My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart novel Chapter 1

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**He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**

**Oriana’s Decision**

“Ms. Sterling, your flight to Jindiwood is scheduled to depart in just fifteen days. Upon your arrival, a representative will meet you and escort you directly to city hall to handle the necessary paperwork,” a courteous voice informed her over the phone, the words echoing with a sense of finality.

“Alright,” Oriana Sterling replied, her voice barely above a whisper, punctuated by a small nod of acknowledgment.

Setting her phone down with a deliberate motion, Oriana lifted her gaze to the enormous hundred-inch screen that dominated her living space. The image displayed was of a man whose mere presence felt like a jolt to her heart, a visceral reminder of everything she had lost.

His hair was cropped short and impeccably styled, his brows sharp and defined, while his eyes radiated a clarity and command that could seize any room. The suit he wore was tailored to perfection, accentuating the strong lines of his tall, imposing frame. He moved with a grace that seemed effortless, and the gilded cane in his hand, topped with a leopard’s head, served merely as a striking accessory rather than a necessity.

Grant Holloway, the young prodigy, was a name that had become synonymous with innovation, propelling domestic AI technology into uncharted territories. Just months earlier, he had captivated audiences at an international tech conference, and within a mere two months, he had transformed into one of the most coveted figures in the industry.

As he exited the conference hall, a throng of reporters surged forward, eager for a glimpse of the man who had captured the world’s attention. “Mr. Holloway, you named your first independently developed AI software Aurora. Will there be a follow-up series under the same name?” one reporter inquired, his voice laced with excitement.

“No,” was Grant’s succinct reply, his tone clipped yet composed.

His gaze locked onto the camera, and for a fleeting moment, his striking features softened, revealing a glimpse of warmth that was rarely seen. “Countless stars form the aurora. It’s a name that holds significance for someone very dear to me,” he confessed, allowing the crowd to gasp in collective surprise.

Applause erupted, a wave of admiration washing over the audience.

No one had anticipated this revelation—the brilliant mind of the tech world openly declaring his affection for a woman.

But before the reporters could press for more, Grant stepped into his waiting car, vanishing from sight as quickly as he had appeared.

Oriana remained transfixed, the screen fading to black, yet the image of him lingered in her mind like a haunting melody.

Everyone was acutely aware of her infatuation with Grant.

She had pursued him with unwavering determination, undeterred by his indifference, the sharpness of his words, and the constant dismissal that had become a part of their dynamic.

Then came the fateful car accident that left Grant crippled, drowning in a sea of self-loathing. Oriana remained steadfast, enduring his cruel remarks, his icy fury, and the moments when his pain manifested in violence. She had not wavered, helping him to rise again, each painful step a testament to her unwavering commitment.

But everything shifted when the Sterling family welcomed home their biological daughter, Luna. The moment they learned that Luna had endured years of suffering, the family turned against Oriana overnight. They accused her of stealing a life of privilege that had never truly belonged to her.

Her world crumbled around her. The parents and brother who had once cherished her cast her aside without a second thought.

In her darkest hour, when no one else would stand by her, it was Grant—limping, bitter Grant—who carried her home on his back. He guarded the fragile flicker of hope in her heart with careful hands, even as he wrestled with his own demons.

And now, it was he who had extinguished that hope.

“Oriana, what has you so lost in thought?” a familiar voice broke through her reverie.

The man she had just watched on the screen now stood before her, his hand brushing gently against the back of her head, his deep-set eyes filled with concern.

“Sorry for not being there for you right away,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere. “Zara mentioned your grad school application didn’t go through.”

As was customary, he reached out to pull her into his arms, a gesture that had once brought her comfort.

But Oriana raised a hand, halting him mid-motion.

Her lips were pale, her gaze steady as it fell to his cuff.

The cufflink—a black pearl, a cherished gift she had given him during their freshman year, purchased with six months’ worth of hard-earned wages from her part-time job at the campus diner—gleamed in the light.

Next to it, a bold, unmistakable lipstick mark shone defiantly.

Grant followed her gaze, his brows knitting together in confusion. “Ivy tripped while trying to shield me from the press earlier. I helped her up, and that’s when it happened,” he explained, his voice tinged with irritation.

“I’ll have her reassigned. I don’t need a female assistant,” he added quickly, as if trying to soothe the tension in the air.

Then, attempting to lighten the mood, he teased, “What’s this, Oriana? Jealous?”

She swallowed the ache in her chest, forcing her eyes away from the incriminating mark. “No,” she replied, her voice steady but lacking conviction.

Grant chuckled softly, unconvinced by her denial.

She cared for him far too much; of course, she felt a pang of jealousy.

But admitting it felt like exposing a raw wound.

He playfully tapped the tip of her nose, a familiar gesture that once made her heart flutter. “You say no, but your heart says yes.”

Oriana’s lips curled into a faint smile, a flicker of warmth igniting within her. Yet, without preamble, she asked, “I’m twenty years old now. Doesn’t that mean I can finally stop depending on the Holloway family?”

After being cast out by the Sterling family, Oriana found herself without a place to call home. Her birth parents had long since passed away. It was Grant who had stepped forward, offering to take her into the Holloway family and become her legal guardian, a role he wore like a badge of honor.

Grant seemed to dismiss her concerns with a light-hearted chuckle, “Once we get married, you’ll still be part of the Holloway family. Changing labels seems pointless, doesn’t it?”

Married?

Oriana could only think that he had become far too immersed in his own charade. After three years, Grant had mastered the art of deceiving her with words that flowed easily from his lips, yet felt hollow in her heart.

The graduate school admissions list had already been finalized; everything had settled into place. He no longer feared that she might disrupt the delicate balance he had created.

Grant tapped her nose lightly before rising, making his way toward the master bedroom. “Tonight, I’ll whip up your favorite chicken wings and roasted lamb chops. And I’ll even let you indulge in some ice cream,” he declared, a hint of mischief in his tone.

He had always been strict about her dessert intake, warning her that sweets and cold treats were detrimental to her health.

Yet tonight, he was granting her a rare indulgence—like tossing a small pet a treat for good behavior.

A few minutes later, he returned, his tailored suit replaced with comfortable sleepwear, his steps uneven but steady. This time, he didn’t give her the chance to refuse. He pulled her into his arms with a force that made her heart race.

He inhaled the scent of her hair, clinging to it as if it were an addiction he couldn’t shake.

His low, husky voice brushed against her ear. “Losing the graduate spot doesn’t matter. You’ll ace the exam next time. Don’t be upset; I’ll help you prepare.”

He rubbed her head gently, a gesture of comfort that felt both familiar and foreign, before releasing her and slipping into the kitchen.

The sliding door closed behind him, and a single tear welled at the corner of Oriana’s eye, trailing slowly down her pale cheek, leaving behind a bitter taste in her mouth.