Chapter: 2453

Rowland's response was calm, steady. "They're adults. They can find their way back here on their own."

She had to admit—he had a point.

"Mia," he said suddenly, his gaze serious, unwavering. "Come back with me."

What he really wanted to say was, "Marry me." But the words felt too plain, too ordinary. A proposal like this—casual, of fhand-wasn't right.

Mia was still young, still in that stage of life where romance mattered, where every moment deserved to be something special. He wouldn't let her look back years from now and regret that the day he asked her to be his was anything less than perfect.