Reborn Through Fire (Kisa and Gilbert)
Chapter 1604

"Hayes, I've always believed that having one man in your heart while being with another is disloyal and unfair. I never refused to be your woman because I disliked you, but because I didn't want to let you down."

Hayes gazed at her deeply, a hint of tenderness seeping into his cold eyes.

Mia continued. "You may be cold and aloof, but you're a good person."

Hayes suddenly seemed to have heard a joke. He tilted his head and said sarcastically, "It's the first time someone's ever called me a good person."

"It's because they don't understand you. In my eyes, you are a good person who loves your brother and shoulders the responsibility of your family's honor. You're just burdened with too much and can't be your true self."

Hayes felt a tremor in his heart. He looked at her and shook his head with a wry smile. "Do you think by saying these things, you can stop me from giving you away?"

Mia shook her head. "If my goal was to please you and dissuade you from giving me away, I wouldn't say these things; I would just agree to be your woman. So, Hayes, everything I've just said is truly what is in my heart."

"What's in your heart?" Hayes murmured, then laughed strangely. As he laughed, a flash of self-loathing crossed his brow. At this moment, in front of Mia, he genuinely recognized his own despicable nature. But he could do nothing. He wanted her to willingly become his woman, so he had to remove the object of her affection.

He turned away and said coolly, "Go to bed."

Mia pressed her lips together and did not say anything more. She lay down on the bed, fully clothed, leaving a large space beside her. Hayes sat back down in his chair and smoked. His expression was somber and tinged with melancholy. When Mia saw that he had no intention of joining her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

'In truth, Hayes really is a good person. At least he isn't forcing me to do anything or wishing for my death.'

The woman on the bed turned over, and soon, even breathing filled the room. Hayes quietly watched her slender silhouette, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of his lips. 'Perhaps in a few days, she won't think I'm a good person anymore.'

For several days in a row, Hayes left early and returned late. Each time he went out, he took only his bodyguards and Jensen, leaving Mia behind. She felt uneasy but did not dare to ask questions. A master's business was never a subject for them to pry into. As long as they returned safely every day, her heart was able replace some measure of comfort.

Hayes shared a bed with her every night but never made any advances. Each time she awoke, they were already gone. She wanted to replace an opportunity to ask Jensen about the situation, but she never had a chance to interact with him. Hayes forbade her from leaving the room, fearing danger. And since Jensen moved in, he had not set foot in the room again. So, she never saw him.

One day, Hayes brought her a glass of milk. He said, "You've been worrying so much lately that your complexion has suffered. Drink this milk and get some sleep early."

Mia stared at the glass of milk, feeling inexplicably anxious.

He observed her hesitation and laughed. "What? Are you afraid that I poisoned the milk?"

Mia shook her head. "Of course not." With that, she picked up the glass and drained the milk in one gulp. 'After all, if Hayes wanted me dead, he could have taken my life directly. He has no need for such underhanded tactics.'

Hayes smiled and gently stroked her long hair. "Good girl. This way, no matter what happens, you won't feel any pain."