<strong>Chapter 1000:</strong>


    Aurora was too overwhelmed with emotions to speak. This was what Molly didn’t understand—that liking Dunn wasn’t something utterly bewildering or unfathomable.


    Dunn might seem cold or indifferent, but he was thoughtful and considerate—the very traits that had made her fall for him. He was serious yet warm, strict but gentle with the people he cared about.


    He wasn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve, so when he finally opened up, she knew it was something he had thought long and hard about. That was part of what drew her to him so deeply—his sincerity, his quiet depth.


    The more time she spent with Dunn, the more she was assured that she liked the right man. But what about her? Aurora couldn’t help but see herself as utterly unremarkable. Sure, she excelled in academics, but beyond that, what did she have to offer? She couldn’t even manage to keep her only friend. Rickey had all but stopped contacting her.


    Aurora never imagined that the moment her feelings for her greatest crush were reciprocated, her instinct would be to pull away.


    “I’m sorry,” she lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m just not ready for us to go public yet.”


    “I understand,” Dunn said, his patience clear in his voice. “Take your time. We aren’t in a serious rtionship yet, anyway.”


    “Huh?” Aurora mumbled, a bit confused. “Isn’t this already a serious rtionship?”


    What had she been obsessing over for the past two months, then?


    Dunn smiled, his hand gently ruffling her hair. “When you enter college, that’s when you’ll be mature enough to be in a serious rtionship. It won’t be long, my girlfriend-to-be.”


    Aurora felt her cheeks heat up and quickly turned her gaze away, looking out the window as she tried to suppress a smile.


    Dunn pulled back, resigning from teasing her further, and pulled up a list of nearby hospitals before starting the car. The phone was mounted on the holder, and since the winding road down the mountain was tricky at night, Aurora helped by keeping an eye on the navigation while also watching the road.


    Gradually, Dunn’sposure fell back into ce. And for a moment, he wished time could slow down. But he knew that wasn’t possible.


    If Aurora didn’t get back soon, her family would be worried sick.


    Then there was Rnd—his situation wasplicated. Rnd didn’t trust anyone, and he didn’t seem willing to listen. Dunn knew he’d have to sit down with him soon and have a serious conversation.


    “Someone’s calling,” Aurora pointed to the shing screen of the phone.


    When Dunn saw the caller ID, a sudden tension gripped his chest. It was Rick.


    “Is it your friend?” Aurora asked.


    “Yeah.” Dunn casually swiped at the screen to cancel the call.


    “Why didn’t you take it?”


    “I’ll just call him backter.”


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    Message from Noah: Good night dear ones. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. ?(^?^ )? ′-


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