Chapter 406: Runaway???
The first class cabin was quiet.
Soft ambient lighting covered the walls while the distant hum of the aircraft remained constant in the background.
Miles sat beside Chloe near the window.
The seats had been adjusted into a shared private space, giving them enough room to sit comfortably without disturbing the other passengers.
For a while, Chloe had been quietly processing everything Miles told her.
Thea.
Lucian.
Ivy.
The WEB.
The years of lies and pressure surrounding one woman who had spent most of her life trying to protect her little sister from a distance.
Finally...
Chloe exhaled slowly.
"So that’s her story?"
Miles looked toward her.
Chloe’s expression was thoughtful.
"I didn’t know Great Uncle Lucian had such a complicated background."
Miles nodded.
"Everyone has their own problems."
Chloe leaned back slightly.
Miles continued,
"Some people just want someone to listen."
He looked toward the clouds outside the window.
"If they speak everything out..."
"They feel lighter."
Chloe listened.
"And some people don’t want someone to simply listen."
Miles glanced toward her.
"They want help."
"A solution."
"Someone to actually do something."
Chloe tilted her head.
"Are you a good listener, Miles?"
Miles smiled.
He slowly raised one hand and gently moved a loose strand of hair away from Chloe’s face.
"I’m a very good listener."
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course."
She smiled.
"But you’re also a problem solver."
Miles’ hand lowered.
Chloe continued,
"You help everyone."
"Sometimes people you barely know."
"You are too kind."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
A teasing smile appeared.
"Are you jealous?"
Chloe immediately puffed her cheeks.
"Maybe."
Miles laughed softly.
"If you treat everyone this well..."
She looked away dramatically.
"I won’t feel special anymore."
Miles chuckled.
"I’m not shared property."
Chloe turned toward him.
Miles leaned slightly closer.
"I’m yours."
Her expression softened.
"You are my first priority."
Chloe immediately smiled.
Then her eyes became mischievous again.
"Then Mom will be sad."
Miles froze.
"Ah."
Chloe laughed.
Miles leaned back.
"If I tell Mom that she’s my first priority..."
He imagined Elena’s reaction.
"...she will probably get angry at me."
Chloe laughed harder.
Miles continued,
"I think she loves you more than she loves me now."
Chloe nodded confidently.
"That I agree with."
Miles looked offended.
"No hesitation?"
"None."
She smiled.
"But I’m glad I married you."
Miles looked toward her.
Chloe’s expression became gentler.
"Mom loves everyone equally."
"It’s unconditional."
Miles became quiet.
Then he smiled.
"I love you unconditionally."
Chloe’s eyes softened.
"But..."
Miles continued.
"I’m kind to other people for selfish reasons."
Chloe frowned.
"Selfish?"
"Yes."
Miles looked toward their joined hands.
"It makes me happy."
He paused.
"Like I told you before..."
"I don’t have that many reasons to smile."
"So when I can help someone..."
He smiled faintly.
"...I get another one."
Chloe stared at him.
Then suddenly narrowed her eyes.
"Wordplay?"
Miles blinked.
"What?"
"You should become a writer or something."
Miles laughed.
Chloe continued proudly,
"I’ll be your biggest fan."
Miles leaned toward her.
"Maybe."
Then his tone softened.
"My shoulders are all yours."
Chloe looked at him.
"Your problems are mine."
"Your concerns are mine."
"Anything that troubles you..."
He smiled.
"You bring it to me."
Chloe remained quiet for a second.
Then asked,
"What about yours?"
Miles immediately looked suspicious.
"What about them?"
"You said you’d share them with me."
Miles smiled.
"Do you know how to use a gun?"
Chloe stared at him.
Miles waited.
She immediately shook her head.
"I think I’ll pass."
Miles chuckled.
Chloe lightly pushed his shoulder.
"I’m serious."
Miles looked toward her.
"What?"
"What did you do?"
"For what?"
"Your problems."
Her voice became quieter.
"Back then."
Miles’ smile slowly faded.
Chloe continued,
"When you were in the field..."
"When things went wrong..."
"Did you have a good listener too?"
Miles looked ahead.
"Did you have someone’s shoulder?"
The question remained between them.
Miles smiled faintly.
"Do you really want to know?"
