Emily carefully got out of bed and picked up her clothes, especially her Pikachu shorts, grateful that he hadn’t seen them in the darkness the night before.
Kevin had always mocked her style, saying that she had graduated from college a year ago, and she still dressed like a schoolgirl. She had just laughed it off at the time, enjoying her casual attire and lively personality, preferring it to uncomfortable high heels.
But the image from last night lingered in her mind.
She recalled the girl who usually wore a white dress, looking so delicate and pure, as if a breeze could sweep her away at any moment. Her voice was truly sexy when she opened the door, her black lace dress adding a touch of allure.
“This is everyone’s idea of a pure and innocent girl, the delicate woman I’ve always protected, and this is how she ‘repays’ me,” Emily thought bitterly. The memory brought a trace of sadness to her brows as she turned on her phone and saw a post from that woman.
It was a photo of her interlocking fingers with a man, captioned: “From now on, we walk this path together.”
It seemed like just another couple flaunting their love, but the man was wearing a diamond ring identical to her own engagement ring. Emily had bought the ring with Caroline’s assistance, and it was a unique design available only in their town of Clothville-a fact Caroline was well aware of. Below the post were many comments from friends: “You’re engaged? Congratulations!”
“Oh, my, then we’ve missed our chance?”
“Wow, what a secret you have been keeping! When did you get a boyfriend? We had no idea.”
The woman had replied, “We’ve been together for a year, today is our anniversary.”
A whole year! Emily felt sick thinking about the time she had spent with Kevin, and how she was deceived by them for a whole year. If she hadn’t returned from Chicago a day early to surprise Kevin yesterday, she wouldn’t have witnessed that drama-what a spectacle it was.
In her grief, her phone rang with a call from an unknown number. She pressed the answer button listlessly.
“Hello?”
“Did you call me last night?” a strange woman’s voice inquired.
“You must have the wrong number,” Emily responded and hung up, dragging her weary body to the bathroom.
She turned on the shower, feeling the water’s temperature shift from cold to hot, and collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Even if she fought with that man out of spite, they were still happy, oblivious to her misery. Biting her fingertips, tears rolled down her cheeks. She wished she had never come back. Love was always the most painful.
Eric also woke up remembering everything from the night before, looking at the woman beside him, her face buried in the pillow, her makeup smeared from crying. The night was unforgettable, but her tear-stained face obscured any memory of her features. They each had what they needed from the other; why should he concern himself with her looks? Eric got out of bed, ready to get dressed.
Eric had always considered himself a loner, and now, he would have nothing more to do with her. He left promptly. As he stepped outside, he saw two figures nestled together: Aurora, clinging to Julian’s arm, a rarely seen coquettish expression on her face. Hidden in the shadows, Eric’s eyes nearly bled with fury.
Julian, that damned Julian, had outmaneuvered him!
“What could possibly be so important that you couldn’t send an assistant to fetch it, but had to come yourself?”
“I won’t tell you. I’m just going inside to tidy up a bit; wait here for me,” Aurora said cheerfully, actually leaving him outside.
Once Aurora entered the room, Eric stepped out, radiating a chilling coldness.
“Mr. Barnet, you’ve played your hand well,” Eric said grimly as he walked in.
Julian looked him over, surprised to see him. It seemed Eric had dodged a bullet last night.
“You’re nowhere close to me. You’ve completely fooled my Little Bunny. It took a lot of effort for her to see your true face,” Julian said, his smile not reaching his eyes.
Two tall figures stood face to face, their powerful auras so intimidating that even the cleaners didn’t dare approach and left immediately.
“Julian, don’t be smug. Aurora is mine!”
“Still so deluded, Eric. I’ll see this through to the end! Last night was just a lesson. It seems you still haven’t learned. I hope you won’t regret this later!”
Both men’s auras flared as Eric left with a cold huff. Aurora came out carrying a bag, having swapped the one from the lingerie store. It was now covered by her clothes from yesterday, which Julian glanced at but didn’t think much of.
“Did I just hear you talking? Is there anyone in the corridor?” Aurora looked around the empty hallway.
“Yeah, the cleaner was asking if we needed the room cleaned. Are you ready? If so, let’s head down,” Julian said, taking the bag from her.
His gesture was instinctive, a kindness that seeped from his very bones, not feigned.
“Let’s go,” they said together, their relationship strengthened by the ordeal.
They processed their checkout at the lobby and ran into Hayden, who was making his routine visit to the hotel. He instantly noticed the couple, watching as Julian affectionately tickled Aurora’s nose.
Aurora’s smile, long absent, blossomed again, a sight that deeply pained Hayden.
He approached them just as Julian, holding Aurora’s hand, was about to leave, but then Hayden intercepted.
“Uncle, today is the last day. Have you considered what Grandfather mentioned?” Hayden asked with a forced smile.
Aurora was unaware of Joaquin’s words. Hearing Hayden, she sensed trouble.
“What are you talking about?”
“It seems Uncle hasn’t told you yet.”
“It’s nothing significant, just a trivial matter, my little nephew. Next time we meet, remember to call her Aunt Aurora.”