My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 16

**He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**
**Chapter 16: The Trip**

Grant felt a knot tighten in his chest, his breath hitching as he stared at Luna. “Luna, you’re such a fool,” he said, frustration lacing his tone.

“I’m not a fool,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it held an unwavering conviction. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I love you, Grant. I love you more than you can imagine. But I can’t ignore the truth—I know Oriana loves you, and you love her too. I can’t betray her, even if it means sacrificing my own happiness. But as long as I can bring you a bit of joy, as long as you can spare me a flicker of your kindness now and then, I’ll find a way to be content,” Luna confessed, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Contentment? Is that what you call this? Doesn’t that just make you a fool?” Grant challenged, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“I know what you’re thinking, Grant. You might feel sorry for me and give me a little more than just pity—” Luna’s voice faltered, the weight of her words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

Meanwhile, Oriana had envisioned countless scenarios of intimacy between Grant and Luna, her imagination running wild with possibilities. But witnessing the reality unfold before her eyes shattered those innocent fantasies. The scene was raw and unfiltered, far more intense than anything she could have ever conjured in her mind.

The Grant who was now utterly captivated by Luna’s radiant smile was a stark contrast to the boy she once knew—the one who had blushed furiously and trembled at the mere brush of her lips during their first kiss. He was no longer the hesitant boy but a man consumed by passion.

As she watched them, Oriana felt as though she were teetering on the edge of an emotional cliff. It was as if the ground beneath her was crumbling away, and she feared she would plunge into a chasm of despair. Yet, surprisingly, she found herself more composed than she had anticipated.

Just a few days had passed, and her heart had already begun to sever its ties to him.

Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, she reached for her phone and recorded a brief video clip. The moment things escalated beyond her comfort zone, she turned away, leaving the scene behind her like a distant echo.

Back upstairs, she felt the need to wash away the remnants of what she had just witnessed, as if cleansing herself of the emotional grime that clung to her. As she splashed water on her face, her phone buzzed insistently—Micah was calling.

Oriana let out a soft sigh. It was almost amusing how Micah always seemed to show up just when she was feeling at her lowest. Was it mere coincidence, or could it be fate playing its hand?

With a mixture of curiosity and resolve, she answered the call. “Good evening, Mr. Caldwell,” she greeted, her voice steady.

“Good evening,” Micah replied, his deep voice resonating through the phone, carrying a magnetic allure that was hard to ignore.

Oriana’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “Mr. Caldwell, have you heard yet another piece of gossip about me?”

Micah paused, clearly taken aback by her sudden liveliness. “You seem to be in good spirits. Is there something worth celebrating?” he inquired, his tone light.

Oriana considered his words for a moment. “I suppose so, yes,” she admitted, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Care to share?” Micah asked, his curiosity piqued.

She hesitated, feeling a twinge of awkwardness as she scratched her cheek. “This might be something you’d rather not hear. Maybe it’s best if I keep it to myself,” she finally confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

“Fair enough,” Micah conceded. “Actually, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be in Meradin for a few days. When you arrive in Jindiwood, I might not be back in time. But I’ll do my best to make it.”

Oriana blinked in surprise at his unexpected revelation. She hadn’t anticipated him to share the details of his schedule. Given their arrangement, such information felt unnecessary.

The following morning, she woke up naturally, feeling refreshed. On the table, she found a pie and a glass of milk, accompanied by a sticky note that read, “Sorry, Oriana. An urgent trip came up. I’ll be back in two days and take you to Fortine Mount then. Whatever punishment you want, I’ll accept it.”

Oriana couldn’t help but sneer at the note. With a decisive motion, she crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the trash before leisurely enjoying her breakfast.

She picked up her phone and called Zara, her best friend.

“Oriana? Is it really you calling this early?” Zara’s voice was thick with sleep, her eyes still barely open.

Oriana chuckled, the sound light and carefree. “Zara, I’m heading to Fortine Mount. Want to join me?”

“Of course! I’ve been begging you to travel for ages, but you always insisted on staying with Grant,” Zara perked up instantly, her enthusiasm infectious. “When do we leave?”

“This afternoon,” Oriana replied, her smile widening.

“Huh?” Zara exclaimed, clearly taken aback but equally excited.

Oriana felt a surge of joy at the prospect of their adventure. It was just the escape she needed, a chance to break free from the tangled emotions that had ensnared her. She could almost hear the sound of running water from the bathroom, but her mind was elsewhere, flooded with the memories of last night.

Grant’s phone lay charging on the nightstand, notifications lighting up the screen one after another. With a quick glance at his silhouette behind the frosted glass, Luna quietly picked up the phone, her heart racing as she unlocked it, ready to delve into whatever secrets it might hold.