Chapter 170: 170 Our Turn

Nathan：POV

After Mia's birthday celebration, our relationship settled into a comfortable rhythm as New York summer crept in with its familiar warmth.

I rolled down the windows of my Audi, letting the sticky air flow through as I drove toward Mia's dorm. My mind wandered to the first time I'd met her—not as an adult, but as Jennifer's little girl with pigtails and a gap-toothed grin.

Life had a twisted sense of humor, transforming that child into the woman who now owned my heart. When exactly had she stopped being "Mia the kid" and become my lovely girl?

I remembered her confession that night on my balcony, the raw courage it took for her to lay her feelings bare. I'd been stunned, almost cruel in my dismissal. "She's confusing gratitude for love," I'd told myself, creating distance to protect us both. What an ass I'd been.

The truth was messier: I'd been terrified. When I started noticing how her laugh made my chest tight, or caught myself thinking about her smile at random moments, the guilt nearly crushed me.

But Mia never backed down. Her stubbornness, her refusal to let me push her away—it broke me down piece by piece. Everything changed during my illness, when she sang "I really love you" at my bedside, her voice shaking but fierce. That's when I stopped running from what we both knew.

I pulled into the parking lot, checking my phone. Richard's text was brief: "Plan in motion. All set."

---

The seaside restaurant was classy without being pretentious—exactly what I'd wanted for our lunch. We were halfway through our meal when I saw Mia's expression shift, her gaze fixed on something behind me.

"Well, isn't this interesting."

Celeste's voice hit me like nails on a chalkboard.

"Nathan," she said, placing a perfectly manicured hand on our table. "And... Mia, right? Jennifer's daughter?" The way she said 'daughter' was like a slap.

"Celeste," I replied, watching Mia's shoulders tense. "Enjoying lunch?"

"Not as much as you seem to be." Her eyes cut to Mia with barely concealed venom. "I was just telling the girls how fascinating certain... relationships can be in our social circle."

"Always observant, Celeste." I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. "Let's talk. Privately."

I guided her toward the bar. Once we were out of Mia's hearing range, I dropped the act.

"Here's how this works," I said, keeping my voice low and level. "Larson Media gets about forty percent of its quarterly revenue from Sinclair-affiliated companies. I personally oversee those contracts."

Her smug expression wavered.

"Our legal team also has a harassment suit drafted and ready to file the second you step out of line." I kept my tone conversational. "And trust me, you're dancing right on that line."

"You're actually threatening me over her?"

"I'm explaining consequences for actions you're contemplating." I held her gaze. "Let sleeping dogs lie, Celeste. I've found something real. I hope you find the same."

I walked back to our table, catching Mia's worried look.

"Everything okay?" she asked, her fingers finding mine.

"Better than okay," I said, squeezing her hand. "I just realized something—protecting you isn't just what I should do. It's what I want to do."

---

Coney Island buzzed around us as we walked hand in hand through the amusement park. At the shooting gallery, I showed off skills that had once made me competitive, winning an oversized stuffed panda.

"Showing off your special ability?" Mia teased, hugging the prize. "When are you going to tell me about your mysterious past?"

"Why don't you guess?" I said, taking her hand.

While Mia was distracted by a cotton candy vendor, I caught fragments of her phone conversation.

"Yes, Mom, today's the day... Everything's ready..." Her voice mixed excitement with nerves.

I pretended not to hear, but my heart started beating faster. Richard's text buzzed: [Everyone is in position.]

Whatever they had orchestrated was happening today.

---

I came back from buying ice cream to find Mia gone. Panic flared before my phone lit up with Camellia's message: [Don't worry, everything's under control.]

Scanning the crowd, I spotted familiar faces trying to look casual—Victoria speed-walking past while staring at her phone; Robert lingering by a game booth, studiously avoiding eye contact.

"What are you up to, troublemaker?" I muttered, more amused than worried.

Just as I was about to flag down security, Anastasia appeared, smiling and nodding toward the central plaza.

A person in a panda costume—matching the stuffed animal I'd won—waved at me with oversized paws. Curious, I followed as they led me toward the park's center.

There, I found a circle of familiar faces. Richard and Camellia stood with baby Nola. Jennifer watched with tears already forming. Even Cassius and Anastasia were there, alongside Thomas and Leo.

The panda removed its head, revealing Mia's flushed, grinning face. The crowd around us quieted as our family and friends formed a circle.

"Nathan," she began, her voice carrying in the sudden silence. "From day one, we've been breaking rules—age gaps, family drama, social expectations."

My heart started hammering as realization hit.

"You once asked if I was ready to face whatever came our way," she continued, reaching into the costume's pocket. "Today, I want to show you that I am."

She pulled out a small box, and my breath caught.

"I've talked with Jennifer, and I've decided to join Sinclair Design after graduation." She opened the box, revealing a platinum band. "Your mother helped me pick this. She said it matched your style."

Looking at Mia kneeling there, I felt everything hit me at once. Our entire journey flashed through my mind—how I'd fought my feelings, how she'd bulldozed through my defenses, how we'd survived health scares, family drama, and public judgment.

The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd always seen myself as her protector, but her courage and love had saved me in ways I was only now understanding.

"Yes," I said, my voice rougher than intended. "Hell yes."

Her eyes went wide. "Really? You will?"

As she slipped the ring onto my finger, Cassius clapped my shoulder. "Finally did something right, son."

Jennifer pulled Mia into a fierce hug. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart."

Richard grinned. "Looks like I won the bet—she locked you down first."

---

As evening settled, we found ourselves alone on the Ferris wheel, the city sprawling below us. I held her hand, the ring catching the last rays of sunlight.

"Maybe we could do the wedding in Italy," I suggested, "then make New York home base."

"And I'll finish school while working with your design team," she added. "Time to show the world what I can do."

At the top, I turned to her. "You know, when I saw you with that kid back then, jealousy hit me like a truck. I wanted to steal you away. Should've known then that you'd already stolen my heart."

"You once said you wouldn't let me into your world," Mia said, touching my face. "That didn't work out so well for you."

"Best failure of my life," I murmured, kissing her forehead.

As the Ferris wheel turned gently, I watched this fearless woman who had broken every rule to be with me, and finally understood: life's best moments come from the bravest choices. And you, Mia Lawrence, are my bravest choice and my forever.