Chloe reached over and held his hand.
"Yes."
She squeezed gently.
"Please share."
Miles looked down at their hands.
Then slowly answered.
"There were problems."
"Of course there were."
He paused.
"Sometimes I felt sad too."
Chloe listened carefully.
Miles continued,
"But..."
"I didn’t share those things with people."
Chloe frowned.
"Why?"
Miles leaned back.
"Because everyone around me already had heavy shoulders."
Chloe didn’t interrupt.
"They were soldiers."
"Mercenaries."
"People who had lost families."
"People who had watched friends die."
"People who had their own nightmares."
He looked toward the window.
"They were already carrying enough."
"So you thought your problems would make things worse?"
Miles nodded.
"Something like that."
Chloe’s fingers tightened around his.
"So what did you do?"
Miles gave a faint smile.
"I ran away."
Chloe looked surprised.
"Ran away?"
"Not literally."
Miles thought about it.
"Well..."
"Sometimes literally too."
Chloe smiled faintly.
Miles continued,
"If something filled my head with too much noise..."
"I distracted myself."
"Work."
"Training."
"Missions."
"Driving."
"Walking."
"Anything."
He looked toward her.
"I made sure nobody could see what I was feeling."
Chloe’s expression became sad.
Miles continued calmly,
"I buried emotions under distractions."
"Then once my mind became stable..."
"I thought."
He tapped one finger gently against his temple.
"And when I could think clearly again..."
"I solved the problem myself."
Chloe stared at him.
"All by yourself?"
Miles nodded.
"Hmm."
Chloe sighed.
Then rested against the seat.
"So..."
She thought for a moment.
"Was there ever a friend who cried on your shoulder?"
Miles immediately nodded.
"Friends?"
"Yes."
He smiled.
"I think so."
"Helping a friend when they need you..."
Miles looked toward Chloe.
"Isn’t that what friendship means?"
Chloe smiled.
"But did you ever really consider them friends?"
Miles frowned.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Chloe shifted toward him.
"You said helping friends when they need you is friendship."
"Yes."
"It works both ways."
Miles became quiet.
Chloe continued,
"You can help them."
"But you can also rely on them."
She gently touched his hand.
"You can put your head on their shoulder too."
Miles listened.
"Maybe if your mind was a mess..."
"They could have helped you."
"Maybe they could have helped you make the right decision faster."
Miles smiled slowly.
"You’re right."
Chloe looked pleased.
Miles continued,
"Maybe I really was a kid back then."
Chloe laughed.
"That sounds strange."
"What?"
"It sounds like I married an old man."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Old man?"
Chloe nodded.
"Very wise."
"Very serious."
"Always giving life lessons."
Miles leaned toward her.
"I’m still your husband."
Chloe laughed.
"And you have to deal with this old man’s wisdom."
She immediately waved her hand.
"Keep your wisdom for your future children."
Miles smiled.
"Future children?"
Chloe realized what she said.
Her cheeks became slightly red.
Miles noticed immediately.
But this time...
He didn’t tease her.
Only smiled.
Chloe cleared her throat.
"So..."
Miles looked toward her.
"What do you think?"
Miles pretended to consider something.
Then suddenly shifted closer.
Before Chloe could ask what he was doing...
Miles tilted his head.
And rested it on her shoulder.
Chloe froze.
Miles closed his eyes comfortably.
"Your shoulders are mine to cry on."
Chloe looked down at him.
A smile slowly appeared.
She gently touched his cheek.
Then ran her fingers through his hair.
"I feel like this trip is going to become a life lesson for you."
Miles opened one eye.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Miles smiled.
"Thanks for taking care of the poor student..."
He looked up.
"Professor Chloe."
Chloe immediately pushed his forehead.
"Shut up."
Miles laughed.
The aircraft continued through the clouds.
And for once...
No crisis waiting on the other side of a door.
Only the quiet weight of his head resting against his wife’s shoulder.
...
Mountain City, Belvoir
Winslow Estate
A dark vehicle slowly entered the private estate.
Large gates closed behind it.
The road ahead wound through carefully maintained greenery.
Tall trees.
Stone paths.
Flower gardens.
And farther ahead...
The Winslow residence.
Thea sat quietly in the rear seat.
