Chapter 282 Meet Him Again
Byron smiled softly as Mia’s face lit up with delight. It was a rare sight—Mia’s usual stoic expression was replaced by genuine excitement, and it made his heart warm in a way he hadn’t expected. He glanced over at Alice, who still seemed nervous but was watching Mia carefully.
“See? She likes it,” Byron said, his tone more relaxed now.
Alice, still a little unsure, nodded. “I just don’t want her to eat too much…” she murmured, glancing nervously at Mia.
Mia, oblivious to Alice’s concern, eagerly took another bite, savoring the flavors. “This is the best food I’ve ever had!” she declared with a wide grin.
Byron chuckled softly, enjoying the moment. He was used to the polished, composed Mia—the little girl who rarely let her emotions show. Seeing her like this was a refreshing change. It reminded him of the innocence children still carried before the weight of the world bore down on them.
“Mr. Crawford, you’re spoiling her,” Brad teased, watching the scene unfold.
Byron gave him a half-smile but didn’t comment. Instead, he focused on Mia, who was now holding onto his arm, looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Mr. Crawford,” Mia said in a small voice, her gaze serious as she pointed to the other dishes on the table. “Can I try them too?”
Byron raised an eyebrow but didn’t hesitate to pick up another plate of food. “Of course, but only a little bit at a time,” he said, cutting a small portion from a dish and offering it to her.
Mia took the bite eagerly, her face lighting up again. “Yum! I like it!” she exclaimed, a little more animated than usual.
Alice, now standing off to the side, breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that Mia’s adventurous eating might cause a scene, but Mia seemed content and well taken care of. She smiled, though the unease from earlier still lingered in her chest. It wasn’t just Byron’s presence—it was the way he seemed so natural with Mia, like they had known each other far longer than just a few minutes. It left her wondering just how much he truly knew about the little girl.
“She’s quite the little foodie, isn’t she?” Brad remarked, giving Byron a teasing smile.
Byron’s gaze shifted to Alice, who was watching them with a subtle apprehension. “She’s not just a foodie. She’s a smart little girl, and I think she knows exactly what she wants.”
Mia, hearing the comment, looked up at Byron with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I know what I want!” she said proudly.
Byron raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And what is that?”
“I want to try more food!” she said, grinning from ear to ear.
Everyone in the room chuckled at her boldness, and even Alice couldn’t help but smile at Mia’s infectious energy. The tension in the air began to dissipate as everyone relaxed into the moment.
“Alright,” Byron said, wiping his hands on a napkin before getting up. “Let’s get you a bit more, but remember—only a little more. We don’t want you to spoil your dinner.”
Mia clapped her hands excitedly as Byron returned to the table, picking up another dish. She followed him closely, her small hands reaching out for more. Alice, seeing the lighthearted exchange, finally gave in and stepped closer, though still keeping her distance.
“You sure she’s alright?” Alice asked, her voice hesitant but less tense than before.
Byron, sensing the unease in her tone, gave her a reassuring look. “She’s fine, Alice. Mia’s a tough one. Don’t worry about her.”
Mia, having had her fill of food for now, looked up at Alice with a smile. “I’m not scared of him! He’s nice!” she declared, before returning to the food with renewed enthusiasm.
Alice’s heart softened as she watched the bond forming between Mia and Byron. Despite everything, she had been protective, thinking that Byron’s world was too complicated and unpredictable for a child like Mia. But maybe she had been wrong. Maybe Mia, in her innocence and honesty, saw something in Byron that Alice hadn’t noticed before.
Byron, noticing Alice’s gaze, gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod, as if to reassure her. “She’s in good hands, I promise.”
Alice, for the first time since stepping into the room, allowed herself to relax just a little. There was something calming about Byron’s presence, something steady that made her feel, even if just for a moment, that Mia would be safe in this strange, unfamiliar environment.
“Alright, Mia, let’s not eat too much, okay?” Alice said softly, walking over to her.
Mia, full and content, nodded and reached for Alice’s hand. “Okay, Alice. But we can come back here later, right?”
Alice smiled, her worries slipping away for the time being. “We’ll see,” she said gently. “We’ll see.”