Chapter 315: If fate ever lets us meet again...!!

The private dining room was quiet.

Sometime during their conversation, a member of the staff had entered and lit a few scented candles.

Their soft golden glow danced across the walls.

The warm fragrance of vanilla and jasmine filled the air.

Outside, The Atelier continued its evening service.

Inside, however, it felt like time had stopped.

Miles sat across from Chloe.

Neither of them seemed interested in the food yet.

Their eyes remained fixed on each other.

For years they had imagined this moment.

Now that it had finally arrived, neither wanted to waste a second of it.

Chloe smiled softly.

There was happiness in her eyes.

A happiness Miles had not seen in a very long time.

"I am so happy today."

Her voice became quieter.

"I wish Dad was here too."

Miles immediately noticed the sadness hidden beneath her smile.

The longing.

The loss.

The pain that never truly disappeared.

But Chloe simply smiled again.

A little brighter this time.

"But he is definitely happy."

"There."

She glanced upward briefly.

"Watching me."

"Watching Mom."

"Watching all of this."

Miles lowered his gaze.

A heavy feeling settled inside his chest.

"It was my fault."

Chloe immediately looked up.

Miles continued quietly.

"I was supposed to take both of you away."

"I was supposed to protect your family."

His fingers tightened slightly.

"But I failed."

"It remains my biggest failure."

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then Chloe shook her head.

"No."

"Nothing is your fault."

Miles looked at her.

She held his gaze firmly.

"You were there to protect Dad."

"You protected me from dangers I didn’t even know existed."

Her voice became softer.

"My dad made his own choices."

"He chose the wrong side."

Miles remained silent.

Chloe continued.

"I knew."

"He had cancer for a long time."

That revelation surprised Miles.

His expression shifted slightly.

She looked down at the table.

"Maybe that was one of the reasons he started distancing himself from me."

"Maybe he knew he didn’t have much time left."

She smiled sadly.

"And even if you had taken us away..."

"We would only have become a burden to you."

Miles immediately shook his head.

"You could never be a burden."

The response came so quickly that Chloe’s heart trembled.

She smiled softly.

"Grandpa told me everything."

"About you."

"About your life."

"About your responsibilities."

"About how important your role was in things beyond my understanding."

Her eyes slowly became wet again.

"After learning the truth..."

"I regretted everything."

Miles remained quiet.

Listening.

Just listening.

The way he always had.

"I said so many terrible things to you that day."

"I accused you of murder."

"I accused you of betrayal."

Her voice cracked.

"And you listened."

"You never defended yourself."

"You never tried to explain."

"You simply accepted it."

Tears gathered in her eyes.

"Even though you were innocent."

Miles lowered his gaze.

The memories still hurt.

Even after all these years.

Chloe continued.

"You protected Grandpa."

"You hid the truth."

"So I wouldn’t lose the only family I had left."

A tear rolled down her cheek but then she smiled.

"You played the role of a Superhero until the very end."

The room became quiet again.

Finally Miles spoke.

"So..."

"He told you the truth."

Chloe nodded.

"Yes."

A small smile appeared on her face again.

"Believe me."

"I really needed to hear it."

Miles studied her for a moment.

Then asked softly.

"Do you hate him?"

Chloe looked toward the candlelight.

Her expression became thoughtful.

"I don’t know."

The answer came honestly.

"He was a patriot."

"He truly loved the country."

"He can do anything to protect it"

She paused.

"So was Dad."

"For most of his life."

"And Mom too."

Her eyes became distant.

"She died doing her duty."

"Because of someone’s greed."

A shadow crossed her face.

"The people responsible got away unpunished."

"Maybe that’s why Dad stopped believing."

"Maybe that’s why he lost faith."

Without thinking, Miles reached across the table.

He gently held her hands.

The warmth of his touch immediately calmed her.

Their fingers intertwined naturally.

As though they had never been apart.

Miles looked directly into her eyes.

"None of the people responsible for your mother’s death escaped punishment."

Chloe froze.

"What?"

Her voice was barely audible.

Miles continued.

"I made sure of that."

The words stunned her.

