The Billionaire's Heir I Never Knew Was Mine novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15: A Simple Dinner

Zachary looked at her again, this time a little longer, as if he were trying to read something hidden beneath her words.

For a brief moment, his gaze lingered. Not intrusive, not demanding, but observant in a quiet, careful way.

Then, just as quickly, he returned his attention to the road, his expression settling back into its usual calm.

"I see."

That was all he said. No further questions. No unnecessary curiosity. Just two simple words.

Silence followed.

The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, yet it wasn’t entirely relaxed either. It hung between them like a thin thread. Steady, unbroken, but noticeable enough that neither of them tried to break it.

Sienna leaned back slightly into her seat, her gaze drifting toward the road ahead.

The passing streetlights painted soft shadows across the windshield, and for the first time since leaving the hotel, her shoulders slowly began to loosen.

’That was close.’

The thought echoed quietly in her mind, followed by a lingering sense of disbelief.

And yet...

Somehow, sitting here now, beside a man she barely knew, she felt... safe and calm.

As if everything chaotic from earlier had been left behind the moment she stepped into his car.

After a while, Zachary spoke again.

"Where do you want to go?"

Sienna blinked, pulled out of her thoughts. "Huh?"

"For dinner," he clarified, his tone steady.

"Oh... right." She straightened slightly, turning toward him with a small smile that came more naturally this time. "What do you want to eat? Let’s go with your choice."

Zachary didn’t answer immediately. His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel, his gaze steady on the road as if he were actually considering it seriously.

Then he nodded.

Sienna waited.

"Are you sure?" He asked, his voice was calm, though there was a faint hint of something unreadable beneath it. "I might choose an expensive restaurant."

Her smile froze. On the surface, she remained composed. Calm. Polite.

But inside—

’Expensive?’ Her thoughts immediately spiraled as she recalled her expenses over the past few days. ’...Travel expenses back to my hometown. Taxi this morning. Emergency meals...’

Her salary? Still far away, like a distant dream that refused to arrive on time.

Sienna swallowed quietly.

’Girl...this is fine,’ she told herself, forcing a steady breath. ’You can survive with one meal a day. Maybe skip breakfast tomorrow. Or lunch. Or both.’

Outwardly, she maintained her calm expression.

"It doesn’t matter," she said, even offering a confident smile. "It’s my promise to you, after all."

Zach glanced at her briefly.

And for a moment, silence returned.

Then, unexpectedly, a soft chuckle escaped him.

"Don’t worry," he said. "I was joking."

Sienna frowned, "...What?"

"I’m not that cruel," he added, his tone carrying the faintest trace of amusement.

For a second, she simply stared at him. Then her shoulders dropped, and she let out a quiet breath.

’Dang it! This man almost sent me into financial collapse.’

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