She had barely spoken during the final part of the journey.
Her eyes remained fixed outside.
Every meter brought her closer.
Closer to Ivy.
Closer to the life she had sacrificed everything to protect.
Reina sat beside her.
Darius drove.
Marina occupied the front passenger seat.
Eventually, the car slowed.
Then stopped.
The house stood ahead.
Not far.
Close enough to walk.
Reina looked toward Thea.
"We’ll stay with you until here."
Thea turned.
Reina smiled gently.
"The rest of the way..."
She looked toward the house.
"...is yours."
Thea’s breathing became slightly uneven.
Darius unlocked the door.
Click.
Thea looked toward the handle.
For a moment...
She couldn’t move.
Marina turned around.
"All the best, Miss Thea."
Thea looked toward her.
Marina smiled.
"And lots of love to your little sister."
Thea’s eyes became wet again.
She smiled.
"Thank you."
Then she looked toward each of them.
"Darius."
"Reina."
"Marina."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"And Ren and Aerin too."
She took a breath.
"You people are so kind."
Darius shook his head.
"We’re just following orders."
Thea looked toward him.
"Anything for our Leader."
Thea smiled faintly.
"Still."
She nodded.
"Thank you for everything."
"For the work."
"For taking the risk."
"For bringing me here."
Marina waved her hand.
"Just go."
Thea looked toward her.
Marina continued,
"Don’t worry about the WEB."
Her smile became confident.
"No one from them can enter this city."
Thea looked surprised.
Marina added,
"And soon..."
"The Republic of Haven will have no spiders left."
Thea’s expression changed.
That sentence carried far more weight than Marina made it sound.
She looked toward the distant house again.
Then slowly...
She stepped out.
The door closed behind her.
Thea remained still for a moment.
Then started walking.
One step.
Another.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
The car remained where it was.
Nobody drove away.
Darius watched through the windshield.
A faint smile appeared.
"I wish I could watch the reunion."
Marina immediately looked toward him.
"What?"
Darius turned.
She grinned.
"Since when are you this soft hearted?"
Reina leaned forward.
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Tell me too."
Darius frowned.
"What?"
He looked offended.
"I’m human too."
Marina laughed.
Darius continued,
"And I have a little sister."
Reina nodded dramatically.
"Ah."
"So that’s why."
Darius sighed.
Then...
A voice came from behind the vehicle.
"Good work, guys."
Everyone froze.
Darius turned immediately.
"Leader?"
All three opened the doors and stepped out.
Miles stood several meters behind the vehicle.
Chloe stood beside him.
Their hands were linked.
Darius’ face immediately changed.
"Leader."
Reina looked surprised.
"What are you doing here?"
Marina’s attention immediately moved toward Chloe.
Her eyes brightened.
"Lady Chloe looks so pretty."
Chloe blinked.
Then stared at Marina.
"Lady?"
Marina froze.
Chloe pointed toward herself.
"What am I?"
"An old woman?"
Miles immediately laughed.
He looked at Chloe.
"How does it feel when someone calls you old?"
Chloe turned toward him.
"Do you want to sleep outside tonight?"
Miles immediately became quiet.
Marina looked horrified.
"No."
She quickly raised both hands.
"I didn’t mean it that way."
Chloe laughed.
"I’m joking."
Marina sighed in relief.
Chloe smiled warmly.
"Just call me Chloe."
She looked around at them.
"I’m probably the youngest one here anyway."
Darius immediately shook his head.
"That won’t do."
Chloe frowned.
"Why?"
Darius stood straighter.
"You are Leader’s wife."
"We cannot address you disrespectfully."
Miles sighed.
"Darius."
"Leader?"
"I’m your leader."
He pointed toward himself.
"Not a king."
Darius still looked unconvinced.
Reina immediately commented,
"You can’t win against him, Darius."
Darius turned.
Reina smiled.
"You’re all muscles."
"No brain."
Darius stared at her.
"Again?"
Miles raised one hand.
"Let’s not start."
Marina laughed.
Miles looked toward Darius.
"How did everything go?"
Darius immediately became serious.
"Good."
Miles nodded.
Darius continued,
"She feels much better now."
Miles looked toward the path Thea had taken.
"Great."
