My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 156

**He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen 156**

**Chapter 156: Aurora House**

Noah clasped Oriana’s hand with a firm grip, the warmth of his touch sending a gentle shiver through her. Slowly, he peeled off his mask, revealing the weariness etched across his features.

After a long day of wearing that mask, the straps had left angry red marks along his cheeks, a testament to the hours spent hidden behind it. His nose was sharp, the skin delicate and dry, revealing the toll that time had taken on him. The tip of his nose was even raw, a small injury that added to the weight of the moment.

A wave of guilt surged within Oriana, washing over her like a tide.

“Mr. Caldwell, I’m so sorry,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

He let out a soft chuckle, a sound that seemed to lighten the heavy atmosphere. “Silly girl, what do you have to apologize for? I should be the one expressing my gratitude. You’ve lifted a significant burden off my shoulders. Otherwise—” His grin widened, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes. “I honestly wouldn’t have known how to reveal the truth to you.”

With a gentle pat on her hand, he continued, “Now I can finally rest easy at night. Next time, no need to hide things from me, alright?”

Oriana nodded, feeling a bit reassured. “It’s getting late. You should head home. But remember, you promised to come back next week. If you don’t, I’ll come to your place myself.”

She rubbed the corners of her eyes, trying to dispel the lingering sting, and let out a soft, almost musical laugh. “You’re always welcome here.”

After their heartfelt exchange, the Maybach rolled away from Jindiwood Garden, the vehicle gliding smoothly into the night.

*****

Inside the car, Micah’s grip on Oriana’s hand remained unyielding, a protective hold that spoke volumes.

Sensing the weight of his mood, Oriana shifted closer, her heart aching to understand.

In the dim glow filtering through the window, she caught sight of how tightly his lips were pressed together, a line of tension that hinted at unspoken thoughts. Behind his glasses, his eyes appeared shadowed, as if a fog had settled there, deep and unreadable.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Micah stirred slightly, turning his head to meet her gaze.

“About Grandpa, aren’t you angry?” His voice was low, almost hesitant, as if afraid of her response.

Oriana sighed, her heart aching for him. “It’s alright. He meant well,” she murmured, fully aware of the unspoken words hanging in the air.

“People always act out of love, doing things they claim are for your own good,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. “But Mr. Caldwell never forced us into anything we didn’t want. He’d rather bear the blame, tell a lie, and suffer the consequences himself.”

Her tone dimmed, and her words slowed, weighted with reflection. “But some people make choices for you, thinking it’s love. They steer your life down paths you never wanted, pulling your strings like a puppet, all in the name of caring for you. They make you do whatever they say.”

Oriana shook her head resolutely. “I’m not confused anymore. I don’t care about what’s right or wrong to others—I just follow what feels right to me.”

At her final words, Micah’s breath caught ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

After stepping into her office, she opened her laptop and began preparing her materials, the familiar routine grounding her.

A few minutes later, Lily slumped into her chair with an exaggerated groan. “Oriana, remember that restaurant I told you about—the one opening to compete with Refe House? It’s finally open. And get this—the name’s totally connected to you. It’s called Aurora House.”

Still focused on her computer, Oriana nodded absentmindedly. “Nice. Let’s go check it out sometime.”

Lily sighed dramatically, her eyes wide with excitement. “If only it were that easy!”

She continued, “That place put up a notice—only two meals a day, one table per meal, and you have to be a chosen one to even get in!”

Finally, Oriana looked away from the screen, her curiosity piqued.

“Only one table per meal?” she asked, astonished.

Lily nodded vigorously. “Exactly.” Leaning closer, she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I thought I’d finally found a replacement for Refe House. But turns out, this one’s even harder to get into. God, maybe it’s some billionaire’s little vanity project to impress his girlfriend?”

Oriana couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “Come on, no billionaire’s that reckless. That’s a money pit, not a business.”

“More than that—it’s straight-up charity!” Lily gossiped, her eyes wide with intrigue. “Their ingredients are all imported daily. The menu changes every day and can be customized however the guest wants. The restaurant’s in one of the most expensive commercial buildings in the city, and they hired a top-tier international chef team.”

Then, leaning in closer, she almost whispered, “And according to my brother—guess who the head chef is? The mentor of Arthur, the head chef at Refe House! The guy who taught Arthur everything. The owner of Aurora House paid a fortune to bring him back and only lets him cook for one table a meal. Can you imagine? He’s basically throwing away hundreds of thousands a day. Tell me, what kind of normal person does that?”