Chapter 246: Meeting
He walked up to Mia holding a glass of warm milk and handed it to her.
Mia reached out to take it, smiling as she thanked him, "Thank you."
Uri's gaze fell on Mia's face.
She indeed no longer politely told him like she did at first that he didn't need to trouble himself making her milk every night, that she would go downstairs and make it herself before bed.
She had gone along with his insistence and accepted his care.
But she still hadn't opened her heart to accept him.
Even though they were in a relationship and already had Fox, the fruit of their love.
She still couldn't accept even slightly more intimate behavior with him.
She always treated him like a brother. It wasn't that he couldn't take Mia by force, disregarding her feelings and claiming her as his own.
But—
He couldn't bear to force her, nor could he bear to hurt her.
He could hurt anyone, but not her.
He could only patiently wait.
Time could nurture feelings.
Besides, Mia had been attracted to him from the very beginning.
It was James who had stolen the heart that should have been his.
Now, James was gone.
One day, Mia would see his true feelings and accept him both physically and emotionally.
He could have continued waiting patiently.
But the day after tomorrow, she was actually going back to Imperial City.
Imperial City, the place where James was.
Uri's eyes darkened like someone had poured thick ink into them, gloomy and unfathomable.
Mia, drinking her milk with her head down, didn't notice Uri's emotional shift beside her.
She gulped down the milk she didn't really like, handed the glass to Uri, "Uri, good night."
A good night that was also an indirect way of asking him to leave.
Being alone with him in a room at night, just the two of them, actually made her feel awkward inside.
This was their nightly routine.
He brought her milk, waited for her to finish, then left.
At first she had refused this kind of care that treated her like a child, but Uri's words—"I'm your boyfriend and your child's father, isn't it right for me to take care of you?"—left her unable to argue.
But tonight, Uri didn't take the glass she held out. Instead, he grabbed her wrist.
With a gentle pull, Mia was drawn up by his force.
She fell into his arms.
Uri tightened his arms, holding her tightly in his embrace.
"Uri."
Mia was startled.
Her body instinctively resisted.
She raised her hands to push him away.
Uri sensed her resistance but didn't let go. Instead, he held her tighter, with a force that seemed to want to meld her into his body.
He had clearly lost control from suppressing himself for too long. Holding her, he called her name over and over in her ear.
"Mia—"
His voice was both painful and sad.
Carrying unspeakable sorrow.
Again and again.
It made Mia's nose sting.
Her struggling movements slowly stopped, her heart filled with sympathy and guilt.
This man who had been protecting her since she was fifteen, who had been devoted for ten years without complaint or regret, never changing his feelings.
But what he wanted, she couldn't give him right now.
Though Mia stopped struggling, her body in his embrace was stiff.
A silent rejection.
Uri noticed, and his arms holding her visibly tightened.
Mia's body tensed even more.
She even began to tremble slightly, beyond her control.
Fear and panic mixed together in her heart.
She worried—if he went further, what would she do?
The glass in her hand slipped from her grip due to the tension and shattered on the floor.
Uri seemed to suddenly come to his senses. He hurriedly released Mia and looked at her standing before him, completely at a loss.
Pale-faced, lips trembling, struggling internally.
He immediately stepped back, creating a safe distance to let her relax.
He apologized with concern, "Mia, I'm sorry."
"Did I scare you just now?"
Uri raised his hand wanting to comfort her by touching her face, but as if afraid she would reject it, his raised hand paused in mid-air and slowly withdrew.
"No."
Mia shook her head gently.
She felt bad too.
Her heart was full of conflicting struggles.
Clearly she was the one in the wrong. Uri had always been considerate of her, always accommodating her.
She knew she was wrong, but she couldn't help it.
Her psychological inability to accept it—she couldn't control it, couldn't fake it.
Whenever he made any intimate move, her body would instinctively reject it before her brain could react.
"Uri, I'm sorry..."
Before she could finish apologizing, Uri interrupted, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed you."
Uri saying this made Mia feel even more guilty.
"Alright, don't work too late. Get some sleep early, okay?"
