From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 713: A Loser’s Awakening (part one)

Micah’s taxi rolled to a slow stop in front of the McKay residence just as the late afternoon sunlight began to mellow into a softer gold. The neighbourhood was quiet and spacious, lined with tall trees whose branches were already heavy with fresh spring leaves. A gentle breeze moved through them, carrying the faint scent of earth and blossoms.

The McKay house itself stood solid and respectable among the other homes on the street. It was a large two-story house with pale stone walls and wide windows that reflected the sky. The front yard was neatly kept, though the flowerbeds looked slightly neglected, as if their owner had not paid much attention to them lately.

Micah had barely arrived when his phone began vibrating in his pocket. He didn’t need to check the caller ID to guess who it was. A long sigh escaped him.

He answered the call and lifted the phone to his ear as he got out of the taxi. "Yes?"

There was a short pause on the other end before Clyde’s voice came through the speaker. "Why are you there?"

The voice sounded calm on the surface, but the restraint in his tone was obvious. It carried the unmistakable tension of someone who was trying very hard not to sound angry.

Micah stood near the pavement and let out a quiet laugh. "Wow," he said lazily. "I thought you wouldn’t blow your cover over something this small."

He lifted his head slightly and looked toward the taxi as it drove away. "You know," he continued casually, "you’ve crossed the line from protectiveness into full-blown stalking at this point."

There was another short silence. Clyde didn’t deny it. "Micah," he said slowly, his voice more serious now. "Be honest with me."

Micah’s amusement faded slightly.

"Why are you seeking them out?" Clyde asked. His voice lowered. "And don’t give me that excuse about money. You don’t need him for that."

Micah didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned his head and looked at the road. The wind rustled softly through the trees lining the street. A few petals from the flowering shrubs drifted lazily across the yard before settling on the grass.

For a moment, Micah simply watched them. Then he spoke quietly. "I wasn’t their only victim." The words were soft, nearly lost in the quiet afternoon air.

On the other end of the call, Clyde exhaled slowly. "Making them apologise won’t change anything," Clyde said.

Micah gave a faint smile, though Clyde couldn’t see it. "I know that," he replied.

His fingers twitched lightly at his side as he continued. "That was before I realised they remembered," he said. "Before I knew they were fully aware of what they did." His voice sharpened slightly. "Now they’re wrongdoers in my eyes." His gaze returned to the house. "They should at least try to take responsibility, making amends at least."

Clyde was silent for several seconds. Then he spoke again. "But you’re giving them hope."

Micah shook his head. "No," he said calmly. "I’m not." He shifted slightly. "After they tried approaching me and everything turned into disaster, I think they understood something very clearly." His lips curved faintly. "That any attempt to force their way into my life would only hurt me."

He let out a slow breath. "These past two months?" he added. "That silence is proof they understood."

Clyde didn’t respond right away. When he finally spoke again, his voice carried a trace of frustration. "Then at least wait until I get there."

Micah immediately cut him off. "No." His tone was firm. "I’m doing this alone."

There was no room for negotiation in his voice. A brief pause followed. Then Micah added quietly, "And don’t tell Darcy about this."

Before Clyde could respond, Micah ended the call.

The screen went dark. Micah stared at the phone for a moment before slipping it back into his pocket. Then he walked up the short stone path leading to the house. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Micah reached the front door and pressed the doorbell. The chime echoed faintly inside the house. Barely a second passed before the door swung open.

Luca stood there, breathing slightly hard as if he had rushed to answer it. The moment he saw Micah, his eyes lit up. "Oh! You’re here!" He stepped aside quickly. "Come in, come in!"

Micah walked through the doorway. And then he froze.

Inside the living room, nearly a dozen pairs of eyes turned toward him at the same time. Micah stopped mid-step. For a brief moment, his mind went completely blank. Then he slowly removed his cap and mask. His expression shifted into a polite smile.

"Hello," he said calmly. His gaze moved across the room as he greeted them. "Aunty. Uncle. Sergeant McKay. Major Grant."