For several seconds she simply stared at him.

Trying to process what he had just said.

Something inside her suddenly felt lighter.

A burden she had unknowingly carried for years.

Gone.

She did not ask for details.

Perhaps she already knew she would never get them.

Or perhaps she simply trusted him.

Instead, she smiled.

A genuine smile.

"Thank you."

Miles smiled back.

Neither needed to say anything else.

The silence that followed felt comfortable.

Peaceful.

They simply sat there holding hands.

Looking at each other.

The years between them gradually disappearing.

Slowly.

Almost unconsciously.

They leaned closer.

Neither noticed.

Neither realized.

Their eyes remained locked.

Their breathing became slightly uneven.

The distance between them shrank.

A little more.

Then a little more.

Chloe’s heart pounded loudly.

She could hear it.

Feel it.

Her eyes slowly closed.

Her breaths became shorter.

The room seemed completely silent.

Only their heartbeats remained.

Then...

Knock.

Knock.

The sound instantly shattered the moment.

Both of them jumped slightly.

Chloe immediately opened her eyes.

Miles straightened in his chair.

Their faces turned red at the same time.

Neither dared to look directly at the other.

The door opened.

Several staff members entered carrying food.

Beautiful dishes were carefully arranged on the table.

The staff quietly finished their work.

Then left again.

Leaving behind two very embarrassed people.

After a while, Miles picked up a spoon.

Trying desperately to act normal.

"So..."

"You work in the city now?"

Chloe smiled.

She immediately understood what he was trying to do.

"You remember Lissy?"

Miles blinked.

"The one from earlier?"

"Yes."

She nodded.

"You probably forgot her."

"You only met her once."

"Back then."

A warm smile appeared on her face.

"When I was completely lost..."

"She was there."

"She helped me."

"We became close."

"Very close."

"My best friend."

Miles listened carefully.

"We eventually started a company together."

"Tulip Corp."

Pride appeared in her eyes.

"Even though we are partners..."

"She leads the company."

"I mostly work as a designer."

Her smile widened.

"That’s what I always wanted to do."

"Design."

"Create."

"Draw."

The happiness in her voice was unmistakable.

Miles suddenly realized something.

The pieces connected together.

The airport.

Alice.

Tulip Corp.

Monica’s mysterious meeting.

The important person he was supposed to meet.

Hope and Asher visiting the animation department.

Everything.

All this time.

Monica had known.

She had hidden everything from him.

A helpless smile appeared on his face.

So that was why Monica wanted him to pick someone up at the airport.

It was Chloe.

The realization made him shake his head.

That woman really knew how to keep secrets.

Miles looked back at Chloe.

His eyes softened.

And this time the smile on his face carried no sadness.

Only pride.

Only happiness.

"I am happy for you."

Chloe looked at him quietly.

Miles continued.

"Really happy."

"You finally got to do what you always dreamed about."

"And honestly..."

He smiled.

"I always knew you would be amazing at it."

Chloe smiled softly.

The candlelight reflected in her eyes.

"So..."

"Do you live here now?"

"Or are you still on missions?"

She tilted her head slightly.

"Protecting someone in this city too?"

Miles laughed quietly.

"I live here."

He looked around the private dining room.

Then smiled.

"This is my hometown."

"I retired from that life."

Chloe blinked.

"Really?"

There was genuine surprise in her voice.

For years she had imagined him constantly moving from place to place.

Always chasing danger.

Always disappearing.

Always belonging somewhere she could never reach.

Miles nodded.

"I found my family here."

A warm smile appeared on his face.

"And now..."

"I only protect them."

Chloe stared at him.

The happiness in his eyes was real.

Different.

Calmer.

For the first time she realized that the restless boy she once knew had finally found somewhere he belonged.

A place to call home.

Her eyes softened.

"I am happy."

Miles looked at her.

"Happy?"

She nodded.

"That I won’t be dragging you back anymore."

Miles immediately sighed.

Then shook his head.

"You never dragged me back."

His voice was firm.

"Not once."

Chloe looked away.

But Miles continued.

"You always pushed me forward."

"You believed in me."

"You cared about me."