"Okay."
Uri thoughtfully changed the subject, and Mia nodded gently.
"Don't move, let me clean this up."
Uri gestured for Mia to sit back in her chair while he crouched down to pick up the broken pieces.
After cleaning up, he stood and said to Mia, "By the way, Mia, I'll book the tickets for the day after tomorrow. I'll go back to Imperial City with you."
Mia froze.
She looked at Uri helplessly and declined politely, "Uri, you don't need to specially accompany me. I can manage on my own."
She wasn't a child.
But he always treated her like one.
"I happen to need to go back to Imperial City too. Next week is my father's sixtieth birthday."
"It's settled then. Don't work too late, remember to sleep early."
After Uri finished speaking, he didn't linger in her room. Carrying the bag with the broken pieces, he walked toward the door.
His steps were unhurried. Just as he reached the door, Mia called out, "Uri—"
"What is it?"
Uri turned around, his gaze gentle and full of affection as he looked at Mia.
Meeting his eyes, Mia thought about what had just happened and all the moments they'd shared together.
His silent dedication to her, his unwavering devotion and waiting.
In the end, she took the initiative and spoke the words that had been hovering uncertainly on her lips.
"Can Fox and I come with you to celebrate Mr. Smith's birthday?"
"Really?"
Uri's eyes clearly brightened, his excitement evident.
But it was only for a moment before he suppressed his inner excitement.
He looked at Mia gently and said softly, "Mia, I can handle it myself. Being with me, you don't need to force yourself to do anything you don't want to do."
Including meeting his parents.
Including letting Fox be acknowledged by his family.
As long as she was unwilling, he would shield her from the wind and rain, bearing all external pressure.
As long as she was happy.
She didn't need to worry about anything else.
Mia understood.
Because she understood, her guilt only deepened.
Uri was really good to her.
He considered her in everything, always putting her feelings first.
When she first spoke those words, she had some regret in her heart.
Now, it was gone.
They had been together for so long, and he had always been the one giving.
Some things she truly couldn't do.
At least not right now.
But the things she could do, she should try to do for him.
"Uri, I don't feel forced. I mean it."
Uri looked at the smile on her face, his eyes crinkling with joy spreading across his brow. He smiled softly, "Okay."
They agreed, and Uri opened the door to leave.
Before closing the door, the joy on his handsome face couldn't be hidden, his voice full of laughter as he said to Mia, "Mia, I'm really happy."
The door closed.
Inside, Mia's feelings were complicated.
Fox was almost three years old, and she hadn't taken him back to Imperial City to meet his parents, to let his grandparents see their grandson.
This was something she should have done.
He was so happy with just this small response from her.
That's why she felt even more guilty.
Outside the door, as soon as it closed, the smile on Uri's lips instantly disappeared.
Mia's return to Imperial City was set in stone, unchangeable.
Rather than worry about her running into James at some other occasion and something going wrong, it was better to take drastic measures.
Attack directly and completely cut off James's path.
...
After Uri left, Mia adjusted her mood and started working.
It wasn't until eleven-thirty that there was another knock on the door.
"Mia."
Orla's voice sounded outside the door.
"Come in."
Mia turned to look at Orla standing in the doorway.
"You should sleep."
Mia looked healthy now, but giving birth to Fox had damaged her body, and her constitution was very weak.
Orla, as her family doctor, was responsible for her physical condition.
She watched her very closely.
All to help restore her health.
"I can't sleep."
She should have been asleep by ten-thirty.
But tonight, she was having trouble falling asleep.
She had tossed and turned after lying down, so she got up to continue working.
"What's wrong?"
Orla asked gently.
Mia held nothing back from Orla.
She trusted her deeply.
This woman who had pulled her back from hell several times and had been caring for Fox like her own child all these years.
"I don't know either."
Mia frowned slightly.
"Should I get you some medicine?"
Orla asked.
"Okay."
It had been a long time since Mia needed medicine to fall asleep.
Orla left the room and quickly returned, handing the medicine to Mia.
She took it, swallowed it, lifted the covers and lay down.
"Close your eyes."
