Aurora froze for a moment. "Why aren't we going to the hospital anymore?" "You should ask yourself that, Aurora. Did I underestimate you?" Justin had already spoken to Mrs. Woolf when he returned, questioning her about what Aurora and Julian had said. At first, those words seemed harmless, but now he realized Aurora had found a clever way to send him a message, and the man had understood it.
The hospital was no longer an option. Considering how much Aurora had been running around lately, Justin thought it would be too exhausting for her to return to the ship right away. He decided she should stay on land for a while instead.
He mentioned a place Aurora had never heard of before. Mrs. Woolf paused, then nodded. "It's about tto go back. Besides, Petal Fest is coming up in a few days. I haven't attended it in years." Aurora wasn't familiar with Petal Fest. It was likely a local festival.
Julian was already gone, and her heart sank into despair. Having missed him this time, how would she ever meet him again? She stayed silent during the journey, sitting in the back seat, her exhaustion eventually lulling her to sleep.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMeanwhile, Nick had failed to catch up with the car. "We've lost the trail." Julian was filled with remorse, blaming himself. "It's all my fault. If I'd insisted on going over to look, I would've found her. It's all on me!" Seeing him pound his head in frustration, Irene quickly stopped him. "Hurting yourself won't bring Little Bunny back. Don't worry, she's smart. She'll find another way to contact you. Keep your phone on and be ready. Next time, we'll act carefully and make sure nothing like this happens again." "Yes," Julian agreed, though his heart burned with frustration. "From the video, it's clear that pirate is protective of her. He's even afraid she might trip while walking. And since they could dine in a high-end restaurant, it seems his situation isn't bad. For now, Aurora won't suffer." But the memory of their intertwined hands ignited jealousy in Julian's chest. Those days he had spent with Aurora were now gone, leaving him anxious and powerless. If only they had caught the car's license plate back then, they could've intercepted them. He had been so close to her, yet now she felt further away than ever.
Aurora's journey stretched on. She had no idea where Justin was taking her. The car stopped and started several times, eventually turning onto a narrow, rural road.
"The next part of the trip might be a bit bumpy. Hang in there," Justin said.
Since that night, Aurora hadn't spoken to Justin again. She ate her meals properly, slept well, and kept herself in the best possible condition, preparing for her next chance to escape.
She wasn't angry anymore. Anger wasn't good for the baby. Everything she did now was for the sake of her next attempt to leave.
Justin glanced at Aurora's profile. She kept her eyes on the window, her expression curious. Born and raised in a big city, she had never been to a place like this. It was natural for her to find it .
"We're heading to my hometown," Justin said after a while. "It's small but beautiful. It's not as bustling as the city, but it has its own charms. For example, the skies are blue, the air is fresh, you can drink water straight from the mountain streams, and the vegetables from the fields are free of chemicals. You've always lived in big cities- this is probably your first tvisiting a small mountain village. Coincidentally, the Petal Fest is happening soon. Have you heard of it?" Aurora shook her head. She had heard of festivals like the Torch Festival or the Water Splashing Festival, but Petal Fest was new to her.
Seeing her respond, Justin grew more enthusiastic. "Petal Fest comes from a local legend. It's one of our traditional festivals. While it's not as famous as the Water Splashing Festival, it's deeply cherished by us.
If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "According to legend, our ancestors were born from beautiful flowers, blessed by a deity who oversees childbirth. We believe that everyone in this world was once a flower in the garden before being reincarnated into human form. That's why we honor the Petal Lady during the festival. "On this day, women hold grand ceremonies. They prepare offerings, incense, and candles to worship the Petal Lady. Groups of women also go out to gather flowers to wear, praying for fertility and the health of their children. Unfortunately, this tradition has faded in many places, but my hometown has preserved it." Aurora found these stories intriguing, especially the Petal Fest. "You said it's for blessing children?" "Exactly," Justin replied. "That's one of the reasons I'm bringing you here. I want you to see the place where I grew up. And since you don't want to stay on the ship, we'll stay in the village for a while. The fresh air is good for you and the baby, and you can even pray for blessings for the baby." Justin's thoughtfulness made it hard for Aurora to hate him. He was, after all, a good person-just one who had fallen in love with the wrong person.
"I know you resentfor taking you away," Justin said earnestly, "but I can't bear to part with you." Aurora had nothing to say to that. Love was a tangled mess, and no amount of reasoning could untie it. She couldn't convince Justin to let her go, just as Justin couldn't convince her to give up on Julian and love him instead.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIf things continued this way, they would only end up back where they started. Aurora decided to let go of her frustration. At least Julian knew she was safe. And Justin, for all his flaws, was still a gentleman and wouldn't harm her.
Worrying was pointless. She might as well take this tto rest, treat it like a vacation, and explore a new plade.
She would wait patiently for the right opportunity. When it came, she would notify Julian immediately. Life was long, and she refused to believe Justin could confine her forever.
If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! The car moved e stowly, careful not to jolt Aurora. They drove deeper into the mountains, passing scenery so breathtaking that it was rare to see in the city. Aurora found herself drawn to the views outside, and Justin, noticing her interest, began sharing stories from his childhood. Occasionally, Aurora would smile faintly, her lips curving ever so slightly. Their relationship slowly began to thaw, though Mrs. Woolf's expression remained tense. She seemed worried about something.
Justin had made this decision on a whim. In the past, his visits hwere uneventful, but this the had brought Aurora with him. Had he forgotten there was someone else in the village? "Is that your village?" Aurora asked, pointing ahead.
"Yes. Have you ever stayed in a stilt house?" Justin asked.
Aurora shook her head. "No, I've only seen them on TV. This will be my first tseeing one in person."
"Then you'll get to experience it properly," Justin said, his tone warm and patient. "The customs here are NOV quite different from those in big cities." He began explaining more about the village as they approached. mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1