[60]

On the way home from the hospital, Miya looked out the window with a faint smile on her face. Damian, who was driving, gave her a quick glance. He knew it had been a long day for Miya, but that smile gave him peace of mind.

“Damian,” Miya called in a soft voice.

“Yes?” replied Damian, staying focused on the road ahead.

“I want to eat ice cream,” Miya said suddenly.

Damian looked over briefly with a raised eyebrow. “Ice cream? Now?”

Miya nodded. “Yes. I feel like I need something sweet.”

Damian gave a small smile. “Alright. But I don't want any interruptions. Just a moment.” He took out his cell phone and dialed someone's number through the car speaker. Soon, a man's voice answered on the other side.

“Yes, Mr. Sawyer?”

“I need you to arrange for the ice cream parlor downtown to be temporarily empty. I'll take my wife there in 20 minutes.”

“Of course, sir. I'll take care of it right away.”

Miya looked at Damian with her mouth slightly open. “You... booked a whole tavern just for us?”

Damian turned to her briefly and smiled softly. “I didn't want you to get annoyed. Besides, you deserve it.”

Miya shook her head softly, unable to believe Damian's over-the-top attitude, but her heart warmed. “You really have me confused, Damian.”

Damian just chuckled. “That is indeed my goal.”

When they arrived at the ice cream parlor, it was completely empty. The waitress greeted them politely and showed them to a table that had been simply decorated with small candles. Miya felt awkward at first, but Damian seemed relaxed. He pulled out a chair for her before sitting across from her.

“What would you like to order?” asked Damian as he opened the menu.

Miya glanced at the menu with sparkling eyes. “I'd like the chocolate and vanilla. Oh, and add strawberry topping.”

Damian nodded and ordered ice cream for both of them. When the ice cream came, Miya tasted it enthusiastically. “This is so good!” she said with sparkling eyes.

Damian smiled, happy to see her enjoying her food so much. He took his spoon and tasted a little of his own ice cream. “It's not bad,” he commented briefly.

“You don't have a sweet tooth, do you?” she asked.

Damian shook his head. “I'd rather see you enjoy it.”

Miya was silent, her face flushed. She tried to distract herself by taking another spoonful of her ice cream. They continued to eat leisurely, talking about light things until the atmosphere became more comfortable.

When they were done, they headed back to the car. On the way back, Miya started to yawn a little, signs of fatigue starting to show.

“Are you sleepy?” Damian asked gently.

Miya nodded slowly. “I think I'm too full.”

Damian glanced at her worriedly. “Do you want me to stop for a while? Maybe you'd better get some comfortable sleep.”

Miya shook her head. “No, I'd rather have you drive. I feel safe.” She smiled slightly, her eyes starting to close. “Thank you, Damian. For everything today. I've enjoyed getting to know Kayoko and your family.”

Damian felt his heart warm at that. “I'm glad you feel that way. Get some sleep. I'll wake you up when we get there.”

Miya nodded weakly before finally falling asleep. Damian glanced at her every now and then, making sure she was comfortable. Her peaceful face made Damian feel calmer, even though his mind was filled with growing responsibilities.

When they arrived home, Damian turned off the car engine and woke Miya up gently. “We're here.”

Miya opened her eyes slowly, still half sleepy. Damian helped her out of the car and held her hand as they walked into the house. However, they were surprised to see a middle-aged woman standing in the living room, with Kayoko beside her.

“Mom,” Damian called in a flat tone.

Hera Sawyer, Damian's mother, turned around with a sharp look. However, when her eyes met Miya's, her expression turned neutral, though it still seemed cold.

“So this is your wife?” Hera asked in a stern voice.

Miya felt her heart skip a beat. She tried to stand up straight, but her nervousness made it difficult for her to speak. “Good evening, Mrs. Sawyer,” she greeted softly.

Hera scanned Miya from head to toe before finally smiling faintly. “You look younger than I expected. How is your pregnancy going?”

Miya was surprised by the question, but answered immediately. “Fine, ma'am. Thank you for asking.”

Hera nodded, then turned to Damian. “We're having dinner together. I'd like to get to know your wife better.”

Damian gave a short nod. “Yes, Mother.”

During dinner, the atmosphere was tense at first. Miya tried to answer each of Hera's questions politely, though her nerves still haunted her. Damian, who was sitting next to Miya, continued to provide support by holding her hand under the table.

“So, Miya,” Hera said after a while. “What made you fall in love with Damian?”

The question made Miya pause for a moment. She glanced at Damian who gave her a small nod, as if to say that everything was fine.

