Julian stood silently to the side, watching Aurora as she erupted with fury he had never seen before. Even on the night she had been drunk, she only wept quietly.
She had always pretended to be strong, never mentioning the past. But now, all the anger she had buried deep inside finally surfaced in a storm of emotions.
Julian didn’t stop her. He understood that emotions bottled up for too long needed an outlet. Everyone needed a way to release their pain.
Ivy, on the other hand, was stunned by Aurora’s outburst. Three years ago, Aurora had been quiet and subdued, barely speaking when she was at home.
Now, she was cold and proud, and she had never spoken to them in such a loud and forceful manner. Ivy stood frozen, dumbfounded, only snapping back to her senses after a long pause.
“Aurora… I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up things that would upset you. I just want us all to be okay.
Even if we aren’t destined to be family in this lifetime, we once lived under the same roof for years.
You’ve endured hardships, but now you’re living a happy and fulfilling life. You’re still Dad’s daughter, and you have a boyfriend like Mr. Barnet.
You have everything. Meanwhile, we’re the pitiful ones, cast out by the Montgomery family, living in a motel and eating cheap takeout.
We have no home anymore. I don’t want to lose Mom too. Aurora, I’m begging you. Even if it’s just out of pity, please help us. It’s just a small effort for you, but it means everything to us.”
“I’m sorry. If it were anyone else, I might consider it. But since it’s you, I won’t help. You can leave now,” Aurora said coldly, shaking off Ivy’s hand and turning to walk back into the house.
“Aurora, do you really hate us that much?!” Ivy’s voice trembled as she called out.
Aurora didn’t turn back. “Yes. I hate you. I hate you very much.”
Zachary helped Ivy up, his tone filled with bitterness. “See? I told you it was pointless to ask her. She’s always been narrow-minded and has hated us for years.
She’s probably laughing at our misfortune now. Do you really think she’d help us?”
“I don’t care what kind of person she is. I just want to save Mom,” Ivy said, her voice breaking. If she hadn’t been desperate, she would never have come to Aurora for help.
“Let’s go. We’ll think of something else,” Zachary said, seeing Ivy on the verge of collapsing. He had no choice but to take her away.
Inside the house, Julian followed Aurora and found her body still trembling. He stepped closer and gently wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“Little Bunny, it’s okay to let it out. Don’t keep everything bottled up inside,” he whispered.
“Julian, do you think I’m cruel? I can’t let go of the past,” Aurora said, turning into his embrace.
Julian cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. “Silly Bunny, how could you be cruel? To me, you’re the warmest, kindest person I’ve ever known.
Even at five years old, you jumped off a boat to save me.
Genevieve and her family hurt you so much in the past. I don’t understand how they even have the audacity to come to you for help.
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t even let them appear in front of me, let alone ask for favors.
You have no obligation to help people who’ve hurt you so deeply. Don’t let yourself be tied down by so-called morality.”
Aurora nodded. “Let’s not talk about them anymore. They’ve already gotten what they deserved. As long as they don’t bother me again, I can let it go. Julian, I’m hungry.”
“Alright, what do you want to eat? I’ll ask Mrs. Hill to make it for you,” Julian said, his voice soft as he noticed her mood improving.
“I don’t want Mrs. Hill’s cooking,” Aurora replied.
“Then what do you want?” Julian asked, his tone indulgent as always when he spoke to her.
“I suddenly feel like eating something you cook,” Aurora said, snuggling into his arms with a playful smile.
Julian pinched her nose lightly. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll poison you? Don’t forget the time I tried to make brown sugar water for you. It was a disaster, even with just two ingredients: sugar and ginger.”
“I’m not afraid. Even if it’s poison, I’ll eat it as long as you’re the one who made it,” Aurora said, her voice filled with affection. She didn’t have a reason-she just wanted to eat something he made.
“Alright, alright, my little princess. How could I refuse you? Rest for a bit, and I’ll start cooking right away,” Julian said, already rolling up his sleeves as he removed his suit jacket.
Even such a simple gesture seemed elegant to Aurora. She happily ran off to fetch him an apron.
“I don’t want your white shirt to get stained. Here, wear this,” she said with a small smile.
Julian glanced at the frilly, feminine apron with a hint of disdain. But seeing the joy on Aurora’s face, he didn’t dare upset her again.
“You put it on me,” he said, a playful smile spreading across his face.
Their interaction was filled with warmth, as if the air around them was tinged with pink bubbles. They both cherished these moments together.
“Alright, young master, I’ll put it on for you,” Aurora teased, slipping the apron over his head.
Julian cooperated, raising his arms while she tied the strings around his waist. But just as she finished tying the knot, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace.
Aurora blushed. “Alright, stop messing around.”
“I’m not messing around. I just want to hold you,” he said softly.
“Haven’t you held me enough already? Be good and let go, okay?” she coaxed, as if she were soothing a child.
“No. I’ve never cooked for anyone before. Don’t I deserve some kind of reward?” Julian teased, though he had only hugged her on impulse when she was tying the apron.
Aurora tilted her head, thinking. “Hmm, I’ll give you a reward.”
She thought back to the outfits she’d bought recently. Alison had told her to take things slowly, but the last time she wore the cat costume, Julian had gone wild. She wondered how he’d react to the other outfits.
“Really?” Julian asked, surprised. He hadn’t expected her to agree so readily. He had no idea about the wardrobe she had in store for him.
“Of course. When have I ever lied to you? Now, hurry up. I’m starving,” Aurora said, pushing him toward the kitchen.
Her own thoughts were beginning to wander, and if this continued, she might lose control herself. Julian, with her promise in mind, was in high spirits.
“Just so we’re clear, I can only make the simplest dishes. Don’t blame me if it’s bad,” he warned.
“Don’t worry. I’ll eat whatever you make,” Aurora said with a gentle smile.
As she watched Julian pull out ingredients, his long, slender fingers-so adept at playing the piano and signing contracts-seemed clumsy as he washed vegetables.
But the serious expression on his face warmed her heart.