She had never been one to cry. In fact, she often viewed tears as the most useless and undignified expression of emotion. In the past, when Heather cried, she would tell her to lift her head and stop.
But now, her emotions overwhelmed her, and tears fell uncontrollably, soaking Julian’s shirt one by one.
Julian held her tightly. Even though he had prepared countless things to say, the words died on his lips.
“She’s here. She’s still here.” That was the only thought in his mind. His arms tightened around her as he held her close, basking in the familiar warmth of her body.
One by one, the people on the plane jumped down. Irene, furious, shouted, “How am I supposed to get down?”
Nick patted her head. “Just have him land the plane somewhere open. Be good.” With that, he slid down the rope himself.
“Damn it! You’re all so smug, bullying me one by one.” Irene glanced down at the height and couldn’t summon the courage to jump.
The village suddenly filled with soldiers in camouflage, armed with weapons. Mrs. Woolf’s face turned pale. How could Julian have such strong military backing? This was bound to cause a misunderstanding.
At that moment, everyone’s attention was drawn to the two people on the stage. The stark contrast of black and white between them was striking, their connection so palpable even from a distance that it moved everyone.
Julian’s voice was hoarse as he spoke. “I’m sorry. I should’ve returned to Clothville sooner. I shouldn’t have ignored your messages. I shouldn’t have been absent when you needed me the most. I failed to protect you.”
Aurora shook her head fiercely in his arms. “You came soon enough. It’s not your fault, truly.”
Meanwhile, Vortex and Nick had subdued Justin. Lana, panicking, shouted, “Let him go, you villains!”
Mrs. Woolf rushed forward as well. “This is all a misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding!”
Aurora was startled by the commotion. She looked over to see Justin pinned to the ground by Vortex and Nick. She didn’t recognize Vortex, but she did know Nick.
“Mr. Coleman, let him go. This is a misunderstanding. Julian, Justin is a good man. He promised to send me back tomorrow.”
Julian hadn’t forgotten what he saw on the restaurant surveillance footage-Aurora and Justin holding hands. Now, seeing her so eager to plead for Justin, a flicker of displeasure crossed his mind.
His gaze swept unconsciously to Aurora’s hand. The massive ring on her middle finger was still there.
Seeing that ring brought him some relief. He remembered being furious when Hayden had gifted Aurora a diamond ring in the past. In response, Julian had bought her an even bigger one, insisting that no matter what happened, she could never take it off. If she and Justin had truly been involved, that ring would’ve been long gone.
Aurora, anxious, was about to step off the stage. But as soon as she took a step, her body was lifted into the air. Julian had scooped her up without hesitation.
“Julian, there are so many people watching. I can walk by myself,” Aurora murmured, embarrassed, burying her face in his chest.
Seeing her shy expression, Julian leaned down and kissed her lips gently. “I feel better holding you and the baby. By the way, has the baby been restless?”
“The baby is still too small. I can’t feel it yet,” Aurora replied as she let him carry her away. “But I’ve been much more emotional lately, and my appetite has changed.”
Justin watched the woman in Julian’s arms. Her expression was one he had never seen before. This was the man she loved so deeply, and indeed, they seemed like the perfect match.
Julian carried Aurora to where Justin was being held but showed no intention of letting her down. “Nick, Vortex, let him go.”
“Are you sure? He might have a weapon on him,” Vortex said, raising an eyebrow. Though he wore a mask, his expression was still clear.
“I’m sure,” Julian replied, glancing at Aurora. He didn’t trust Justin, but he trusted her.
Nick and Vortex released Justin. Aurora quickly stepped down from Julian’s arms. “Justin, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Justin replied. He was skilled in combat, but against Vortex and Nick, he hadn’t lasted more than three moves before being subdued.
Aurora felt deeply apologetic. To outsiders, Justin must have seemed like a dangerous criminal, but she knew otherwise. She couldn’t explain everything to them right now.
Nick, however, was visibly upset as he looked at Aurora. “Do you have any idea how worried Julian was while you were missing? How many sleepless nights he endured? And now you’re defending the man responsible for all this?”
“Mr. Coleman, there’s been a misunderstanding. I’ll explain everything to you later,” Aurora said softly.
Vortex, unfazed, pulled out his phone and made a call. “Call off the reinforcements. Have everyone withdraw for now.”
The scale of the operation to rescue Aurora had been enormous, almost like a war. Only now did Julian realize just how powerful Vortex truly was.
“Little Bunny wouldn’t want to end up overboard. It’s my fault for not protecting her,” Julian said, cutting off Nick’s complaints and pulling Aurora into his arms, fully embracing his role as her devoted protector.
“You’re completely wrapped around her little finger,” Nick muttered. To him, Aurora had made Julian blind to everything, and yet Julian seemed happy to wear the metaphorical blindfold.
Aurora, perceptive as ever, caught the meaning behind Nick’s words just from his gaze.
“It’s all a misunderstanding, Julian. I’ll explain everything to you slowly, okay?” Aurora hooked her finger around his and swayed it gently, a hint of playfulness in her voice.
At that moment, Julian would’ve promised her the stars if she asked. Even the moon wouldn’t be out of reach.
“Alright, whatever you say.” He ruffled her hair affectionately.
“You’ve had a long journey from Clothville. Stay the night, and we’ll leave tomorrow,” Aurora suggested. She knew Julian had come as quickly as he could, even though she had only called him that morning.
She also sensed Nick’s frustration. If things weren’t cleared up tonight, both Nick and Julian would continue to harbor doubts. Leaving now wasn’t the best choice. Suspicion would only grow if left unchecked.
Though Justin had saved Aurora, Julian couldn’t shake the image of the two holding hands. It was like a thorn in his heart.
“Alright,” Julian agreed. He had plenty of questions for Justin.
Mrs. Woolf wiped the sweat from her brow. “Let’s head home first. We can clear up this misunderstanding once we’re there.”
The group made their way to Justin’s stilt house. Even Alison, who had brought the news, was left wondering about the relationship between Aurora and Justin.
The entire way, Julian held Aurora tightly. He had always been like this, even before she was pregnant. Now, with her carrying their child, he was even more protective, as if letting go for even a second would cause her to disappear again.