Julian returned to the vi once again. Once, this ce was his warmest refuge, but now, even before stepping inside, it felt as though his heart had been pierced by a sword, bleeding profusely.


    To reassure Irene and Nick, Julian feigned calmness as he saw them off. "Don''t worry about me. I''ll be fine," he said.


    "The salvage team is still working. No news is the best news. Little Bunny has survived so many storms before," Nick said, trying tofort him.


    Julian nodded. "I''ll go home and get some rest. If anythinges up, I''ll contact you." "Alright. We''ll leave now," Irene replied, her exhaustion evident.


    In truth, none of them were in good shape. Over the past few days, no one had slept properly. Everyone was drained. Irene, in particr, could only think about her bed at home. They hadn''t found Aurora yet, but they were already on the verge of copse. Julian calmly bid them farewell. Mrs. Hill''s red-rimmed eyes betrayed her emotions as she stood nearby, unsure of how to console him.


    "Mr. Ba, she will be alright. You must be hungry. Let me prepare some food for you," she said, covering her face as she retreated to the kitchen. She feared saying anything that might remind Julian of Aurora.


    Even though the vi''s heating was on, Julian felt a coldness seep through his entire body. Normally, he would ascend the stairs in just a few seconds, but now every step felt like a monumental effort.


    In the room, filled with memories of Aurora, everything reminded him of her. It took all his strength to walk inside. The room was exactly as she had left it-wrinkled bedsheets, scattered papers on the desk.


    Julian approached the desk and picked up a piece of paper. The moment his eyesnded on its contents, the pain and sorrow he had suppressed for days surged forth. There was no one else here. No one to see his tears. He didn''t need to hide his emotions anymore.


    The paper he held was one of Aurora''s design drafts. The colorful sketches of jewelry included over ten variations of wedding ring designs.


    He remembered her words from theirst phone call: "Julian, I have a surprise for you when you return."


    "What surprise?"


    "A surprise needs to be seen in person to be one. If I tell you now, it won''t be fun." "Alright, alright. I''lle back early then."


    "Okay, I''ll meet you at the airport."


    Her sweet voice echoed in his mind. The surprise she mentioned must have been these designs.


    One design featured an abstract engraving of the initials "AJ," symbolizing their intertwined hearts.


    The usually strong Julian couldn''t hold back anymore. Tears fell onto the design draft. He imagined how, during the nights he was away, she must have sat at this desk, tirelessly sketching and revising these designs.


    "Little Bunny, Little Bunny, why did you leave me..." Julian pressed the draft against his chest, as if doing so could bring him closer to her.


    He pulled out his phone and opened their voice messages. Aurora''s familiar voice yed:


    "Julian, remember to eat on time. Don''t overwork yourself or rush deadlines. I''m waiting for you at home."


    "Julian, the weather is warming up. It''s not cold anymore. So, can I wear dresses now? Don''t worry, it''s really not cold."


    "Julian, I justnded a big project. Looks like I''m one step closer to you."


    "Julian, I''ve been taking my medicine and eating properly. When youe back, I promise I''ll have gained three pounds."


    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! "Julian..."


    These ordinary conversations now felt unbearably precious. Theirst exchange had ended with the words "so boring," yet now those mundane moments were what he missed the most.


    Julian med himself. If only he hadn''t been so busy, if only he had called her, even just to hear her voice...


    A knock interrupted his thoughts.


    "Mr. Ba, I''ve made you a bowl of noodles. Eat something before you get some rest," Mrs. Hill said softly.


    "I''m not hungry," Julian replied, using his sleeve to wipe away his tears. To see this usually stoic man in such a vulnerable state would have been heartbreaking to anyone. Hearing the hoarseness in his voice, Mrs. Hill''s eyes filled with unshed tears. "Mr. Ba, you must take care of yourself. If Miss Auroraes back and sees you like this, how am I supposed to exin it to her?"


    Her words seemed to strike a chord. Julian clenched his fist. She woulde back. They were just temporarily separated.


    "Bring it in," he said, forcing himself to stay strong. He couldn''t fall apart. He had to live well-for her.


    After eating, he went to wash up. His unshaven chin, with its rough stubble, caught his attention. He hadn''t shaved in three days.


    He remembered how Aurora used to wake up and nestle in his arms, her small hands brushing against the stubble on his chin.


    Picking up a razor, he carefully shaved, washed his face, and tidied himself up. He needed to be in his best state to wee her back. He didn''t want her to see him looking haggard.


    Even with Aurora''s voice messages ying, Julian struggled to fall asleep. At most, he could sleep for two or three hours before waking up.


    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! Each time he woke, the absence of her presence in the space beside him left him hollow. No matter how much he tried to suppress his emotions, the pain didn''t subside.


    Finally, after barely managing five hours of sleep, Julian sat on the bed in his pajamas, lost in thought. He didn''t know what to do, his mind consumed by images of Aurora''s face and smile.


    "Mr. Ba, there are guests. Would you like to see them?" Mrs. Hill''s voice came from outside the door.


    "Who is it?" he asked, his tone t.


    "Genevieve and Zachary. They said they have something important to tell you."


    At the mention of their names, anger red in Julian''s chest. If not for Ivy, Aurora


    wouldn''t have fallen into the sea. How dare theye to him now?


    Initially, he wanted to refuse to see them. But then something urred to him. "Have them wait in the living room," he ordered.


    "Understood, Mr. Ba."


    Julian changed out of his pajamas into a ck turtleneck sweater-soft and understated. It was one Aurora had chosen for him.


    Genevieve and Zachary, after much deliberation, had decided toe. Their reasons were twofold: to ask Julian not to retaliate against them and to seek his help if Ivy was in trouble.


    If Ivy had managed to send word to Genevieve, perhaps Aurora had done the same for Julian. Combining their information might reveal crucial clues.


    With these thoughts in mind, Genevieve and Zachary arrived, only to be greeted at the door by Mrs. Hill-the very person Genevieve had once dismissed from her service.