Chapter 7: You Got it Wrong Again

Mia looked at the meat near her mouth, turned her head away, and sighed lightly, "You got it wrong again. I am your step mom!" While saying this, she reached out and pushed against his gradually approaching forehead, pushing him away. Finn, caught off guard, stumbled backward as Mia pushed him, losing his patience and grabbing Mia's chin. Just then, a plate descended from above, "Excuse me. Meal is served!" Startled by the loud voice, Finn let go of her, angrily glaring at the waiter and scolded, "Can't you see I'm discussing serious matters? Don't you have any sense?" The waiter placed the plate on the table, looking troubled, not knowing whether to stay or leave, and was momentarily flustered. Mia glanced at the four different but beautifully crafted desserts on the plate, swallowing her saliva, "Pack it up! I can't finish it now. Let's not waste it." The waiter looked at her worriedly, but Mia slightly shook her head, and he reluctantly picked up the plate and left. Finn couldn't force Mia to do anything in public. Mia's attitude was clear. Reluctantly, Finn ate the meat hanging on his fork and returned to his seat. "Mia, do you understand your situation? My father has had a stroke. His life hangs in the balance. You, having married in, are neither favored nor welcomed. Now you are like a target for others!" Mia hummed lightly while enjoying her steak, acknowledging his words. She knew he would try to manipulate her with his charm now. "Don't take it lightly. My dad had three wives before you. They all bore children for him. But what happened to them? Do you know?" Mia's fingers trembled slightly; how could she not know? Like them, she too ended up in the same fate – her family broken, her life in ruins. Aria probably knew this would happen and pushed her forward as a shield. "They all died! Died!" Finn stood up, hands on the table, "Mia, you're still young and beautiful, especially since you're my... my beloved. How can I just watch you jump into the fire pit!" Beloved? Him? Mia involuntarily clenched her fists tighter. "Stop just eating, at least pay attention to me!" Finn reached for her cutlery, then held her slightly cold hands. "Mia, only I can help you here, please believe me, I will always stand by your side!" "Let go!" Mia's voice trembled as she growled. Finn looked at her, surprised and slightly frowning. "I... I want to eat ice cream now!" Mia, trying to cover her emotions, lowered her head and took the slightly melted strawberry-flavored ice cream nearby. "Stop eating. It's melted! If you're with me, I can buy you strawberry ice cream every day!" Finn pushed away the ice cream in front of her, his eyes hopeful. Mia sighed, looked up helplessly at him, "Finn, it's impossible between us! Besides, what does my life or death have to do with you?" "You..." Finn angrily slapped the table, "You're regret!" "The ice cream..." "Is that all you know?!" Finn pushed the ice cream back in front of her, huffed coldly, and walked to the rooftop edge to smoke. Mia looked at the ice cream in front of her, shaking her head regretfully. Even though it was a bit melted, the sweet and sour, chilly taste was still refreshing. She thought back to when she was a young girl, secretly admiring him, always trying to create interactions between them. That time, the strawberry ice cream was the most beautiful memory left between them. Although she hated him, her love had been real. Mia couldn't completely ignore the faint hope she still had for Finn in her heart. "If I had known this would happen, why did it even start?" If only he had protected her and her family as he claimed, perhaps their relationship wouldn't have come to this. After finishing the last bite of ice cream, the waiter came over with a packed box of desserts, "Madam, here are the four desserts you ordered, you can refrigerate them if you can't finish today." "Thank you!" Mia stood up to take it, but a wave of dizziness struck, almost making her lose her balance. "Careful!" Someone's voice came from behind. Mia clutched the dessert box tightly with one hand and frantically grabbed at the table with the other, trying to find something to hold onto to prevent herself from falling. Finn quickly wrapped his arms around her, suddenly getting soaked with a spilled drink. Mia in his arms was worse off, her white T-shirt stained with the colorful, almost translucent liquid, the half-soaked fabric outlining her form. "What are you looking at!" Finn glared at the lingering waiter. "She..." "She's drunk!" Finn started to explain, then realized he shouldn't have to explain to a stranger, and growled fiercely, "She's my girlfriend. If you keep staring, I'll call the police!" While speaking, he draped his coat over Mia and picked her up to leave. "Wait!" The waiter called out to him. "What now?" Finn looked back impatiently. "You haven't paid the bill yet," the waiter said with an awkward smile. "Worried I'll run out on the bill?" Finn scoffed, continuing to glare. But with Mia in his arms and her bag slung over his shoulder, he couldn't reach for his phone to pay. He sighed, "Look, I'm Finn, the son of the developer of this building. Charge it to my account, and Hudson will clear the bill next time!" After saying this, he glared at the waiter again. The waiter, looking mischievously amused, didn't say anything more and watched them leave. Finn, holding Mia, reached the elevator, managed to pull out his phone with one hand, and dialed a number, "I've handled it here. What floor are you on? Just tell me the room number!" A seductive voice came from the other end, "Hurry over to Room 2615! The show is about to start, and we're just missing you, my leading lady!"