Claude continued eating his food instead of answering Mio. He couldn't rush things or force Mio to get close to him. Their relationship wasn't in the right place yet, so he knew he needed to try harder next time.
I saw that Claude didn't open his mouth to answer me and continued his meal. I could tell he was restraining himself from picking a fight. Even though I might seem harsh, I still have a soft heart deep inside.
I don't know why Claude seems different from before, but I don't want to overthink it—because if I do, I'll end up hoping again. Even after I left Claude's side, I never fell in love with anyone else.
Even after I left him, my heart still belonged to him. I felt pathetic because I couldn't let go. Even now, a part of my heart still holds space for him. But for now, I'll forget these feelings. If Claude is truly my destiny, then he'll be mine in the future. I stayed quiet and continued our lunch silently.
After we finished eating, Claude paid for the meal. I didn't even notice when his arm circled my waist, and strangely, I didn't resist. It was the first time Claude ever asked me to have lunch together. I used to dream of this moment.
But back then, Claude always rejected me cruelly, saying things like, "A brother and sister don't eat alone like a couple." Those words broke my heart. And now… Am I happy? I don't even know the answer.
Claude noticed that Mio didn't say anything when he hugged her slender waist. He regretted that they hadn't gotten close sooner. If only he had confessed his feelings back then, maybe things wouldn't feel so awkward now.
If Claude had accepted Mio's confession before, maybe they would have been happy today. Now, all he could do was regret it in silence. Complaining wouldn't change anything. He had no one to blame but himself.
After paying the bill, Claude escorted Mio to the car, opened the door for her, and shielded her head with his hand so she wouldn't hit it. He felt relieved that Mio didn't reject him. He then walked around and sat in the driver's seat, starting the car.
It was the first time Claude treated me so gently. Was this really the Claude I knew? I couldn't get an answer without asking him directly, but I didn't want to. It wasn't my business anymore.
I looked out the window and suddenly realized the route wasn't leading home.
"Where are you taking me? This isn't the way home," I asked calmly.
Claude glanced at me briefly, then focused back on the road.
"Didn't they tell you that we'd be moving out to live on our own? Strange… I thought they'd have told you," Claude said, sounding surprised.
"I thought for sure they would have mentioned it. I never imagined they'd forget," he added, his voice tinged with pity.
"They never told me anything," I said, turning toward Claude with skeptical eyes.
Though Claude didn't look at me, he could feel my disbelief.
"Don't look at me like that—I'm not lying. Mom and Dad already prepared a house for us. They said they didn't want us interfering with their alone time. They're going on a second honeymoon," Claude said, shaking his head helplessly.
He wasn't lying. His father, Wei Lockheart, had told him that he'd leave everything to Claude so he could enjoy a second honeymoon with his wife. Claude admired how romantic they still were, even after so many years.
But Claude also understood why Mio didn't trust him. He used to be a scumbag, and now Mio couldn't help but think he was lying.
"If you don't believe me, you can call Mom right now," Claude said in a sorrowful tone, glancing at Mio with sad eyes that seemed to say, Am I a liar in your mind?
I couldn't bear the way he looked at me. I still had a heart—I wasn't made of stone.
"I don't mean it like that. I don't think you're a liar, but I'll call Mom to clear things up," I said, picking up my phone and dialing her number.
Jane saw my name on the screen and picked up.
"Hello, Mio? What is it? Your dad and I are abroad right now. You know that traveling the world has always been our dream. Are you okay staying with Claude for a while? We'll be gone for a year before coming back. We trust Claude to take care of you," Jane said happily.
"Mom, are you and Dad really not in the country? When did you leave? Why didn't you tell me anything? I would've sent you off properly. Why are you traveling for so long? And why a whole year? Why didn't you tell me we'd be moving after getting married? Why didn't you tell me anything?" I asked, my voice filled with emotion.
"Mio, calm down. Please don't ask so many questions at once. I'll answer everything, so be patient. After you left to register the marriage, we headed to the airport. I'm sorry we didn't tell you. You know how much we've wanted to travel.
You didn't need to send us off—one year will go by fast. And honey, did you forget? I did tell you about moving in with Claude. Did you think we were joking?
We're so happy you married Claude. It gives us peace of mind. You know we love you like our own daughter, and we want to see you happy. I know Claude disappointed you in the past, but give him another chance," she said gently.
"I'm really sorry we didn't say anything about the trip, dear. But remember, we love you very much. We'll stay in touch, so don't worry. Let's talk again later," Jane said before ending the call.
Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn't stop sobbing. I had forgotten that they mentioned moving out, but I never thought they were serious.
"Mio? What did Mom say?" Claude glanced at me and was stunned to see my tears.
"Mio? Are you okay?" he asked again, but I didn't answer.
Claude kept driving in silence toward our new home. He didn't know why I was crying, but he planned to ask once I calmed down.
Before long, we arrived at the new house. Claude parked in the garage and turned toward me. I had already fallen asleep, tears still on my cheeks.
Claude didn't wake me. Instead, he gently carried me inside and laid me on the soft bed in the master bedroom. He covered me with a warm quilt and quietly left the room.
Even though it was the master bedroom, Claude chose to sleep elsewhere. He didn't want to share a bed until I accepted him as my husband. Right now, everything was being forced. Until I fell in love with him again, Claude wouldn't sleep in the same room.
He headed to another bedroom, lay down for a moment, then decided to take a bath and rest. Just as he was about to nap, his phone vibrated on the bedside table. He picked it up and saw Key's name.
Claude rolled his eyes and answered.
"Hello? Do you realize you're bothering me right now? I'm exhausted and need rest," Claude grumbled before Key could speak.
Key Reman, Claude's best friend, was also a movie director. Together with Len Sky and Claude Lockheart, they had founded Jean Entertainment. Len was a top talent scout and promoter. Neither Key nor Len was the heir to their family businesses, so they pursued their dreams freely.
"I called because it's important—way more important than your nap," Key's voice trembled with fear. "That thing you mentioned before... it really happened. The airplane Len and I were supposed to board crashed."
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