My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart novel Chapter 244

Chapter 244 Pay Respects

One by one, the tough, weathered men turned to look at Oriana. Their faces lit with joy, but before long, their eyes reddened. One after another, they ducked their heads, trying to hide the tears that betrayed them.

Only Bryan–and the perpetually bewildered Barry–managed to stay composed.

Bryan pointed at the others and burst out laughing. “See? I told you you’d all cry. You didn believe me.”

One of the men shot back through his tears, “Like you didn’t cry when you first saw her?”

“I did cry,” Bryan admitted with a grin, “but not nearly as hard as the lot of you.” Laughter rippled through the group, breaking the heaviness in the air.

After the teasing subsided, Bryan finally turned his attention to the man standing quietly beside Oriana.

Micah’s sharp brows and clear, deep–set eyes lent him a quiet strength. His bearing was unmistakably refined–disciplined, composed, with the posture of someone who’d undergone rigorous training.

The only imperfection was his damaged eyesight.

But none of them judged him for that. To these men, dignity mattered more than anything- if a person could face life without self–pity, he was already a man worthy of respect.

Bryan nodded approvingly. “Oriana, your husband is a fine one–steady, capable. Where do you work, Micah?”

Micah, normally distant and reserved, showed rare deference toward these men who had once followed his father–in–law into battle. “I work in the AI department at the research center,” he said simply.

That one line sent a stir through the group.

Everyone knew that the research center’s Al division was one of the most competitive in the country–a place where even the brightest minds struggled to gain entry. And here was a man with impaired vision, not only accepted but thriving there. It spoke volumes about his intelligence, perseverance, and strength of character.

Their expressions softened further, admiration replacing curiosity.

“Well,” one of them said, “you’ve done well, young man. Oriana chose wisely.”

O

1/3

Micah inclined his head slightly, his voice steady and low. “Thank you, gentlemen. I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure Oriana is happy!

Oriana turned toward him, her heart swelling. Her fingers tightened around his hand.

The men all nodded, smiling broadly as they continued their slow walk up the hill, chatting quietly.

Among them, some–like Bryan–came to visit the captain’s grave every year.

Others had traveled from far away, able to pay their respects only once every few years.

They paid their respects in turn. Some bowed their heads in silence, the weight of remembrance heavy in the air.

Even Barry, usually restless and impatient, stood as still as a stone, staring at Oriana and the black–and–white photograph engraved on the tomb for a long, silent moment.

Finally, it was Oriana’s turn. She led Micah forward to pay their respects.

Micah stood with solemn respect, his head bowed and shoulders still.

It made Oriana’s chest tighten.

When he finished, he didn’t rise immediately. Instead, he faced the tombstone–Niall and Rory’s names etched deeply into the stone–and murmured something under his breath.

After a while, Oriana gasped softly.

Micah squeezed her arm gently. “I’m fine,” he said with a faint smile. “It’s only right to pay my respects before your parents‘ tombstone for the first time.”

“Thank you,” Oriana whispered, her throat tight.

He shook his head. “They were heroes. They deserve no less.”

Niall needed no introduction. And Rory–who had spent over a decade teaching in a remote, impoverished region–had devoted her life to education and lifting others up.

Oriana stayed quiet, her heart too full for words.

When it was time to leave, everyone straightened in unison. As one, they raised their hands

in salute.

Watching their solemn faces, Oriana’s eyes overflowed, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.

O

2/3

*****

Afterward, the group went to a local restaurant called Rustic Thyme–a modest but well- known place in Jindiwood.

The owner, Randolph Ballard, had once been one of Niall’s comrades. He’d lost a leg in a rescue operation years ago.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify