Leo held Clair tightly in his arms.
"I missed you too, Clair…" he said softly.
Clair froze for a moment, surprised by his words.
"You… remembered me?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Leo pulled back slightly and smiled at her—gently, sincerely.
"Of course," he said. "I never forgot you."
Hearing that, Clair's eyes softened. A quiet warmth spread across her face as she hugged him back, this time without hesitation.
Later, they sat together in a small café.
The atmosphere was calm, filled with soft chatter and the clinking of cups.
"So… how's your university life going?" Leo asked.
Clair smiled.
"It's going well. Classes are tough sometimes, but I like it," she said. "What about you?"
Leo leaned back in his chair.
"I'm working in my dad's company now."
Clair looked impressed.
"Oh wow… that's great."
As they continued talking, Clair noticed something unusual.
A few people in the café were glancing toward Leo. Some whispered. Others simply stared.
Clair sighed softly.
"I have to say… you're still very popular. Everyone's staring at you."
Leo glanced around briefly, then shrugged.
"Oh, them? Let them stare. I don't care."
Clair crossed her arms, slightly annoyed.
"Yes… I know. You never cared."
Leo chuckled.
"Oh? I see."
Clair raised an eyebrow.
"See what?"
Leo smirked a little.
Clair narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you smirking?"
Leo shook his head, his gaze soft.
"Nothing… really."
They continued talking, laughing quietly, enjoying each other's company like the years between them had disappeared.
But then—
Leo's phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
"…It's Werren," he said.
Then he stood up.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Sure," Clair replied.
From her seat by the window, Clair watched Leo step outside.
She couldn't hear what he was saying, but she could see his expression change.
The warmth he had just moments ago…
Faded.
Something was wrong.
After the call ended, Leo stood still for a moment before walking back inside.
When he sat down, Clair immediately noticed.
His face looked calm—
But his eyes didn't.
"Hey… what happened?" she asked softly. "Is everything okay?"
Leo forced a small smile.
"Oh… yeah. Everything's fine."
Clair looked at him carefully.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Leo replied.
But even he couldn't hide the slight sadness in his voice.
Clair noticed.
She just didn't say anything.
After a short silence, Leo spoke again.
"Hey, Clair… let's meet again tomorrow."
Clair blinked, then smiled.
"Yeah… sure. Why not?"
Both of them stood up.
Before leaving, Leo stepped closer—
And hugged her again.
Clair's cheeks turned slightly red, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she hugged him back.
For a moment…
Neither of them wanted to let go.
After that, they said goodbye and went their separate ways.
When Clair reached home, she lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling with a soft smile.
"Ah… that was so strange…" she whispered.
Her cheeks were still slightly flushed.
"But… I'm happy."
Meanwhile—
Leo arrived home.
As he entered the living room, he saw Mr. Miles sitting there.
For a moment, Leo stopped.
But without saying anything, he walked past him.
Inside his room—
Leo closed the door quietly.
He leaned against it, exhaling deeply.
Everything felt overwhelming again.
The truth.
The lies.
The past.
Leo walked toward his bed and sat down.
His eyes slowly lowered.
Mr. Miles…
Wasn't his real father.
He was Werren's father.
Leo's uncle.
After the accident that took his parents away—
Mr. Miles had taken him in.
Raised him.
Protected him.
Treated him like his own son.
Leo clenched his fists slightly.
"To me… he was everything…" he whispered.
"A father… someone I trusted more than anyone."
His expression darkened.
"But now…"
Everything felt uncertain.
Leo lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Clair's face crossed his mind.
For a moment—
His expression softened.
At least…
Not everything was broken.
But deep inside—
One question still remained.
Why, father…?