"I would never think of you as a burden."

For a moment neither spoke.

Then Chloe smiled.

The kind of smile she used to have years ago.

The smile Miles had missed countless times.

"So."

She pointed toward the restaurant.

"Did you become a musician?"

Miles looked confused.

"Huh?"

"A musician?"

Then realization struck him.

"Oh."

"That."

He laughed.

"I can play the piano."

Chloe rested her chin on her hand.

"You were playing beautifully."

Miles looked slightly embarrassed.

"Well..."

"Thanks."

The compliment somehow felt more dangerous than fighting armed terrorists.

Chloe giggled.

For the next few moments they simply talked.

About everything.

About nothing.

The years apart slowly melted away.

Stories.

Memories.

Funny moments.

Dreams.

Both of them listened more than they spoke.

Trying to make up for all the lost time.

Eventually the plates became empty.

The dinner was finished.

Neither wanted the evening to end.

Neither knew how to say it.

Then Chloe suddenly asked.

"So..."

Miles looked up.

"Will you take me to meet your family?"

Miles nearly choked.

"That..."

His confidence vanished instantly.

"Umm..."

Chloe narrowed her eyes.

"Can I not?"

Miles opened his mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

Nothing came out.

Then...

Knock.

Knock.

The door opened.

Both of them turned.

Elena entered.

A staff member followed behind carrying a tray filled with desserts.

"I am sorry if I disturbed you two."

Elena smiled warmly.

"I brought desserts."

The moment Miles saw the tray his eyes lit up.

"Butterscotch ice cream."

"I can’t wait."

Even Chloe looked surprised.

The excitement on his face resembled that of a child discovering treasure.

She stared at him.

Then shook her head.

"Hmm."

"You shouldn’t behave like a kid."

"It’s disrespectful."

Then she immediately looked at Elena.

"I am sorry, Mrs. Kellar."

Elena burst into laughter.

"What’s wrong with it?"

She placed the desserts on the table.

"You two are still children for me."

Then she walked closer.

Just like before.

Her hand gently touched Chloe’s cheek.

The same warmth.

The same comforting feeling.

The same motherly affection.

Chloe unconsciously leaned into it.

For a brief moment she felt like a little girl again.

Safe.

Protected.

Loved.

Elena smiled lovingly.

"And I am so happy to find such a beautiful daughter."

Chloe froze.

Completely.

Then Elena turned toward Miles.

"And son."

"I am very happy for you."

Her smile became playful.

"But I am also sad."

Miles immediately became suspicious.

"Why?"

Elena folded her arms.

"You hid her from me all this time."

Miles looked away.

That reaction alone was enough to confirm everything.

Then suddenly Elena reached forward.

Grabbed his ear.

And pulled.

Miles immediately surrendered.

"Mom!"

"You called your mother Mrs. Kellar."

Elena continued pulling.

"You deserve punishment."

"A lot of punishment."

Miles winced dramatically.

"Mom..."

"No."

Elena shook her head.

"You won’t get any ice cream."

Chloe stared at them.

Then at Elena.

Then at Miles.

Her eyes widened.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Her mind finally connected the pieces.

The restaurant.

Mrs. Kellar.

Miles.

The family.

The business partner.

Everything.

Her voice trembled.

"Your son...?"

She slowly looked toward Elena.

Then toward Miles.

Then back again.

"You mean..."

Miles smiled.

Then walked around the table.

He stopped beside Chloe.

She slowly stood.

Still looking completely stunned.

Miles followed her gaze.

Then looked directly into her eyes.

A smile appeared on his face.

The same smile she remembered from years ago.

The same smile that had stolen her heart.

"Like I told you once."

His voice was gentle.

"If fate ever lets us meet again..."

"I will tell you my name."

Chloe’s heartbeat instantly accelerated.

Miles extended his hand.

Then gave her a playful wink.

"My name is Miles Sterling."

A small grin appeared on his face.

Then he pointed toward himself dramatically.

"Miles Sterling."

"The musician."

For a moment Chloe simply stared.

Silent.

Frozen.

Processing everything.

Then suddenly her face turned completely red.