As looked deeply into my eyes, nodded seriously, then embraced me. He gently asked, "Are you hungry? Let''s grab something to eat together."


    That was when I realized that I hadn''t eaten anything for a whole day. I had just sipped a ss of juice on the ne.


    "I''m famished," I replied coyly, leaning into his embrace. Suddenly, I feltpletely exhausted.


    Had I really gone through the whole day without food?


    There had been no chance for a peaceful, satisfying meal with all the chaos involving Oliver these past two days. He had risked his life to save me. Then, we had suddenly found my dad, and the constant flying back and forth had made mepletely forget about eating. While we were discussing that, someone gently knocked on the room door again. My mom''s voice came from outside. "Chlo, As, are you asleep? Do you want toe down and have something to eat?"


    I quickly retreated from As''s embrace, walked over briskly, and opened the door. "Mom! I''m starving! Is there any food?"


    "I asked the chef to cook some noodles. Come downstairs to eat." My mom stood at the doorway, looking at me apprehensively. "Is aglio olio okay?"


    "Perfect! I don''t know when Ist had a proper meal," I said, casually hooking my arm around my mom''s. I turned back and called to As, "Let''s eat! Quickly!"


    As followed me and my mom out of the room. Arnold came out and joined us too. He had probably heard all themotion.


    When we entered the dining room, I saw my dad at the table with the notebook beside him.


    As and I exchanged subtle nces. We thought that my dad probably had something to say.


    "Sit down, everyone." My dad greeted us, then looked at As. "Thank you for saving my life. It''s time to share everything with you all."


    Despite my eagerness to unveil this secret, hearing him say that made me feel a strange mix of emotions.


    I suddenly felt the cruelty of it all as I saw his helpless, deste expression,


    I also realized why my mom had been evasive and cautious when she was upstairs.


    At this moment, I wished I was just Chloe Hartz, unaware of all my past experiences. They could just be my loving, caring parents, too.


    As nced at my dad, pulled me to sit down, and addressed my dad. "It''s gettingte, Dad. Let''s eat and rest early Chlo hasn''t rested well these past two days either. We can discuss this another time. Besides, I''m sure you haven''t gotten any rest récently, and your health is


    important."


    As As spoke, my parents both seemed taken aback, their expressions revealing a hint ofplexity. But it was clear that they felt relieved.


    Arnold clicked his tongue twice. As he saw the rxed atmosphere, he held back the words he was about to say.


    I looked at As, feeling even morePublished by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ???


    conflicted. Attas had called a halt just when it seemed the mystery was about to be unraveled. I was displeased, and I didn''t understand his intentions. Nevertheless, K trusted him. There had to be a


    reason he was handling it this way.


    "That makes sense. You''ve all been through so much trouble because of me..." My dad sighed and lowered his head in regret.


    Just as the tension was building up, my mom arrived with freshly cooked pasta. Each of us got arge bowl.


    The aroma of the aglio olio wafted through the air, making my stomach growl even more. The beef on top looked exceptionally tempting, stimting my appetite.


    I had to address my empty stomach first. There was no reason for my parents to hide anything anymore since things had gotten to this point. It was only a matter of time.


    I epted the pasta my mom handed me and shed her a contented smile. "I need some chili kes, Mom."


    She quickly turned around and


    hurried to the kitchen, returning with


    the chili kes in hand. As she


    handed it to me, she didn''t forget to give me a gentle reminder. "It''s ate. You shouldn''t have food that''s too spiey."


    That thoughtful remark made my nose suddenly tingle a little. That was my mom alright. She had raised me with her whole heart for twenty years.


    I quickly lowered my gaze and added a few chili kes to my food. I savored the te of aglio olio, experiencing a vor I had never encountered before. It was the most delicious pasta I had ever eaten.


    As the noodles settled in my stomach, a warm andforting sensation spread throughout my body, and a feeling of fatigue slowly crept in. I started blinking more slowly.


    "You''re tired, huh?" As said as he looked at me tenderly.


    I nodded. "Yeah, I''m exhausted. I need a good night''s sleep."


    I just wanted to lie down and fall asleep. I waspletely uninterested in whatever my dad wanted to talk about.