“Damian is the one who always makes me feel safe,” Miya answered honestly. “He may look cold, but he's very caring and always makes sure I'm comfortable.”

Hera raised her eyebrows, looking surprised by that answer. However, she said no more. Instead, she started talking about her own pregnancy experience, trying to break the ice.

The dinner finally got warmer. Miya was relieved that Hera was beginning to accept her presence. After finishing, Hera spoke privately with Damian in the living room, while Miya chatted with Kayoko in the kitchen.

“You did great,” Kayoko said with a smile. “Mom is hard to approach, but I can see she's starting to like you.”

Miya smiled in embarrassment. “I just hope she really accepts me.”

Kayoko patted her shoulder. “Trust me, if Damian loves you, Mom will be supportive. He just needs time.”

Those words made Miya feel calmer. That night, she slept with a sense of relief, realizing that although the road was not easy, she had Damian by her side to face everything together.

***

That morning, sunlight streamed in through the cracks in the curtains, waking Miya up slowly. Damian was still sleeping beside her, his face looking calmer than usual. Miya smiled a little, feeling grateful to have a husband who despite the cold outside, always ensured her happiness.

She slowly got up from the bed, trying not to wake Damian. However, Damian was already awake and looking at her with half-opened eyes.

“Where are you going?” he asked in a raspy morning voice.

“Just going to the kitchen. I feel like making something for breakfast,” she replied softly.

Damian pulled her hand away, making her sit back on the edge of the bed. “No need. You just rest. I'll have someone prepare breakfast for us.”

Miya shook her head. “I want to try cooking for you. Besides, I feel better today.”

Damian looked at her for a moment before nodding. “All right. But don't push yourself too hard.”

After kissing his cheek, she made her way to the kitchen. There, she met Kayoko who was preparing coffee. “Morning, Miya!” greeted Kayoko cheerfully.

“Morning, Kayoko. Did you wake up first?”

“Of course. I'm usually an early riser. Anyway, I want to help prepare something for Damian before I go back to my house.”

Miya smiled. “I want to cook something for Damian, too. How about we do it together?”

Kayoko nodded enthusiastically. “Good idea! Let's get started.”

The two of them began to prepare the ingredients for the pancakes. Kayoko told them various things about Damian's childhood, including his strange solitary habits.

“Little Damian was very quiet,” Kayoko said as she stirred the batter. “But he always had a way to protect the people he cared about, even if it meant making sacrifices.”

Miya listened attentively, feeling like she was getting to know another side of her husband. The pancakes were done, and they set the table eagerly.

As Damian and Hera came downstairs to the dining room, the aroma of pancakes filled the room. Damian looked surprised to see Miya and Kayoko already preparing breakfast.

“You guys working together?” he asked with a small smile.

“Of course,” Kayoko replied. “And I'm sure these will be the best pancakes you've ever had.”

They sat together enjoying breakfast. Hera, who usually seemed serious, began to talk more casually. She even praised Miya for her efforts in cooking despite being pregnant.

“You're really considerate, Miya,” Hera said with a faint smile. “Damian is lucky to have you.”

Miya felt her heart warm at the compliment. “Thank you, Mrs. Sawyer. I just want to do my best.”

After breakfast, Damian took Miya for a walk in the small garden in the yard. They talked about future plans, including preparations for welcoming their baby. Hera and Kayoko joined them, creating a warm and laughter-filled atmosphere.

However, while Damian was talking to Miya, his cell phone vibrated. He glances at the screen and sees Marcus' name on it. Damian excused himself briefly before stepping away to take the call.

“What's up, Marcus?” he asked in a serious tone.

“Bad news, Damian,” Marcus answered on the other end. “Leonard Sawyer has escaped from the holding facility.”

Damian clenched his fists, his eyes turning sharp. “How could he? Isn't everything tightly organized?”

“We're investigating. But for now, I suggest that you don't tell anyone in the family. It could cause panic.”

Damian let out a long breath, trying to calm himself down. “Alright. I'll take care of this. Just make sure she doesn't go too far.”

After hanging up the phone, Damian returned to the park with a reassured look on his face. He didn't want Miya or her family to know what had just happened. However, in his heart, his anger flared up. Leonard had to be found before things got any more complicated.

Damian grasped Miya's hand gently, trying to calm her down. She looked at him with concern. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

Damian smiled and shook his head. “No, everything is fine. Let's continue the walk.”

Although Damian tried to hide his concern, Miya sensed that something was bothering her husband. However, she chose not to ask further, trusting that Damian would tell her when the time came.