Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

By the tthey returned to Clothville, it was already evening. The streets were glowing with colorful lights, a festive display that hinted at the approaching New Year. The vibrant atmosphere felt romantic, like a scene from a dream.

"Julian, it's been years since I last spent New Year's with my family," Aurora said softly, leaning into Julian's embrace. Over the past few years, she had been staying in New York, far from home.

Whenever the New Year approached, she would tell her grandfather she was too busy with her studies to return. In truth, she was afraid. She feared that, without a solid foundation of her own, her return might spark conflict. Staying away was a way to avoid frightening Genevieve, who would see her presence as a threat and might go to any length to eliminate her.

For three long years abroad, Aurora had only Asher by her side. He would take her out to feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year, even going so far as to research Clothville's holiday traditions online. They clung to each other like family, a bond forged in loneliness.

Julian's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "It's okay. From now on, I'll spend every New Year with you. Why the sad look? What's on your mind?" "I was thinking about Ashy. Every year, he was the one who spent New Year's with me," Aurora replied with a wistful smile. "I can still remember the first twe fumbled around in the kitchen together." Her mind traveled back to her first year in New York, the hardest year of her life. They had no money to eat out, so they stayed in their tiny rented apartment and cooked their own meals. She could still picture Asher's clumsy attempts at cooking. The food they made was far from appetizing, but they ate every last bite, laughing at their own foolishness.

Julian observed Aurora's expression and knew it wasn't love she felt for Asher, but rather a fond recollection of the kindness and warmth they had shared during difficult times. He hugged her tighter.

"Little Bunny, do you know something?" Julian said softly. "I envy Asher. He was there for you when you needed someone the most. You struggled and fought together, while I... I didn't even know where I was back then. But I'm also thankful. Thankful that you didn't love him." Julian's voice was steady but filled with emotion. Had Aurora fallen in love with Asher, he might never have had a chance with her. Knowing this, he didn't resent Asher's place in Aurora's heart. He understood that Asher would always hold a special spot in her life-perhaps not as a lover, but as someone even more significant than family. "Maybe it's because Ashy was too good to me," Aurora mused thoughtfully. "So good that I've always seen him as family, not as someone I could love romantically. Julian, let's invite Ashy to spend New Year's with us this year." "Whatever you want," Julian agreed. He knew there was no threat to their relationship, so he didn't mind her keeping Asher close.

"Great!" Aurora beamed. "If Denis is still in Clothville, we can invite him too. And Nick, Irene... I feel like I've made so many friends all of a sudden." "Yes," Julian said with a smile. "Without realizing it, we've gone from being alone to being surrounded by people. It's a comforting thought-knowing we're no longer lonely." Aurora's excitement grew. "This is perfect. This year, I'll cook for everyone. I've never celebrated New Year's with so many people before. It's going to be so lively!" "Anything you want, as long as you're happy," Julian said, holding her close. For him, as long as Aurora was by his side, nothing else mattered.

As the New Year approached, their schedules bechectic once again. Piles of documents filled their desks, and the year-end tasks seemed endless. Julian had it even worse, given the scale of his business empire.

To make tfor the holiday, both of them worked overtime, sharing a quiet understanding that these long hours were a small price to pay for a few carefree days together.

One day, Julian received an unexpected phone call. In the past, he wouldn't have answered this person's calls, but his anger toward them had softened over time.

"Hello?" "Joaquin here. This year, why don't you bring Aurora hfor New Year's? It's been years since you cback," Joaquin said.

Every year, Joaquin made the srequest, and every year Julian refused. But this time, things were different. He had already discussed it with Aurora, and they had agreed to have dinner with the Alvarez family before heading to the Montgomery family the next day.

"Sure," Julian replied without hesitation.

On the other end of the line, Joaquin was stunned. He had never expected such an easy yes. "Are you serious?" "Do you think I'd lie about this?" Julian sounded slightly exasperated. He knew he had hurt this old man deeply in the past, so much so that a simple agreement now seemed miraculous.

"Alright then. I won't bother you anymore. Just make sure you cback early," Joaquin said, quickly hanging up.

Julian frowned at the abrupt end of the call. "I wasn't even complaining. Why hang up so fast?" he muttered to himself.

He didn't realize it, but he had changed. Love had softened him, transforming the man he once was into someone kinder and more patient. All because of Aurora. She made him want to give her a happy, complete family. And in doing so, he had started to care about his own family again. After all, Joaquin was still his father.

As he put down the phone, a small smile tugged at his lips. This new feeling wasn't so bad, after all.

As the year drew to a close, the streets grew busier, filled with people rushing about. Meanwhile, news from Europe began to spread. Michael Bardem's company had finally announced the identity of their new partner.

For months, rumors had swirled about Bardem's North European project, which had attracted them interest of wealthy business moguls worldwide. Many sought to collaborate with him, but all left disappointed. Even those who tried to pry information from Bardem's company were met with silence.

When the announcement came, it shocked everyone. The chosen company wasn't one of the industry giants they had expected. It was an e unfamiliar name, a fledgling company that had only recently been established. New York's R Company.

In the R Company office, Erica walked into the president's office with a cup of coffee in hand.

"Madam, have you seen the news?" she asked.

Tina looked up from her computer, her expression weary. "What is it?" "Do you know who Michael Bardem chose as his partner?" "Who?" Tina's energy had been waning lately, and her working hours were growing shorter by the day.

"Aurora! Michael Bardem chose her company. She's incredible, isn't she? To win this deal over Mio... that's truly remarkable." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1