My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 173

**He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**
**Chapter 173: I Miss You**

As Oriana sat quietly, her mind began to drift in unexpected directions, thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a gentle breeze.

With Micah’s unwavering support and constant encouragement, she had poured herself wholeheartedly into her studies and career. Yet, in this fervor, she had neglected to pay attention to Micah’s own endeavors. It was a stark contrast to her past, when she had devoted endless patience to Grant, and now, the roles had shifted—Micah was the one endlessly accommodating her every need, never once voicing a complaint.

A wave of melancholy washed over Oriana, stirring a sense of guilt deep within her heart. It was as if a tiny voice within her was urging her to acknowledge the imbalance that had crept into their relationship. Acting on impulse, she reached for her phone, which lay hidden beneath her desk, and opened the chat with Micah. Her fingers hesitated for a moment before she typed out a few simple yet poignant words.

“Micah, I miss you.”

*****

In the study, however, the atmosphere had shifted, charged with tension as if a storm were brewing just out of sight.

Kieran felt a chill run down his spine, freezing him in place. He had always known Micah to be unpredictable before their marriage, but now, after they had exchanged vows, Micah had taken on an even more intimidating presence. The cause of this transformation was none other than Grant, who had cunningly secured a partnership with Jindiwood University through the Oncology Center. This maneuver granted him an unsettling amount of influence over the medical school teaching assistants, and Micah now exuded a palpable sense of menace.

Micah had initially intended to establish exclusive cooperation, but Grant’s sly tactics had outmaneuvered him. Kieran couldn’t shake the feeling that if Grant were to step into the room at that moment, Micah would not hesitate for an instant to eliminate him. This was not the first time Kieran had sensed such a dangerous impulse lurking beneath the surface.

Yet, there was something different this time. Kieran could see that Micah’s emotions were spiraling out of control, a tempest fueled by Oriana’s presence in his life. In the past, when Micah had learned of Oriana’s connection to Grant, he had been dark and brooding, but his possessiveness had not reached this fever pitch.

Since they had obtained their marriage license—or rather, since Micah and Oriana had embarked on this sweet, affectionate phase of their relationship—his possessiveness had intensified, like a long-dormant beast awakening within Micah’s soul, revealing its once-mighty and fearsome form.

The tension in the room was palpable when Chubby burst in, bringing news from Oriana. One abrupt message—”I miss you”—and Kieran felt a cold sweat break out along his spine. Earlier that day, Oriana had been invited to attend a project meeting led by Grant. Now, she had sent Micah a message that hinted at something troubling. It was clear she had done something that might have upset Micah and was now attempting to make amends.

Kieran watched helplessly as Micah’s initial shock morphed into a simmering rage, and he could hardly bear the sight. Three seconds passed before Micah’s hand moved to the keyboard with purpose. He struck the specially reinforced steel keys with a force that resonated through the room; each tap was cold, sharp, and deliberate.

“Why do you miss me?” he typed, the words dripping with an intensity that made Kieran’s heart race.

Just two seconds later, Oriana responded. “I was bored in the meeting, so naturally, I thought of you.”

In that moment, Kieran watched as Micah’s expression transformed, his smile becoming tender and light. Even the act of typing seemed to take on a cheerful rhythm. Kieran was taken aback; truly, one simple message from Oriana had proven to be more effective than a fire extinguisher, dousing the flames of tension that had threatened to engulf them.

Meanwhile, in the lecture hall, Oriana felt her cheeks flush as she read Micah’s reply, the warmth creeping all the way to her earlobes. At the podium, Alaric, who was acting as the assistant, was engaged in conversation with Luna when a cold, commanding voice broke through his earpiece.

“Have Oriana answer your question.”

Alaric paused, momentarily taken aback. Grant wasn’t physically present at the meeting, but the camera affixed to his chest streamed the session live directly to him. Alaric had thought it was merely a formality, but now he realized Grant was indeed watching.

“Did you hear me?” Grant’s impatience crackled through the earpiece.

Alaric looked puzzled, glancing past Luna to the back of the room. “Oriana, what are your thoughts on this topic?” he asked, the words tumbling out before he could think.

Luna’s expression soured immediately, her displeasure evident at having Oriana called upon so suddenly. Oriana, still flustered from her private exchange with Micah, felt her heart race and had no idea how to respond. She nervously lifted her head, ready to face the unexpected spotlight.