The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 137

Claire shamelessly kept going. "All of those wishes above, I can grant them for you right now, especially the last one."

As her words faded, the confined space in the car fell dead silent.

Having thrown out the flirtatious line, Claire waited for him to shake his head in exasperation like he usually did, or call her "shameless."

Sometimes, when she teased him enough, the tips of his ears would turn red.

But right now, the man looked like he was frozen in ice, staring blankly ahead with an expressionless face.

The playful smile slowly vanished from Claire's lips. Sensing something was deeply wrong, she quickly backtracked.

"If you don't like that birthday gift, we can swap it for something else..."

She tested the waters carefully.

"I could bake you a cake? Or is there somewhere you want to go? But if you want me to buy you a building, this humble servant simply cannot afford it."

"There's no need. I don't celebrate my birthday."

Claire blinked, assuming he just found it to be a hassle.

"Dr. Zimmerman, it's only once a year. We can just keep it simple and fun..."

"I said, I don't celebrate it."

He cut her off, his voice low but laced with unquestionable finality.

She clearly saw his fingers tightening slowly around the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

Miles was fighting to suppress his emotions. It wasn't anger; it was raw restraint.

Claire pressed her lips together and stayed quiet. She leaned back into her seat, turning her head to watch the passing city out the window.

The atmosphere in the car had become suffocating the moment she brought up his birthday. Miles noticeably accelerated.

Back at Grandview Heights, from the parking garage to the elevator, the two of them didn't exchange a single word.

The elevator doors chimed open. In the hallway, they turned to their respective doors.

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