**TITLE: He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**
**Chapter 210: The Storm Behind the Smile**
In that moment, Micah felt a profound weight settle upon him. He understood, deep down, that lying to Oriana was out of the question. The truth was a burden he was willing to bear alone, but the thought of her worry twisted in his gut. He couldn’t stand the idea of causing her any distress or sadness.
Taking a quiet, steadying breath, he adjusted the camera, revealing the entirety of the hospital room that surrounded him. The stark white walls and the sterile smell of antiseptic were a stark contrast to the warmth he felt when he thought of Oriana.
He cleared his throat softly, attempting to mask the truth behind a lighthearted facade, and turned the camera back to capture his face. “Kieran’s with me, so you don’t have to worry. I’ll be out by the time you get back.” His tone was light, but he could feel the heaviness of the situation pressing down on him.
Her response came swiftly, a mixture of disbelief and concern, “I can’t believe you’re sick and I’m not there with you.”
Oriana’s voice was laced with guilt, and Micah felt an ache in his heart. He knew he had to reassure her, to soothe her restless spirit. “Honestly, I feel better knowing you’re not around. At least I didn’t pass it on to you.” He tried to inject a bit of humor into the situation, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Micah Caldwell, don’t even say that. I’m not scared of getting sick because of you…” Oriana snapped, her protective instincts flaring.
Micah offered her a gentle, apologetic smile, one that he hoped conveyed his sincerity. “Alright, I won’t say it. I don’t want you feeling bad.” He could see the worry etched on her face, and it tugged at his heartstrings.
As she scrutinized him through the screen, her gaze darting over his complexion repeatedly, he sensed her internal struggle. After what felt like an eternity, she finally conceded, her voice softer now, “Micah, wait for me. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow.”
The concern in her eyes was palpable, and it melted Micah’s heart. He smiled, warmth flooding through him. “I’ll wait.”
“Then go rest early. I won’t bother you anymore tonight,” she said, her voice a blend of care and finality.
“Good night,” he replied, his heart swelling with affection.
“Good night,” she echoed, and as the call ended, the warmth of their connection lingered like a gentle embrace.
Once the video call was over, Oriana found it impossible to relax in the tub any longer. The water felt cold, and her mind raced with thoughts of Micah. She quickly climbed out, dried herself off, and dressed in a flurry of motion before dialing Kieran Duke’s number.
When Kieran picked up, she felt a wave of relief wash over her as he confirmed, “Micah really just has the flu, nothing serious. He went to the hospital so someone could keep an eye on him at night.” His calm demeanor reassured her, and she felt a knot in her stomach loosen.
“Please, Kieran, help take care of him these next two days,” she implored, her voice earnest.
Kieran chuckled lightly, “You’re too polite, Mrs. Caldwell. This is part of my job, and trust me, Mr. Caldwell pays me well for it.” His tone was teasing, but Oriana appreciated the levity.
With a sigh of relief, she hung up, only to turn around and find Zara leaning casually against the doorway, a coffee in hand and a teasing smirk on her face as she chewed on her straw.
“Aww, look at you getting all worked up. It’s just the flu, not the end of the world,” Zara said, amusement dancing in her eyes.
The truth was… Zara wasn’t entirely wrong. Just moments ago, she had nearly changed her flight. The longing to be with Micah was a powerful force pulling her in his direction.
The Weston Equestrian Club was located in the picturesque southeast part of Seabar, near the shimmering coast. The area was a tapestry of newly developed luxury resorts and scenic attractions, the view breathtaking in its beauty.
Oriana and Zara had made the journey themselves, and as they drove through the club’s grand front gates, a wide four-lane road stretched invitingly before them, flanked by tall, mature trees that whispered secrets in the gentle breeze. The moment they crossed the threshold, it felt as if they could finally breathe, the clean, crisp air a welcome relief from the city’s chaos.
Upon reaching the parking lot, they were met with a sight that made Oriana’s heart sink. It was nearly full, but not due to an influx of vehicles. Instead, two massive black vans had taken up six central spots, forcing the other cars to squeeze tightly along the edges.
Zara’s annoyance was palpable as she craned her neck to get a better view. “Who the hell parks like that? Might as well take over the whole lot,” she huffed.
Just then, two classmates emerged from one of the vans, and as if on cue, one of them, Willow Barnes—an ardent fan of Kai Sullivan—overheard Zara’s comment.
Zara was a familiar face around Oriana’s campus, and Willow recognized her instantly. With a faux-sweet smile and a hint of condescension lacing her voice, she approached. “Wow, Ms. Radcliffe, you came to our little class gathering too?”
“Well, one of those vans belongs to our Kaibby,” she added, her tone dripping with smugness. “He’s a big-time celeb, you know—this kind of setup’s standard for his travel. The other van? That’s just a favor from him, arranged for Luna and her boyfriend to have a place to rest. They did put up money and effort for this whole get-together, so what’s a few parking spots, really?”
**Chapter 211: Silent Wars and Gentle Hands**

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