Her voice became even gentler, and Mia closed her eyes.
She helped her massage and relax. Soon, drowsiness came.
But her brow remained tightly furrowed.
Orla didn't leave immediately, standing by her bed for a long time.
When she turned to leave, Mia's brow had already relaxed, sleeping deeply and soundly.
It was past midnight when she left Mia's room. She went up to the third floor, back to her own room.
As soon as she turned the doorknob, she sensed something unusual.
There was someone in the room.
The bedroom curtains were drawn and the lights were off, making it impossible to see, but she still sensed it immediately.
He was here.
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
Locked it.
...
Two days later, at eight in the morning, before leaving.
Mia was holding Fox's hand when she glanced back at Orla, whose walking posture seemed a bit off. She asked with concern, "Orla, are you okay?"
"If you're not feeling well, you don't need to come with us to Imperial City. I'll handle the branch office matters as quickly as possible. Don't worry about me."
"I'm fine."
Orla smiled, "I just bumped my thigh on the bedpost."
As she spoke, her gait had already returned to normal.
Seeing she was okay, Mia felt relieved.
She was used to having Orla by her side.
So was Fox.
They couldn't do without Orla.
The group headed to the airport.
After a flight of over ten hours, the plane landed at Imperial City airport.
Uri took them directly to a hotel. Mia was visibly relieved.
She had been quite worried that Uri would take them home.
She wasn't mentally prepared for that at all.
At the hotel, they had dinner.
Everyone was a bit tired. Fox had no jet lag issues and fell asleep quickly when he was tired.
She had some red wine.
The next day, Mia arrived at the branch office right at nine o'clock.
Starting at nine-thirty, she held three consecutive meetings.
Until noon at twelve, she had lunch with the branch office executives in the conference room.
After eating, meetings continued in the afternoon.
Actually, the branch office's problems weren't that serious. She had noticed this when reviewing the branch office materials at home.
This kind of crisis didn't require her to come back and handle it personally.
The branch office could handle it themselves. There was no need to send someone from headquarters.
But since Blair had asked her to come back, and she had absolute trust in Blair, even though she was puzzled, she didn't ask many questions.
Whatever Blair assigned her, she was determined to complete it perfectly.
Time flew by when she was busy.
During the day, Orla helped her take care of Fox, which put her mind at ease.
In the evenings, she would go home to spend time with Fox and walk around the neighborhood.
In a flash, it was the day before Victor's birthday.
Mia had originally set aside this day to personally go out and choose a gift for Victor.
She called Uri to ask about Victor's preferences, but Uri had already prepared the gift in advance.
He also had the clothes she and Fox would wear that day ready.
...
Nine years ago, Victor fell ill and Uri had a car accident. James took over the Smith Group.
Clea got her wish to stay by Victor's side and take care of him.
For the past few years, he had been bedridden.
Only in the last two years had he shown some improvement.
Taking advantage of his sixtieth birthday, Clea suggested throwing a big celebration.
This suggestion was very much to Victor's liking.
The birthday banquet was arranged at the Smith Villa.
Organized entirely by Clea.
For these nine years, although she wasn't Victor's legitimate wife, because her son was James, who controlled Imperial City's economic lifeline, she was respected wherever she went.
The party officially started at ten o'clock. At nine, Lavinia arrived early at the Smith Villa with James.
After getting out of the car, Lavinia reached out to take James's arm.
Before her hand could touch him, he avoided it.
Lavinia's smile froze. She looked at James and called out softly with grievance, "James."
"Let's go in."
James glanced at Lavinia indifferently, turning a blind eye to her hurt feelings.
It wasn't that he didn't know what she wanted.
But he couldn't give it to her.
His heart had died the moment Mia died, buried with her.
"Lavinia."
Louis parked the car and saw this scene from inside. He pushed open the car door and got out.
"Louis."
Hearing Louis's voice, Lavinia turned her head, her eyes reddening.
Full of grievance.
Louis looked at James, whose expression was growing increasingly cold and distant. He walked over and greeted James, "James."
Directly ignoring the signals Lavinia was sending him.
