Chapter 475

Renee jolted awake.

She glanced over at Aaron, who was thrashing around in his sleep, his hands flailing as if trying to fend off something. Renee knew he was having a nightmare, just like she had been.

She quickly grabbed his hand and leaned in close to his ear.

"Aaron, wake up. We're safe now. We're on the boat."

"Safe... on the boat..." Aaron mumbled, repeating the words unconsciously.

Renee gently shook him. "Aaron, wake up. Open your eyes and you'll see me. Please, wake up."

Aaron furrowed his brow and struggled to open his eyes. When he finally did, he saw Renee's worried face staring back at him.

"Renee, are you okay?" Aaron's voice was hoarse, but he didn't care. He just wanted to know if Renee was alright.

Renee's hands were tightly clasped in his, and she felt a mix of relief and sorrow. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head.

"Look, I'm fine. I'm standing right here in front of you. We're on our way back home. No one is chasing us anymore."

Aaron propped himself up and looked around, realizing they were indeed on a boat. He finally relaxed.

"It's true. We're safe."

He let out a sigh of relief and then remembered what had happened before he lost consciousness.

"Renee, I remember someone helped us. They shot the person who was trying to kill us. Who was that?"

This was a foreign country, and someone had stepped in to save them. He owed that person a debt of gratitude.

Renee shook her head, looking puzzled.

"I don't know who it was. They disappeared right after firing the shot. You were unconscious, and I was in a hurry to get you on the boat. I don't know what happened after that."

But as she spoke, a familiar face flashed in Renee's mind.

Could it be him?

She remembered when she was first chosen by the Adri Family, there was a young man who joined the organization at the same time.

She was selected for research and development, while he was sent to the assassination unit.

Their only interaction was during an unexpected mission.

She had knocked a poisoned drink out of his hand, spilling it on the ground. He had thanked her and told her his codename.

That was it.

Assassins in the organization always wore masks on missions, so she didn't even know what he looked like.

She only knew his name was Ian.

Wait, there was one more time.

At Daniel's funeral.

Isabella had been framed by Bianca, and when Renee arrived at the scene, she saw a young waiter cleaning up.

He had seemed oddly familiar, but she couldn't place him.

Now she realized that person might have been Ian.

Bianca, favored by the boss, used Ian as a tool, ordering him around as she pleased.

No wonder he knew so much about the poisons.

Because he was the person she knew.

Renee's brow furrowed deeply. If she had realized sooner that Ian was the one, maybe Isabella wouldn't have lost her child.

This was Renee's fault.

But despite being back in Auroria for so long, Renee hadn't been able to find any trace of Ian.

She wanted to tell him to stop hurting Isabella, but he seemed to have vanished. No matter where she looked, he was nowhere to be found.

Then yesterday, in that life-or-death moment, Ian suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

He saved her and then disappeared.

Seeing Renee lost in her thoughts, Aaron assumed she was feeling guilty for not finding their savior.

He squeezed her hand and patted it gently. "Hey, it's okay. Once we're back home, we can ask around. We'll find a way to repay this debt."

Renee didn't know how to tell Aaron about Ian. Considering his injuries, she didn't want to stress him out further, so she just nodded.

"Okay."

Aaron's injuries had stabilized, and he just needed rest to recover.

For the next two days, Renee stayed by his side.

She had to hold him to fall asleep, and their bond grew even stronger after this life-and-death experience.

Neither of them wanted to be apart again.

After the two-day journey, Renee and Aaron finally returned home.

As soon as they got off the boat, they were greeted by Isabella.

Aaron needed a thorough check-up at the hospital, so Isabella had bodyguards take him to a private hospital affiliated with the Wilson Family.

After all, he had a gunshot wound, and they needed to be cautious.

Renee got into Isabella's car and headed back to the Wilson Estate.

Olivia had been so excited to hear Renee was back that she had been waiting at the door since early morning.

When she saw Renee get out of the car, she rushed over and hugged her tightly. "Renee, you're finally back! I was so scared when I heard you were hurt. Thank goodness you're okay. And Aaron's got some real guts, taking a bullet for you. Just for that, he deserves to be your boyfriend."

Renee was nearly suffocated by Olivia's bear hug, but being back at the Wilson Estate, she finally felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Listening to Olivia's concerned words, all the fear and frustration from her time abroad found an outlet.

God knew how close she had come to dying in Auroria.

"Isabella, Olivia, I'm back."

Renee cried as she looked at them.

Isabella smiled and patted her shoulder. "That's right, you're back safe and sound."

"Renee, welcome home."

She said "home," not just "back."

From the day Renee moved in, Isabella had told her she could consider this place her home.

Renee was deeply moved and cried even harder.

"Isabella, you're too good to me."

Olivia's eyes reddened too, and she nudged Renee with her elbow. "Come on, it's a happy occasion. Stop crying, or you'll make me cry too."

Before she could finish, they were both crying and hugging each other.

Isabella watched them, feeling a bit helpless.

But she didn't stop them or say anything.

Renee had been through so much, and Aaron had been seriously injured because of her. The pressure on her must have been immense.

It was good for her to have a chance to let it all out.

After a good cry, Renee felt much better, and the three of them went inside.

Cinda had already prepared a meal, and Renee ate while recounting the dangers they had faced over the past few days.

She didn't mention Ian.

It wasn't that she didn't want to; she just didn't know how to face Isabella.

Even though she hadn't recognized him at the time, she still felt largely responsible for what happened to Isabella's child.

After all, the poisons had come from her.

But she was incredibly grateful to have met Isabella, her savior, and Olivia, her friend.

For the first time, it seemed like her life might have some hope and light in it-just like anyone else's.