Outwardly, he looked perfectly composed. Inside, however...Micah was screaming. He was mentally grabbing Luca by the collar and shaking him violently. What the hell was this?! Why was Leo’s entire family standing here like some kind of welcoming committee?! Did Luca think the emperor himself was visiting?!

Leo’s father, David McKay, stepped forward first. He extended his hand warmly. "Welcome, young man," he said kindly. "You don’t have to be so formal. We’re grateful you took the time to visit."

Micah shook his hand politely. His smile remained perfectly polite. "Of course."

"I’ve wanted to thank you ever since we learned you saved our son, but the situation didn’t allow it. It’s really remarkable. Really. It takes courage for someone so young to step forward like that."

Micah’s smile turned stiff as he shook his head. "Uncle, you flatter me, it was nothing big. Everyone would do the same thing in that situation."

"Don’t be modest. Our family really appreciates everything you’ve done for Leo."

Before the conversation could continue, Leo’s mother suddenly spoke. "David, stop bothering the poor boy." She waved her hand dismissively. "He didn’t come here to see us." Then she turned toward Micah and smiled gently. "Don’t mind us," she said. "Just go do what you came for."

David frowned immediately. "What do you mean by ’don’t mind us’? He’s a guest..."

"You’re making him uncomfortable!"

"I’m not!"

"Yes, you are!"

The couple immediately began arguing.

Micah stood there awkwardly while the debate unfolded in front of him. His gaze drifted toward Seth.

Seth looked exactly the same as always, calm, composed, and slightly amused by the situation. Micah studied him quietly. It seemed that the mission had ended successfully. So the past had changed for him too. Which meant the man standing beside him...

Micah’s eyes shifted toward the cold-faced man near Seth. William Grant.

In the original timeline, William would eventually die in a foreign land while chasing revenge. But that future had already been erased. Micah turned his gaze back to Seth. For a brief moment, something complicated flashed through his eyes. Seth’s fate across those timelines had been nothing short of tragic. He had died again and again. Each ending more bitter than the last.

Micah sighed inwardly. At that moment, William suddenly looked toward him.

Their eyes met. Micah immediately smiled politely. A harmless, friendly smile.

Inside, however, his skin prickled with goosebumps. Easy there, man, he thought silently. No one’s trying to steal your wife.

Seth finally stepped forward with a helpless sigh. "Alright, that’s enough," he said gently, placing himself between his parents.

The argument immediately quieted. Then Seth turned toward Micah. "Long time no see, Cadet Ramsy," he said with a teasing smile.

Micah’s expression softened. "Good to see you too, Instructor."

Seth nodded. "Come on," he said. "I’ll take you to Leo’s room."

He turned and began walking down the hallway. Micah followed behind him. But as he walked, he could still feel someone’s gaze fixed on his back. He didn’t need to look to know who it was. Major William, Please! Micah resisted the urge to sigh.

Seriously... if that man got jealous just from a glance, how did he survive Seth going on military missions? Those missions involved dozens of soldiers. A bunch of reckless, overly energetic men who spent weeks living together in close quarters. Micah’s lips twitched. Poor Seth.

Then he remembered Clyde. His expression instantly flattened. Never mind. He had no right to feel sorry for anyone.

Seth stopped in front of a closed door and knocked. "Leo," he called. "Open up. You have a guest."

No response. He knocked again. Still nothing. The door remained shut.

Micah sighed quietly. He gestured for Seth to leave.

Seth hesitated, glancing at the door with concern. But after a moment, he nodded and walked away. Once the hallway was empty, Micah reached for the doorknob. He turned it but it was locked. Not surprising. Micah leaned his shoulder casually against the door.

"Hey," he called out lazily. "Won’t you open the door for me too?"

For a few seconds, there was no response. Then suddenly...A loud rattling noise came from inside.

Footsteps. Something bumped against the door. And then the door was yanked open.

Leo stood in the doorway. He looked terrible. His breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling rapidly as if he had rushed across the room. His eyes were bloodshot. Dark circles hung heavily beneath them. His usually neat dark hair was messy and uncombed. A rough stubble had grown across his jaw. For a moment, the two of them simply stared at each other. Then Leo’s lips trembled. "Micah..."