Whether Chloe forgave him or not, Arthur was determined to finally act like a father. "Chloe, Robert, I was just passing by. When I heard you were here, I thought I'd stop in." Arthur placed a bouquet of roses on the table. "I had these specially prepared for you. I hope you like them." Chloe just watched his performance, her face calm. "Robert, Dad bought you a cake. It's a special new flavor the shopkeeper told me about. They only make three of these a day." Arthur smiled as he set the cake box down, his gaze warm as he looked at the boy in the chair. "I know I've been too busy with work before. I never got to celebrate your birthdays properly. Let me make it up to you today. Just tell me where you want to go, and I'll take you—anywhere you want." "Really?" Robert stared at him, a spark of hope in his eyes. A small grin started to form."Of course. Name it, and I'll make it happen. Whatever it is." No matter if he was asking for money or making other requests, Arthur wanted to do his duty and tried his best to be a good father. He didn't hope for Chloe's forgiveness; he just wanted to make up for what they had been missing over these past six years. It was the only thing he could think to do for them now. "I want to..." Robert began, then deliberately paused. He glanced at Chloe and Oralia, then looked straight at Arthur and fired back. "I want to go to Mars." Oralia had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. He had said exactly what she was thinking. Arthur's face froze. It took him a moment to recover. He forced a gentle smile. "Robert, let's be serious, okay? I'm trying to have a real talk here." "You started the jokes. Why should I be serious with you?" Robert's expression cooled, his tone dripping with impatience. "I..." Arthur was at a loss for words."Back then, that old woman Madilyn called me bad luck. She had problems with Mommy, and she hated me even more. Now she has a real grandson and a daughter-in-law who's just like her. Mr. Myers, you should hurry back home to your new family. Don't stick around here. Who knows what might get 'leaked' to the press next." "Robert, how can you talk like that? Do you usually—" Arthur almost blurted out that Chloe must have taught him to speak this way, but he swallowed the words. He'd been down this road before. More than once. Robert's words were sharp, but they weren't wrong. His mother had often sneered that Robert was a lost cause and mocked Chloe as some country girl with no class who couldn't raise a proper child. But was that really true? Robert's school results spoke for themselves. He'd even skipped grades straight from kindergarten. If that wasn't proof of intelligence, what was?"Chloe, I know showing up like this is out of line. And about the stuff online—don't worry. I'll take care of it." Arthur lowered his voice. "I just want to have a meal with you. Maybe share some cake with Robert. That's all I'm asking." "Mr. Myers, is your real name Mr. Question Mark?" Robert tilted his head, feigning innocence. Arthur looked confused. "What?" "Then why do you have so many questions?" Robert fired back. Arthur fell silent. He had come to apologize and make things right. Robert's sharp replies made him want to disappear. Being roasted by his own son—if word got out, the humiliation would be complete. He swallowed his pride. He told himself this was his last chance. He didn't need their forgiveness. He just wanted a little more time with them. "I'll get the cake ready," Arthur said, stepping forward to unwrap the box.Chloe watched him for a moment, then turned to Oralia. "Oralia, take Robert to the car and wait for me." "Got it." Oralia stood up. No questions asked. She took Robert's hand and led him out. Robert didn't even glance at the cake. He followed Oralia out without another word. That left Arthur standing alone. Suddenly, it was just him and Chloe there. Chloe remained seated at the table. Arthur stood before her, feeling like a scolded child. "Chloe, what do I have to do for you to forgive me?" The question burst out of him, raw and unplanned. Chloe didn't answer. Instead, she signaled a server, paid the bill quickly, and prepared to leave. Seeing her about to walk away, Arthur reached out and grabbed her hand. "Chloe!" His voice came out rough and strained.Chloe didn't pull away. She just glanced down at his hand on her wrist. It wasn't the first time he'd held her like this.