From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 296: Natural

At this point, Miranda's voice hitched slightly, her eyes growing teary.

She dabbed the corner of her eye, struggling to compose herself. "Even though I realized later that no career success could ever replace the closeness with my son... I still feel like I missed so much of his childhood. I wasn't there when he needed me most."

Watching the guilt and regret swirling in Miranda's eyes tugged at Riley's heart.

She gently passed a tissue across the table, her tone soft and reassuring. "Don't dwell on the past, Mrs. Torres. What's done is done. Sebastian understands."

Accepting the tissue, Miranda quickly blotted her eyes, the poised, collected woman reasserting herself moments later.

She patted Riley's hand, a look of sincere approval in her gaze. "Riley, you're exactly the kind of daughter-in-law I hoped for. I give you my full blessing.

"So promise me you'll make those who've wronged you pay dearly. I never wanted Sebastian with someone soft or naive. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but in our world, that kind of disposition won't survive. This circle is far more complex than it seems. You need strength to protect yourself before you can protect those you love."

Warmth flooded Riley's chest at the older woman's words.

This recognition, this guidance born of experience, felt solid and grounding, not like pressure at all.

Before long, the private dining room door opened again. Sebastian stepped in, immediately sensing the harmonious atmosphere. His mother and Riley were deep in conversation, discussing potential investments with an ease that spoke of mutual respect.

A faint, satisfied smile touched his lips. He knew Riley had clearly passed the test.

Dinner concluded amidst this easy camaraderie. Glancing at her watch, Miranda cast a meaningful look at the couple across from her, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

She stood. "I have some matters to attend to. I'll leave you two to your evening."

With a final, gentle smile for Riley, she made her exit.

As the door closed behind her, the room fell into a hush, now filled with a warm and intimate silence that seemed to hum softly between just the two of them.

Sebastian turned to Riley, a hint of a question in his eyes. "Are you heading back to the Ashford Manor tonight, or... do you have time for..."

He let the question trail off, his expectant gaze doing all the talking. The invitation hung in the air between them.

Her heart gave a little flip.

She tilted her head, a playful smile forming. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

A simple nod was his reply.

After a moment of feigned, thoughtful consideration, the answer came with a smile. "Well... I think tonight works."

Instantly, his eyes brightened.

They soon left the restaurant, strolling without direction along Havenbrook's evening streets.

The city lights glittered, the urban clamor fading behind them as a soft breeze occasionally brushed past.

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying the peaceful companionship.

Gazing up at the crescent moon, Riley glanced sideways at the man beside her, curiosity getting the better of her. "You haven't asked what I've been up to these past few days."

Sebastian's steps faltered almost imperceptibly, his gaze darkening. "Anything involving Lucas... I'd rather not know. Just know this: I trust you. And I'm patient enough to wait until you've sorted everything out."

Simple words, yet they wrapped around Riley's heart with an instant, profound sense of security.

The night deepened as they turned onto a quieter, more secluded path.

Then, his fingers lightly brushed against the back of her hand. Seizing the moment of privacy, he gently laced his fingers through hers.

Riley didn't pull away, letting her hand rest comfortably within his larger, warmer grasp.

The sudden intimacy sparked a strangely sweet, youthful feeling, as if they were two teenagers sneaking around, sharing a secret the whole world knew nothing about.

Everything else blurred, leaving only the two of them and the shared warmth connecting their hands.

They walked on in that wordless companionship, as if they could walk this path forever.

A bizarre thought suddenly surfaced in Riley's mind, prompting a puzzled question.

"Sebastian, why do I always feel like I've known you forever? Being with you feels so... natural."

It truly was strange.

To everyone else, Sebastian was the epitome of cold, aloof inscrutability—daunting and distant.

From the very beginning, there was no wall—no awkward barrier to scale. Instead, there was an ease between them, a kind of unspoken rhythm in their conversation that felt entirely their own.