登入For one horrifying second, he genuinely thought he might have to answer his mother's question. Maybe just tell her the truth; he’s still pursuing Melissa. Unfortunately, he had absolutely no idea how to answer it in a way that won’t make the situation awkward or complicate things for Melissa. She’s still Miranda’s best friend after all. And judging by recent events, it might have already been affecting the girls’ relationship.Thankfully, before he could embarrass himself, Mr. Jones stepped in."Oh, leave the boy alone."Mrs. Jones looked at her husband."What?"Mr. Jones shook his head."It's too early. They've just got together. Let the children enjoy themselves first. Don’t add the pressure of meeting the parents yet. That's exactly how parents scare relationships away."Mrs. Jones narrowed her eyes.Colin immediately nodded."Exactly, Mom."Mrs. Jones rolled her eyes. She didn’t exactly agree with them, but she had no choice but to let it go. “Don’t stay out late,” She reminded
The room remained frozen.Miranda stared at her father.Mr. Jones stared back.Mrs. Jones stared at Mr. Jones.Clara stared at everybody.Even Colin looked like someone had just announced the moon was moving into their backyard."What?" Miranda repeated.Mr. Jones immediately raised both hands."Fake together, okay?"The room remained silent."Fake," he emphasized again. "Not real. I’m not going to force you into a relationship. I understand that you have to love someone to be with them. I mean… look at me and your mom…"Colin frowned. He knew his Dad was about to start telling the story of how they met. "Dad, please.""What?""I don’t…""Listen to me first,” he interrupted Colin. Mr. Jones set down his coffee cup."The entire city already believes Noah is the father of the baby."Nobody argued.Because it was true.One reckless declaration from Noah had already created a wildfire.Everybody is now talking about it. Mr. Jones continued."There’s no way we can deny that now without
A soft knock sounded on Miranda's bedroom door."Miranda?"She stirred beneath the covers.The curtains were partly open, allowing sunlight to spill across the room.Another knock followed."Madam?"Miranda slowly sat up."Come in."The door opened, revealing Aunt Felicia carrying her usual warm smile."There you are."Miranda blinked sleepily.“I already said you should stop calling me that.” “But, you’re my ‘madam’ and my lady. ” Miranda smiled. "What time is it?""Late enough for your family to start worrying."Miranda immediately looked embarrassed."Oh."Aunt Felicia laughed."They let you sleep. Everyone agreed you needed the rest after the stress you went through at the event yesterday.” Miranda rubbed her eyes."How long have they been awake?""Hours."Miranda groaned."Nobody wanted to wake you," Aunt Felicia continued. "But now everyone is getting concerned because you still haven't eaten."Miranda pushed aside her blanket."I'll freshen up and come downstairs.""Good."
The ballroom was still buzzing long after Miranda, Noah, and the Jones siblings had left.If anything, the atmosphere had become worse.Because Adrian Cole had completely lost his mind.“Delete it!”He pointed at a man holding up his phone.“I said delete it!”The man immediately took two more pictures.The flash went off.Adrian nearly lunged at him.“Are you deaf?”Another flash.Another phone.Another video.More whispers.More recording.More gossip.The more Adrian shouted, the more people filmed him.At this point, he was bleeding from the mouth, his shirt was disheveled, one side of his face was swollen, and his hair looked like he'd gone through a hurricane.Which only made him look even more entertaining.“Delete everything!”Someone laughed.Someone else whispered.“Keep recording.”Another phone appeared.Adrian looked ready to murder somebody.Unfortunately for him, the internet loved disasters.And tonight… He was the disaster.“Adrian.”Richard grabbed his shoulder.“Lea
Miranda hesitated. It was as if she were trying to control herself… maybe from saying something so hurtful. She couldn’t resist the urge in the end. “There’s nothing I wanted to say that I haven’t said… except that I didn’t appreciate you making a ridiculous sacrifice for me. This is my mess; I’d sort it out myself, so I’d advise you to sort yours as well before things get out of hand.” Her response even made everyone more confused. “Can we go now, really?” Miranda said to Colin. “Sure… yes… ermmm. We can. We should. They are bringing the car.” Miranda looked at Noah briefly. She looked disappointed. Same as Noah. He looked really hurt. “Noted. Let me know when you get home,” Noah said. Not sure who the statement was for because after what Miranda just said to Noah, Colin didn’t think it should be for her. And it can’t be for him either because they don’t do that before… maybe it was for Clara, he concluded. But then, Colin raised an eyebrow.“You aren’t going with us?”“
Melissa heard the question, but in her head, the answer came instantly.Yes.Yes, it really was.Because how was she supposed to say it?How was she supposed to explain that while Adrian was punching people and Miranda was being humiliated and Noah was getting dragged into chaos, she was somewhere else entirely?With Richard.And even now, standing under everyone’s eyes, she could still feel the echo of that mistake sitting heavy in her chest.But she said nothing.Because the truth would only make things worse.Everything looked normal until Noah arrived about an hour ago. Everything shifted with his arrival.Maybe it was just for Melissa because every other person treated him like he was royalty. But when he looked at Melissa, there was this killing gaze that almost sent her jumping off a cliff. The air changed.Melissa’s fingers tightened slightly around her clutch. The last time at the Jones’s house, he had warned her not to mess with Colin’s heart. He said Colin had been hurt b
Colin stared at her for a second.Then his lips slowly curved.Miranda noticed immediately and hated herself for reacting like that.“What?” she asked, trying to sound normal.“Nothing,” Colin said, but his smile did not disappear.“Colin.”“I said nothing.”“You’re smiling.”“I smile sometimes. I’
“Yes.” Melissa swallowed. “Since the last time I came here, things have been… weird.”Miranda looked down at her fingers.She could have said no immediately.But that would not be completely true.She was not angry at Melissa. Not really. She was hurt that Melissa had someone she liked and had no
The day of Clara’s event arrived with the kind of brightness that made the whole Jones mansion look too beautiful for anyone to stay indoors. The house had been active since morning. Their parents also had a reunion to attend, so they had to dress up, making everywhere bubble. Stylists had come
Colin’s reaction was immediate.His eyes widened slightly, then he let out a short, disbelieving laugh.“What?” he repeated, as if trying to confirm he had heard her correctly. “Melissa… and Noah? Are you serious right now?”Miranda blinked at him, studying his face carefully.He didn’t look just s