This was the path she chose to persist on.
He couldn't help her.
Lavinia was very frustrated.
Her hands clenched tightly.
"Lavinia, you're here."
The birthday banquet was about to officially begin. Clea was supervising the servants doing final checks.
Seeing Lavinia, she immediately called out with a smile.
Lavinia was sweet-tongued and came from a prominent family, which pleased Clea greatly.
"Mrs. Smith."
Lavinia went forward and took Clea's arm. "You look so beautiful today. People who don't know might think we're sisters."
"That sweet mouth of yours. Come, accompany me to call Victor downstairs."
Clea's eyes crinkled with laughter. The party was about to start. Half an hour early, people would start arriving.
They didn't really need to greet them, but this was her first time officially standing by Victor's side.
She wouldn't miss this opportunity to assert her position.
This was what she had sought for years.
"Okay."
The two walked inside arm in arm like mother and daughter.
James and Louis followed behind them.
Before they even entered, the atmosphere froze.
Lavinia saw Victor walking out from inside and greeted him, "Mr. Smith."
Her gaze then turned to Beatrix beside Victor. She froze for a few seconds before calling out, "Mrs. Smith."
With that one form of address, Clea's expression clearly turned cold.
The smile on her lips didn't change, but her eyes looking at Beatrix seemed like they could devour someone.
This bitch actually dared to come out today.
In front of Victor, Clea didn't dare be too presumptuous.
Even though she now had the say at the Smith Villa, she still wasn't legitimate.
Beatrix ignored Clea's glare, her smile serene and gentle, looking completely above worldly conflicts.
"Victor, the party is about to start. We should go in."
"Alright."
Victor responded. As he passed Clea, he called out, "Clea."
Using his eyes to signal her to follow.
"Victor."
Clea smiled at him, falling two steps behind, following the two of them.
As she passed James, she shot him a harsh look.
Blaming him for not speaking up.
James turned a blind eye, completely indifferent to these disputes.
Louis glanced at James. He didn't know what James cared about anymore.
The group entered the banquet hall. Imperial City's prominent figures arrived one after another.
Soon, everyone had arrived.
Clea watched Beatrix holding Victor's arm.
While she looked like a joke.
She suddenly smiled. If you want to fight with me, forget about it in this lifetime.
She took Lavinia's hand and said to Victor, "Victor, today is your special day. Why not make it a double celebration? Since everyone is here today, let's settle James and Lavinia's matter."
The marriage between the two had long been tacitly agreed upon by both families.
All that was missing was a formal occasion to announce it.
The Cox Family only had Lavinia as their precious daughter. She didn't want anyone else but James.
Lavinia's mother knew Lavinia had liked James for years. Now that her wish was coming true, she naturally wanted to go along with Lavinia's wishes.
Lavinia's parents naturally had no objections.
A strong alliance. Victor naturally had no objections either.
He nodded in agreement, "Good."
His expression full of satisfaction.
James's lips moved, but in the end, he didn't object.
Clea glanced at Beatrix.
Beatrix's smile remained calm as she added, "Today really is a good day. Not just a double celebration, but a triple celebration."
"Triple?"
Victor looked at her.
"Yes, Uri will come back today to celebrate your birthday."
"What a big surprise."
Clea laughed lightly.
Her eyes were saying—a useless person coming back, what's there to celebrate?
Beatrix wasn't bothered and continued, "He's not coming back alone today. He's bringing his fiancée and his son."
"Uri has a son? I'm going to be a grandfather?"
"Yes, Victor, our grandson is almost three years old. Look, here they come."
As she spoke, there was a commotion at the entrance to the banquet hall.
Uri, who had once been the high-spirited pride of Imperial City, a golden boy who was adored wherever he went from childhood, had his life completely changed by an "accident."
Uri suddenly appeared in a high-profile manner, tall and straight, glowing with health.
There was no sign of the rumored physical deterioration or inability to get out of bed.
The crowd parted on both sides, allowing those at the very center to see the entrance.
Uri walked in under everyone's gaze, holding Fox in one arm and Mia's hand in the other.