MasukUnder the umbrella, it was just Felix and Miranda.Rain tapped against the wet ground as the cemetery staff finished setting the headstone and taking care of the final details.The rain was coming down harder now.One of the staff members walked over and said, “Mr. Gibson, you should both head back first. We’ll still need another hour or so here.”Felix nodded.Then he looked at Miranda.“Let’s go back.”Miranda nodded and lifted the umbrella a little higher. Almost instinctively, she tilted it more toward him.Felix reached over and took the handle from her.“I’ve got it.”Those simple words carried a quiet strength.Then he shifted most of the umbrella over Miranda’s head, leaving one of his shoulders exposed to the rain.The two of them walked down the slick hillside path together.When Miranda’s foot slipped, Felix immediately wrapped an arm around her and held her steady.For the rest of the way down, he didn’t let go.When they returned to the chapel, a staff membe
Miranda nodded.“I have time.”“Good. Then we’ll be in touch,” Samantha said. “I should get going too. I have a class this afternoon.”After seeing Samantha off, Miranda heard someone call her name from behind.“Miranda.”She turned in surprise.Leo stood behind her in a black suit. Hayden was beside him, also dressed in black.“It’s been a while, Miranda,” Hayden said politely.“Leo. Hayden. It’s been a while,” Miranda greeted them.Hayden turned to Leo.“I’ll leave you two to talk about your mom’s condition. I’ll head in first.”Leo looked at Miranda.“Are you busy? Do you have a few minutes to talk?”Miranda nodded, and the two of them sat down nearby.Leo told her about his mother’s recent condition. There was deep worry between his brows.His father had already passed away, and his sister had been sentenced to life in prison. Aside from his niece, Vivian, his mother was the only close family he had left.That was why he hoped so desperately that she would get bette
Out of the corner of her eye, Melanie saw that Miranda was looking at her.She sighed even more deliberately.“Before Susan’s husband passed away, I went to see him too. His final wish was for Felix to have a big family. He even said three sons would be best, though at the very least, there should be one.”“Exactly,” the wealthy woman agreed. “With a family this powerful, how can there not be a son?”“What a shame. It’s been almost ten years, and his wish still hasn’t been fulfilled.” Melanie sighed again. “And I heard from Susan that Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s final wish was the same. She hoped the Gibson family would have more children too. She wanted a grandson. If that never happens, wouldn’t both of them have left this world with regret?”Melanie’s voice was not especially loud, but it was clear enough for Miranda to hear.Miranda’s hand curled slightly on her lap.She had heard Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s final words with her own ears.She hadn’t expected Felix’s father to have wished for t
After the representatives from the Vice President’s office left, Miranda finally took Mia over.Felix crouched down in front of his daughter and took her hand.“Come with Daddy and say goodbye to Great-Grandma.”Mia followed him quietly, while Miranda stayed beside them.Felix helped Mia place a white rose beside Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s portrait. Then he stood with her for a moment of silence.After that, Miranda stepped forward and quietly said her own goodbye.Just then, Felix turned to her and said in a low voice, “I’d like Mia to stay with me.”Miranda nodded.Mia should stay by his side. After all, she was part of the Gibson family.“I’ll wait outside, then,” Miranda said.Felix parted his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he held it back.Miranda was not his wife anymore.Today, she had only come as a guest paying her respects.After Miranda turned and left, Mia held her father’s hand and stood with him in the receiving line.Many of the guests notic
For the rest of the day, Felix was busy.Miranda didn’t go over to his place and disturb him.It wasn’t until around ten that night that she received a text from him. He said he wouldn’t be coming back to the villa tonight and would be staying at the Gibson estate.Miranda stared at the message, her emotions complicated.Mia had already fallen asleep, but Miranda couldn’t sleep.Tomorrow was Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s funeral.Memories of Mrs. Gibson Sr. kept coming back to her. Mrs. Gibson Sr. had always been kind and accepting. She had never blamed Miranda, nor had she ever spoken a harsh word to her.Then Miranda thought about how peacefully Mrs. Gibson Sr. had passed, without much pain.That had been Felix’s decision too. He had chosen not to put his grandmother through unnecessary suffering. He had allowed her to pass naturally, with dignity.As for Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s final wish…Miranda’s eyes flickered in the dark.A clear, firm thought slowly rose in her heart.With Felix’s s
Felix crouched down in front of Mia and looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and a deep, quiet love.“How was school? Do you have homework?”“Yeah. I can handle it,” Mia said with a nod.She seemed more sensible by the day.Mrs. Young walked over and asked, “Sir, should I make you something simple to eat?”Felix nodded.“Yes. Thank you.”Miranda didn’t come downstairs.She let Felix spend some time with Mia, and let Mia keep him company too. Right now, he needed something to hold on to, and his daughter was probably the strongest reason he had to keep looking forward.Mrs. Young soon brought over a bowl of pasta, and Felix ate a little while keeping Mia company.At ten, Felix took Mia upstairs and helped her get ready for bed.“Daddy, can you tell me a story?” Mia asked softly.Felix looked at Miranda.Miranda nodded.“Stay with her for a while.”Miranda left Felix in the primary bedroom with Mia and went to sit in the study for a bit.At ten twenty, it was ti
“Brilliant!” Professor Leonard exclaimed, slapping the table in excitement. “That line of thinking is absolutely right.”Dr. Zeller chuckled and joined in. “See, Leonard? Didn’t I tell you this young woman is remarkable?”“Remarkable is an understatement,” said a female professor from across the t
When it came to Felix’s love life, Miranda no longer cared. The only condition was that he shouldn’t flaunt it in front of Mia.Miranda had recently realized that Mia was no longer a three-year-old. She was becoming more aware and more sensitive.Clenching her fists, Miranda decided it was better
Felix’s gaze lingered on Miranda, silently asking whether she had told Mia about the divorce.Miranda met his eyes for a few seconds. After six years of marriage, Felix could still read her look instantly.“Your mom’s been busy with work lately. Let’s let her rest,” Felix said gently to Mia.“Oka
Felix turned, the afternoon sunlight falling across him, but it did nothing to soften the forbidding aura that kept others at a distance.Just then, Gavin knocked and stepped inside. “Mr. Gibson, it’s time for your meeting.”Xena froze for a moment as Felix walked out of the office. Gavin came ove







