we meet again, let’s be strangers.”
“Aurora, if we can’t be lovers, can’t we at least be friends?”
“No, we cannot.” She walked away nonchalantly.