She stepped out of her apartnt, carrying her suitcase with quiet confidence.
At the airport, she made a few more adjustnts to her appearance, changing her outfit to one that made her look older and more mature.
The mask stayed on, hiding her features as she went through the check-in process.
On board the flight, Aurora settled into her first-class seat. She leaned back, closed her eyes, and let herself rest.
The hours passed quietly as the plane crossed the skies.
When she finally woke, the aircraft had already landed.
A soft announcent filled the cabin as passengers began to stand and collect their belongings.
Aurora noticed a middle-aged man with a charming air speaking into his phone about so business deal, his deep voice carrying over the hum of movent.
It was then she realized she had slept through the landing and the early bustle of passengers leaving.
A flight attendant approached her politely. "Miss, we’ve landed. It’s ti to disembark."
Aurora nodded, unhurried. She picked up her suitcase and stepped off the plane.
Once outside the airport, she kept her head slightly lowered, making sure her face stayed hidden beneath the mask and her black hair.
She avoided drawing attention as she crossed the busy terminal and went directly to a car rental service.
She rented a car under her false identity and drove straight to the city where Spencer’s apartnt was located.
Arriving at the building, she parked the car and checked into a small apartnt she had rented for a month.
The room was modest but comfortable. She locked the door, drew the curtains, and finally allowed herself to rest.
The long journey had taken a toll on her.
When she woke after a short nap, she felt the dull ache of a headache and a faint fever spreading through her body.
A sigh escaped her lips as she pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Just my luck," she muttered softly. "One flight and I’m already feeling sick."
She knew her body was not in the best condition, but she had no choice.
If she waited any longer, she would miss her chance to see Spencer.
She had promised herself that she would return to her own city by tomorrow morning.
That ant tonight’s flight was her only option.
With a quiet sigh, she rose to her feet.
Her legs felt weak, and there was a slight tremble in her hands as she pulled on her coat.
She walked out of the rented apartnt, locking the door behind her, and headed toward the elevator
The residential area Spencer had chosen was known for its strong security.
Even renting a room there required one to have a spotless record and trustworthy background.
Aurora had used every connection she could gather to secure her temporary apartnt.
Without that, she would not have been allowed even to step past the gates.
Standing before his apartnt door, she hesitated for a heartbeat.
Her fingers felt colder than usual as she reached out and pressed the bell.
A soft chi rang inside the apartnt, and then silence.
Finally, a chanical voice ca from the small speaker beside the door.
"Who are you, and what is your purpose here?"
Aurora blinked at the question.
She had expected a more straightforward response.
Gathering her thoughts, she said gently, "I am here to et Spencer."
The voice on the other end sounded calm, but there was a hint of suspicion.
"Please state your identity first. Without it, you cannot be allowed in."
Aurora paused.
Her original plan had been to enter as a nurse, but during the flight she had checked her phone and found that her application had been rejected.
She had no official reason to visit him now.
For a mont, she remained silent, wondering if she should turn back.
But her determination prevented her from doing so.
She took a deep breath and said softly, "Could you call Spencer to the door? Please."
There was no reply. The silence stretched on so long that Aurora thought she would be refused entry.
Just as disappointnt began to sink in, the chanical voice returned.
"You may enter."
Aurora was startled by the sudden change but said nothing. She waited as the door clicked open.
Inside stood a tall man in his early thirties, with a composed expression.
Aurora imdiately recognized him as Caleb, Spencer’s trusted assistant.
Caleb studied her for a mont.
He did not question her but nodded politely and gestured for her to follow.
On entering, Aurora felt her breath hitching.
Spencer was lying on the bed, his usually strong figure weakened by the bandages that wrapped his arms and shoulders.
An IV drip hung nearby, its slow drops the only sound breaking the silence of the room.
Aurora’s fingers curled into a fist.
The rare sight of Spencer looking so fragile stirred a deep ache in her chest.
She had never seen him like this, and it made her realize once again how much he had endured.
Spencer, who had been staring at the doorway as if expecting soone, looked up the mont she stepped inside.
His eyes lit up with recognition, and a smile spread across his face, warm and joyful.
Aurora froze. She was still wearing her disguise, her black hair, spectacles, and mask.
There was no reason he should know who she was.
Yet he called her na softly, "Aurora."
The sound of his voice saying her na with such certainty left her stunned.
She wondered how he could recognize her so easily.
What she did not know was that during his darkest years, Spencer had morized the depths of her eyes during his darkest ti to draw strength.
No matter the disguise, he could never mistake those eyes.
She reached up and removed her mask, then the spectacles, and finally pulled off the black wig.
Her natural red hair tumbled over her shoulders as she smiled faintly at him.
"Your eyes are too sharp," she said softly.
Caleb, who had been quietly standing by, looked surprised.
Only then did he understand why his boss had allowed a stranger into the apartnt without any hesitation.
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