Chapter 227: The Heart That Never Let Go
As Stan continued eating, savoring each spoonful of Mia’s delicious tomato stew and rice, the warmth of the meal spread through him like a gentle embrace. The flavors were rich and comforting, but nothing compared to the quiet intimacy of sitting beside her in this modest living room, the soft press of her thigh against his on the couch, the occasional brush of her braided hair, the way her full, heavy breasts rose and fell with each breath under the thin spaghetti-strap gown.
Suddenly, Mia turned to him fully. Her warm brown eyes locked onto his with intense, pleading vulnerability, shimmering with hope, lingering traces of earlier tears, and something deeper, almost desperate.
The soft lavender fabric clung to her insane curves, the generous swell of her breasts straining noticeably as she leaned closer, her voice soft but urgent.
"Stan... will you come to a night party with me? Please?"
From across the room, Mrs. Edith looked up from her seat, a surprised but knowing expression crossing her kind face. "I thought you said you didn’t plan on going?"
Mia didn’t break eye contact with Stan, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. "I didn’t want to go before... but with Stan here now, I want to. I want to spend more time with him. Just... catch up properly."
Edith sighed softly, a mix of understanding and quiet concern flickering in her eyes. She watched her daughter, the way Mia’s entire demeanor lit up around Stan, playful and alive in a way she rarely was with others.
’She really does miss him that much, huh...’ Mrs Edith sighed.
Right from childhood, Stan had been Mia’s medicine. The two had been inseparable, same school, same class, best friends who played for hours while Mia’s parents worked. With Stan, she was bold, teasing, and full of life.
Without him, she turned timid, almost withdrawn, a version so different that even her own father had struggled to reconcile the two sides of his daughter.
Edith trusted Stan deeply; he had always handled Mia’s heart with care. Even after nine years, she hoped that trust still held. Still, a mother’s worry lingered, she prayed this reconnection wouldn’t tip into something obsessive, for both their sakes.
"So... will you come with me, Stan?" Mia asked again, her voice carrying a subtle tremble of emotion, her hand lightly resting on his arm as if afraid he might slip away.
Stan paused mid-bite, setting the spoon down. He turned to her with a teasing smile, his eyes sparkling with affection and a hint of mischief. "So my Mia is a party girl now? Having fun with others without me all this time?"
Mia nudged his shoulder playfully, though her expression faltered for a split second. "You bastard," she shot back, a pout forming on her full lips. "I clearly said I didn’t want to go before!"
One could see the playfulness in her tone, but Stan caught the flicker beneath it, a flash of genuine hurt in her eyes, quickly masked. His teasing had landed heavier than intended.
’I only said that as a joke... Don’t tell me she took it seriously.’ The thought unsettled him. ’We’re not dating or anything... Does she see us that way already?’
The realization stirred something complex in his chest, warmth, surprise, and a growing awareness of the depth of her attachment.
Then he thought of something, Mia’s beauty was undeniable; the system had once rated her a solid 9.0, and sitting this close, with her curves so temptingly displayed and her emotions so raw, it was easy to see why.
Deciding to test the waters, Stan mentally triggered the binding.
[Binding Successful.]
The notification flashed across his vision, crisp and glowing.
[Reward: 10% Shares of Dominion United.]
’Dominion United?!’ Stan’s heart thumped hard with sudden excitement. Dominion United, a world-class football club that rivaled the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, PSG, Bayern Munich, and the rest. Even a single percent stake in such a powerhouse was massive, financial security on an entirely new scale, influence in the sporting world, endless opportunities. But he pushed the rush aside; there would be time to process that later.
He immediately followed up with another silent command: ’Show me Mia’s current favourability level..’
The interface responded instantly:
[Mia Madelyn: Favourability 110]
’What the fuck...’ Shock rippled through Stan.
One hundred and ten?! That was dangerously high, borderline obsessive, yandere territory. Only Sophie and Amelia had reached levels like this before, and even then, it had taken intense effort, and dominance, to build.
But Mia... her feelings had apparently simmered at this intensity for years, nurtured quietly through childhood memories and longing across nine long years of separation. No grand gestures needed. No seduction or power plays. Just... him.
The realization hit like a wave, humbling, intoxicating, and slightly unnerving in its purity.
Mia was still watching him intently, her pleading eyes searching his face, unaware of the invisible system windows floating in his perception. The emotional weight in the room thickened, her hope, the lingering grief over her father, the joy of reunion, all blending into something potent and vulnerable.
Stan reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of her braided hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her soft cheek. His voice dropped low, sincere, the teasing gone. "Of course I’ll go with you, Mia. I’d follow you anywhere tonight if it means more time like this. I’ve missed my favorite crybaby more than I can say."
Her face lit up instantly, fresh emotion glistening in her eyes, relief, happiness, and that deep, unspoken devotion shining through. She leaned into his touch, her full breast pressing warmly against his arm for a moment. "Really? Thank you, Stan... You have no idea how much this means. I didn’t want to go alone, but with you there... it’ll feel right. Like old times, but better."
Edith smiled softly from her chair, though her eyes held a motherly caution. "Just be safe, both of you. And Stan, take care of her. She’s been waiting for this day longer than she’ll admit."
"I will, Aunt. I promise." Stan gave Mia’s hand a reassuring squeeze, his mind still reeling from the favourability reading. The air between them felt charged now, tender on the surface, but laced with deeper currents of desire, possession, and years of pent-up affection.
Mia nudged him again, lighter this time, her playful side returning. "See? You’re still the only one who can make me change my mind so easily. Now finish eating, I want you full of energy for tonight. And maybe... tell me more about these big projects of yours on the way?"
Stan chuckled, picking up his spoon again, but his gaze lingered on her curves, her hopeful expression, and the invisible 110 glowing in his mind. "Deal. But only if you promise not to cry if I tease you again."
"I make no promises," she replied with a watery laugh, resting her head briefly on his shoulder once more. The emotions swirled, joy, nostalgia, budding heat, at this point without knowing it, they were already healing old wounds together.