Marina crossed her arms.
"Aren’t you going inside?"
Miles shook his head.
"We’ll pass."
Reina looked surprised.
Miles watched Thea walking farther away.
"I can’t take that moment away from them."
He smiled faintly.
"Two sisters meeting after years apart..."
He shook his head.
"That belongs to them."
Reina slowly looked toward Darius.
Darius noticed.
"What?"
She smiled knowingly.
He looked away.
Miles continued,
"We arrived about an hour ago."
Marina looked surprised.
"Already?"
"Yeah."
Miles nodded.
"We just came back from Great Aunt’s place."
Reina looked toward Chloe.
"So you’re staying here tonight?"
Miles nodded.
"We leave in the morning."
Marina smiled.
"Good luck, Leader."
Darius frowned.
"Where are you going?"
Reina closed her eyes.
Then sighed.
"Like I said."
Darius turned toward her.
"All muscles."
She tapped her temple.
"No brain."
Chloe covered her mouth and laughed.
Darius looked toward Miles for support.
Miles simply shrugged.
"Don’t involve me."
Then footsteps approached from behind.
A familiar voice called out,
"Young Master?"
Miles turned.
Captain Ken walked toward them.
The moment Miles saw him, he smiled.
"I wonder whose reunion this is anymore."
Ken laughed.
Miles stepped closer.
"How are you doing, Captain Ken?"
Ken nodded.
"I’m good."
He looked Miles up and down.
Then smiled.
"Look at you."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
Ken continued,
"You got married."
Miles looked toward Chloe.
Ken laughed.
"No wonder Clan Supreme changed."
Chloe’s expression changed slightly.
She looked toward Ken.
He immediately noticed.
"Don’t worry, Miss Chloe."
Chloe smiled politely.
Ken continued,
"I have known Lady Clarissa since childhood."
Miles listened.
"She has always been stubborn."
"Very stubborn."
He smiled.
"Sometimes she becomes attached to things..."
"Or people."
"But she also knows how to let things go."
Chloe’s expression softened.
Ken continued,
"She wasn’t thinking very maturely before."
"Now..."
He smiled.
"She’s happy."
Chloe slowly exhaled.
"I was worried about her."
Miles looked toward Ken.
Then introduced him.
"Chloe."
"Meet Captain Ken."
Ken nodded respectfully.
Miles continued,
"He’s the Watcher of the Phoenix Clan."
Chloe immediately looked interested.
"He helped me a lot when I first returned to Star Harbor."
Ken smiled.
"I’m glad I could help."
Chloe returned the smile.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
Darius suddenly raised one hand.
"Hi, Cap."
Ken turned toward him.
"Oh."
He smiled.
"The warrior is here too."
Marina immediately looked toward Darius.
"Isn’t he too big to go unnoticed?"
Reina laughed.
Darius looked increasingly tired of everyone.
Ken chuckled.
Then his expression became more serious.
"It’s good to see the future of our five clan alliance getting real experience outside."
He looked toward Darius, Reina, and Marina.
"Clan Supreme has high expectations from all of you."
Miles nodded.
"They’re great."
All three looked toward him.
Miles continued,
"They haven’t disappointed me once."
Darius’ expression immediately became proud.
Reina smiled faintly.
Marina looked pleased.
Ken nodded.
"Then I’d say they’re under the right guidance."
Miles smiled.
Then suddenly remembered something.
"That reminds me."
Ken looked toward him.
"Weren’t you assigned to Clarissa’s security?"
Darius looked surprised.
"You don’t know, Leader?"
Miles turned.
"Know what?"
Darius looked toward Ken.
Then back toward Miles.
Miles’ expression changed.
"You mean..."
"Clarissa is here?"
Darius nodded.
"Yes."
Miles blinked.
"Here?"
"At the Winslow Estate."
Darius continued,
"She said she would personally oversee security."
"Miss Olivia is her friend too."
Chloe’s eyes immediately brightened.
"She’s here?"
Miles slowly looked toward his wife.
Chloe smiled.
"I want to meet her."
Miles stared at her.
"What?"
Chloe laughed.
Miles crossed his arms.
"So she gets here before me..."
Then looked toward the estate.
"...and now she takes away my wife too?"
Chloe burst into laughter.