Chapter 392

Chapter 392

"That's nonsense. How could you possibly be less than her? In my eyes, you're the perfect person to be Michael's wife!" Valeria looked at Victoria with heartfelt sympathy.

She helped Victoria wipe away her tears, coaxing her gently, "Come on now, don't cry. I'll figure out a way to bring you and Michael together."

Victoria sniffled, her voice catching. "Valeria, but Michael only has eyes for Alice right now. If you try to set us up, won't that create tension between you two? I don't want to cause problems in your family relationship. Maybe we should just forget it. You can't force these things. Maybe Michael and I just aren't meant to be together."

Valeria's expression grew serious, her tone resolute. "Victoria, don't worry. When I was young, I was the kind of woman who got things done. I adore Michael precisely because I see my younger self in him. There's no way I'm going to stand by and watch him choose the wrong partner and destroy everything the Miller family has built. As far as I'm concerned, you're the only one suitable for Michael."

Victoria's voice trembled with emotion. "Valeria, thank you for believing in me. Otherwise, I'd keep thinking I'm not good enough compared to Alice, that's why I can't win Michael's heart."

"Impossible. That Alice—what does she have? She's just scheming, knowing to win over Arthur first as a way to get close to Michael."

Victoria felt a twinge of guilt. She'd tried winning over Arthur too, but it hadn't worked at all. Arthur wouldn't warm up to her, which was why she'd barely wanted to come to his birthday party this time.

Valeria continued consoling Victoria, patting her hand. "Trust me, I'll find a way to help you."

Victoria nodded, touched, and leaned against Valeria's shoulder.

……

"Why did you come here?"

I glanced up at Michael, who'd tracked us down to the fast-food restaurant. The place was full of kids. I'd bought Arthur a cake to share with the other children, and they'd all gathered around him, chatting happily together.

But the moment Michael appeared, the brightness in Arthur's face dimmed.

I wasn't accusing Michael of following us—I was genuinely curious.

"I… came to spend Arthur's birthday with him."

Michael's gaze held an unprecedented gentleness as it settled on Arthur. When Arthur first noticed Michael, he'd quietly lowered his head. But hearing Michael say this, he looked up with a hint of surprise. He seemed shocked that Michael would say such a thing—probably assuming Michael had come here looking for me, not him.

The other kids picked up on the strange atmosphere, their eyes darting between Arthur and Michael.

"Arthur, is this your dad?"

One child asked.

Arthur, holding his burger as if he'd lost his appetite, gave a subdued nod.

"Wow, your dad's so handsome! You look like him too. You're gonna be a total heartthrob when you grow up!"

"Yeah, and he's wearing a suit! He looks like a big-shot CEO! Hey, Arthur, why aren't you saying anything?"

Arthur hesitated. "I…"

Michael spoke gently, "Arthur, don't you want to see me?"

Arthur lowered his head and shook it.

"Really?"

Arthur nodded but remained silent.

Michael seemed helpless and at a loss. He was about to speak—"Then I'll go…"

I grabbed Michael's arm and pulled him down into a seat.

Michael's body stiffened for an instant, but then he sat down obediently.

Because of Michael's arrival, the kids all sensed the subtle shift in atmosphere. After Arthur's silence, they didn't know what to say either. They exchanged uncertain glances, then started quietly munching their fries instead of chatting freely like before.

"Arthur, it was great meeting you. Happy birthday! Hope we can hang out again sometime. Bye!"

The group of friends knew each other well—when one suggested leaving, the others followed suit. But they all enthusiastically waved goodbye to Arthur. Arthur looked up and managed a smile as he waved back.

Once the kids left, the atmosphere grew painfully awkward.

Michael couldn't hold back. "I feel like maybe I shouldn't have come."

Arthur kept eating his burger, as if he hadn't heard.

When Arthur didn't respond, Michael didn't know what to do.

Michael wasn't sure whether to leave or stay. He turned to look at me.

I knew what he was silently asking—whether he could leave, whether his presence was making Arthur uncomfortable.

I shook my head. "Don't go. I think you two need to have a real talk."

Michael lowered his eyes. "Okay."

Everything Arthur had said at the birthday party today was heartfelt and true. He'd been neglected for so long, his heart covered in scars. But those wounds had accumulated over eight years—they couldn't be healed overnight.

Still, Michael couldn't just do nothing.

For the first time, Michael showed real patience with Arthur. "Arthur, are you angry with me?"

Arthur looked up, but his gaze landed on me instead.

I encouraged him. "Arthur, it's okay. Say whatever you want to say. I'm right here. If he… if he dares criticize you, I'll knock some sense into him."

"And if you don't want to go home, don't worry. I'll take care of you. If you don't want to go back to the Miller family, no one can force you."

Arthur looked at my clenched fist and finally managed a smile. He turned to Michael. "Dad, I'm not angry with you."

"I'm just scared… that you'll hate me."

Tears glistened in Arthur's eyes.

"You already don't really like me. These past few weeks, if it weren't for Alice showing up, you wouldn't have spent any time with me at all. And today I said all those things at the party and embarrassed the Miller family. You must hate me even more now. If you don't actually like me and you're only pretending to be a good father because Alice asked you to, then…"

"Then you don't have to keep doing it anymore, because it feels really…" Arthur paused, gathering courage before continuing, "really fake."

Michael's pupils contracted at those words.

He pressed his lips together. "Arthur, I'm sorry."

Arthur's eyes went wide. He'd never imagined the day would come when his cold, distant "dad" would apologize to him.

The confusion in his expression revealed that he seemed to be questioning whether this was a dream. Hearing an apology from his father felt impossible.

"All these years, I haven't been good to you. I've failed to show you the love you deserved. So I want to ask you—will you give me a chance to do better?"