Aurora''s birthday this year was the most unforgettable one of her life. It wasn''t just because of the romantic surprises Julian had prepared-there was something even more memorable.


    For instance, Julian had brought out everyst bit of her "hidden stash" from home.


    Aurora vividly recalled that after theirst intimate moment, he had whispered in her ear, "Not bad. When we''re back, we can shop for some styles we haven''t tried before."


    She had buried her face into the pillow, silently pleading for mercy. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn''t have let him indulge in this particr "vice" in the first ce.


    Although Julian wanted to spend more time with her at sea, neither of them could afford to dy too long. The guests who had traveled far to celebrate her birthday had already left early in the morning. Aurora, however, was carried onto a helicopter- wrapped snugly in a bedsheet by Julian.


    The petite woman slept soundly. Even as he carried her, she showed no signs of waking. She remained fast asleep until they returned to her apartment.


    Asher, smoking a cigarette, watched Julian emerge from Aurora''s bedroom after settling her on the bed. Blowing out a smoke ring, he remarked, "Can''t you ease up a bit? What''s wrong with you-haven''t you ever been with a woman before?"


    Julian shot him a nce. "If you''d ever had one, you''d know how I feel. It''s never enough."


    "She''s still a woman, though. How could she possibly keep up with you physically?" Asher, who had never been in Julian''s shoes, couldn''t help but think Julian was being too domineering.


    Thest time Aurora had visited New York, she''d been covered in marks. And now, just a few dayster, he was at it again. The man was insatiable.


    "Hmph. Once you have a woman, you''ll understand. No matter how many times, it''ll never be enough," Julian said with a cold snort.


    "What''s your n regarding the fact that she can''t get pregnant?"


    At the mention of this topic, Julian lit a cigarette of his own. "What else can I do? Her uterus isn''t like any other organ-it all depends on her body."


    "It''s obvious she really wants to have your child. I don''t even dare to tell her the truth."


    "You think I don''t want a child? But with Aurora''s current condition, what can we do? Let''s keep it from her for now. She''s still young. There''s hope. I''ve already reached out to the world''s top specialists. We will have a child."


    Julian had been quietly working on this for a while. The doctors hadn''tpletely ruled out the possibility, so there was still a chance. As long as it wasn''t an absolute impossibility, there was hope. Julian believed fate wouldn''t be so cruel to him. It was just a matter of time. If they had to wait, so be it. They had patience.


    "Let''s hope so," Asher said.


    "I''m heading back soon. While I''m gone, take care of Little Bunny for me, will you?" Julian asked seriously.


    "You trust me that much? Aren''t you worried I''ll steal her away?" Asher teased.


    "I trust you. And I trust Little Bunny."


    "Sure, you say that now. But I know your temper-if I get too close to her, you''ll probably have a helicopternd on my roof." Asher smirked.


    "What can I say? My Little Bunny is just too cute."


    "Yes, yes, your bunny is white, sweet, and adorable. I''ll just watch her from afar, alright?"


    "Deal. I''m going to say goodbye to her."


    Julian turned back into Aurora''s room. She was curled up under the nket, sleeping soundly-a vision of innocence, like a little bunny.


    "Little Bunny..." Julian gently nudged her. If he hadn''t promised to say goodbye, he wouldn''t have had the heart to wake her.


    "Mmm... Julian." Aurora opened her eyes groggily, looking at him in confusion. "I''m so tired. Let me sleep a bit more."


    "Alright, sleep. I won''t disturb you. I just wanted to let you know I''m leaving," Julian said tenderly, stroking her cheek.


    Aurora blinked herrge eyes at him, her sleepiness fading slightly. "No, Julian, I don''t want you to go."


    Knowing she wasn''t fully awake, Julian gently tapped her nose. "I''ll be back soon. I''ll visit you often."


    "Mm... Hug me," Aurora mumbled, her eyes barely open as she stretched out her arms for an embrace.


    What a little troublemaker. If she didn''t look so exhausted, Julian would have been tempted to hold her down for another round. The thought of not being able to touch her for days made him uneasy.


    He pulled her into his arms tightly. "Little Bunny, you have to miss me. Every second of every day, think of me."


    Before he could finish speaking, he heard her soft, even breathing. She had fallen asleep again. He released her with a sigh-she truly was his Little Bunny.


    Julian tucked the nket around her, kissed her softly on the lips, and whispered, "Little Bunny, sweet dreams."


    Only then did he leave her apartment. It wasn''t a life-or-death farewell, yet every time he parted from her, Julian felt an unbearable ache.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of her. I''ll keep an eye on her and make sure no one else gets close," Asher said, noticing Julian''s reluctant expression. For a man who acted so tough, he could be surprisingly sentimental.


    If you''re loving the book, nel5s is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience—all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Goodbye," Julian said, pulling his gaze away before leaving without looking back. Asher shut the door. The apartment was the same as always, but something about it felt different-Julian''s presence lingered.


    Aurora slept until sunset. When she woke, she rubbed her eyes and instinctively nced to her side. The man was gone.


    She remembered his words as she''d drifted in and out of sleep, telling her he was leaving. Sure enough, when she tried calling him, his phone was already unreachable.


    Aurora got out of bed and dressed. Her body still felt sore, and her legs wobbled as she stood. Just how ruthless had he beenst night?


    After freshening up, she found Asher in the kitchen.


    "Ashy, ever since I came back, you''ve practically be my housekeeper," she teased.


    "d you noticed. I''ve left a mountain of work behind at thepany to be here for you. You''d better repay me properly." Asher was used to bantering with her.


    "Of course! When I have a baby, I''ll let you be her godfather. See how good I am to you?"


    "Don''t even think about it. You''re not nning to dump the kid on me while you and Julian run off for candlelit dinners and romantic getaways, are you? Don''t expect me to y babysitter for life. Kill that idea right now," Asher replied, feigning horror. "Please," Aurora said with augh.


    Neither of them mentioned Julian''s departure. Partings were always hard-why not talk about something cheerful instead?