Chapter Fifty-Eight: Silence, Strategy
The ride home was steeped in silence.
Not awkward.
Not forced.
Just thick with everything unsaid, heavy with everything still lingering.
Mikael leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, gaze flickering between Kian—who stared out the window, expression unreadable—and Chloe—who refused to turn in his direction.
Tension was there.
Undeniable.
But Mikael didn't dare speak—not yet.
Because he knew Kian.
Knew his love for Chloe wasn't temporary, wasn't fragile, wasn't something that could just be buried under bitterness.
Knew Kian never blamed her, never spoke ill of her, never let their breakup turn into something uglier than pain.
And Chloe?
She didn't know that.
Didn't know what Kian endured after she left.
Didn't know he still stood where she left him, still held onto something even when she didn't ask him to.
Mikael exhaled lightly, shifting his gaze to his phone, thumbs tapping out a quick message.
[GC: Lorence, Damian]
"Back Chloe up when we get home. Dad will bend if we do it right."
The reply was faster than expected.
[Lorence]
"You want us to soften him? Fine."
[Damian]
"She's got enough scars. Dad doesn't need to add more."
Mikael smirked faintly.
His brothers understood.
Their father loved Chloe the most—his favorite daughter, the one who challenged him, the one who made him proud, the one who had hurt him in ways only a daughter could.
He was angry.
He was hurt.
But Mikael knew the truth—their father could never stay mad at her for long.
Because all it ever took was Chloe showing up, that brat, that stubborn force of nature, that daughter he couldn't resist—standing there, looking apologetic.
And just like that?
The walls would crack.
The anger would soften.
And their father would bend.
Then—a phone rang.
Sharp. Sudden. Intrusive.
Chloe glanced at the screen.
Kevin.
She exhaled lightly, answering the video call without hesitation.
"What's up?"
Kevin blinked, momentarily stalled—Chloe looked even prettier than she had just days ago.
"Uh—nothing. Wanted to talk to Carter. I miss him."
Chloe nodded, because she knew—Kevin was telling the truth.
It had been days.
And Carter? Instantly lit up.
"Daddy!"
Without hesitation, Carter pulled the phone from Chloe's grasp, grinning, talking, fully engaged.
Kian sat perfectly still.
Unmoved.
Expression unreadable.
But Mikael?
He noticed.
Saw the way Kian's fingers flexed slightly against his knee.
Saw the way his jaw tightened just subtly.
Saw the way his stare didn't shift, didn't break, didn't soften.
Angry. Jealous. Completely wrecked.
The call lasted until they neared the villa.
By the time the car rolled to a stop, Kevin had already said goodbye, Carter already returning the phone to Chloe.
Mikael exhaled lightly.
"See you around, Ashford."
Kian barely responded—just a quiet hum, acknowledging but disengaged.
But Carter?
He was different.
He felt the distance.
He wasn't aware of what was happening, didn't fully understand why something felt off—but he felt it.
Kian was the first person he got close to upon arriving in Macresia.
And now, he was leaving.
Carter hesitated.
Then—tugged at Kian's sleeve, looking up, hesitant.
"Are we gonna see each other again?"
Kian barely blinked, barely processed the question before softening just slightly.
Then—firm but quiet.
"Yes. Maybe."
And with that—he stepped out, closing the door behind him, walking toward the villa, leaving nothing else behind but the silence that explained everything.