Selene's eyes shimmered with tears, her voice breaking as she tried to explain herself. Milan instinctively reached forward, his arms almost moving to embrace her. But halfway, he stopped, withdrawing the gesture and instead resting one hand gently on her head.
"I'm… extremely sorry. I didn't mean it," he murmured, patting her softly.
Selene shook her head, voice trembling. "No… it's not your fault. I just… I–" Her words dissolved into sniffles.
"Take your time," Milan said calmly, though inside a sharp regret lingered, clawing at his throat. How could I laugh? After everything she's endured… Am I losing my rationality? His thoughts swirled, scattered, and heavy.
Slowly, he lifted his hand from her head. "Let me get some coffee for you."
Selene's heart sank. She had wanted him to leave his hand there, to give her the hug she desperately craved. She knew he avoided even the slightest touch, always keeping a wall between them, and she respected his boundaries. Yet deep down, she longed for him to hold her—just once. She smirked faintly, guilt easing as she saw the quiet understanding in his eyes.
When she finally composed herself, her face burned red. How could I cry like a child just because someone laughed? The thought made her want to sink into the floor. Her emotions spiraled again, malfunctioning under the weight of shame and confusion.
She pulled out her phone. After a long hesitation, she knew she couldn't stay here much longer—not at a man's house, no matter how kind he seemed. It went against everything she'd been taught. Still conflicted, she dialed her father's number.
The call connected almost instantly. "What's happened, how can my princess ca–" Ethan Nivara's cheerful voice cut short the moment he saw her tear-streaked face on screen. His expression darkened, veins rising on his forehead, his breath turning ragged with fury. "What happened, Selene? Are you alright? Where are you? I'm coming right now!"
Selene quickly explained everything: how she'd set out on the trip with her friend, how that friend had to leave suddenly due to a family emergency, and how Selene had insisted on traveling alone. She told him about being followed by strangers, about the man who helped her—but left out that she was staying at his house.
"I knew it," Ethan roared. "I should never have trusted your friends! Those worthless pieces of—"
"She is my friend!" Selene snapped, puffing her cheeks with a furious yet cute expression. "Don't you dare talk about her like that!"
"I don't care what excuse she had. You don't abandon someone who can't even find her way home, who is sh–"
"Dad! Should I hang up? Because if I do, I'll never call you again!"
His anger shattered at once. He softened instantly, voice trembling. "I'm sorry, dear. Forgive me. Just… promise me you'll call me anytime, okay?"
Selene smiled faintly, lowering her mask. "Okay."
But Ethan's frown returned. "By the way, where are you? At a hotel?"
Selene bit her lip, twisting uncomfortably. "I… I'm at the house of the man who saved me," she blurted out quickly.
"That's fine, no prob—" His eyes widened, voice exploding. "What the hell? You're staying at a man's house? Did something hit your head? Have you lost your mind?"
"I didn't think about it at the time!" Selene's face flamed red. She peeked toward the kitchen, not seeing Milan, and pressed her hands over her cheeks. "He's a good guy. Reliable, honest… not like that."
Ethan's blood boiled, his mind spinning as he watched his daughter hide her face in embarrassment—something she never did, especially not about men. A terrifying realization dawned on him.
"My daughter… isn't the type to fall for anyone," he muttered. "Selene, you forgot what I always told you—no man is good except your fath—"
"I know, I know!" she cut him off, eyes darting again toward the kitchen. "But he's not like that. He's… different."
Ethan's chest tightened. "Selene… what happened?"
"Dad, stop it!" she stammered, flustered. "It's not… it's not like I'm going to marry him!" She buried her face in her hands again, blushing furiously.
Ethan froze. He knew his daughter well. She never spoke without meaning it. If she said this, then deep down, she had already considered the possibility. His mind went blank—until another voice broke in.
"Take it."
Milan appeared, calm and composed, offering a steaming mug. "Be careful. It's hot."
Selene accepted it shyly, cheeks still crimson, unable to meet his eyes. "Th-thank you…"
"No problem."
Before she could sip, Ethan's voice thundered through the phone. "Don't drink it! What if he put something inside?"
Milan exhaled through his nose, shaking his head in quiet disappointment. He hasn't changed… not at all.
Selene's frustration boiled over. "How can you say that to someone who's taking care of your daughter?"
Ethan faltered, regret flashing in his eyes. "I'm sorry. But you see how reckless she is. As a father… what else can I do? Am I wrong?" His voice cracked with helpless pain.
"I'm not dumb…" Selene whispered, embarrassed and wounded.
From the kitchen, Milan's deep voice carried clearly. "Yes, Mr. Ethan, you're right. There's nothing you can do… when she's like that."
"Finally, someone understands," Ethan muttered.
Selene glared at the phone, cheeks puffed in defiance. But then both she and her father froze.
Her heart skipped a beat. Wait… how does he know my father's name? Her blush deepened as she covered her face again.
Ethan's eyes widened, cold sweat trickling down his temple. That voice. That timing. A dreadful familiarity crawled up his spine.
Selene leaned forward. "Dad? What's wrong? You look pale."
Ethan's throat constricted. His lips trembled as he forced out the words:
"Mi– Milan… Ever… Everhart…?"
Milan rose from his chair, his expression unreadable. He took the phone gently from Selene's hand, leaving her stunned.
"Yes," he said evenly. "Milan Everhart. Long time no see, Mr. Ethan."