Se connecterEven after a divorce, a woman like Miranda was not someone people could casually gossip about.The actress adjusted her expression, wondering whether she should go over and introduce herself.After all, someone like Miranda was a valuable connection. If she could get acquainted with her, it would only be a good thing.Just then, a tall, imposing figure walked into the cafe lounge on the second floor of the boutique.He wore a perfectly tailored black suit. His face was strikingly handsome, his presence refined and magnetic, and the air around him carried a natural authority that quieted the room the moment he appeared.The actress’s eyes lit up at once, and she covered her mouth in surprise.Oh my God. It was Felix Gibson.Felix didn’t look at anyone else. He walked straight to Miranda’s table.Miranda looked up when she saw him, and the faintest smile touched her lips.Felix stopped beside her and lowered his head, his voice gentle.“Have you been waiting long?”“No.” Mir
At noon, Felix cooked lunch.When Miranda saw him go into the kitchen, he was still holding an iPad. He refused to let her help and wouldn’t let her into the kitchen either.Miranda guessed he was planning to learn as he cooked.So she left him alone. She took her phone outside to the swing in the yard and sat there with Gigi, scrolling on her phone while enjoying the sunlight.Gigi dug around in the grass by her feet, then started chasing butterflies, completely delighted.About half an hour later, Miranda caught the aroma drifting from the kitchen.She set down her phone, suddenly curious about what Felix had managed to make.She walked to the kitchen doorway but didn’t go in. Instead, she leaned against the doorframe and looked inside.Felix had his back to her and was busy at the counter. His dark-gray shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing his strong forearms. He was mixing some kind of sauce, his expression focused.Miranda narrowed her eyes slightly.It looked l
Felix let out a low laugh.“All right. My mistake. You can punish me however you want.”Miranda nearly choked again.Forget it. She wasn’t going to argue with him.Then she looked up and said, “I haven’t cooked in a long time, so lunch is on you.”That was what he got for sending Mrs. Young away.Felix narrowed his eyes slightly.“Do we have groceries? I can cook.”“No.” Miranda had checked earlier. There really was not much left.“Then let’s go to the grocery store later and pick up a few things,” Felix suggested quietly. “We won’t go out for lunch. Let’s just stay home today, okay?”Miranda thought about it.Gigi was almost out of dog food too, and she did not have anything else planned. A quick trip to the store sounded like a nice way to unwind.“Okay,” she agreed.After breakfast, it was still early. Felix cleaned up the kitchen while Miranda settled onto the couch by the floor-to-ceiling windows and turned on a documentary.Her long hair fell loosely around her shou
Gigi kicked and squirmed in Felix’s arms a few times before he finally set her down. The moment her paws hit the ground, she shook out her soaked fur.Felix was drenched too. His sweatshirt was completely wet, with several clear paw prints stamped across it.Miranda almost couldn’t hold back a laugh. Then she glanced at Gigi, who was already darting around mischievously nearby, and felt both amused and sorry for her.“Your clothes are soaked. Go back and take another shower,” Miranda said to Felix.Felix looked down at himself, then nodded.“Okay. Let’s go.”The two of them, plus one very wet dog, headed back home.Miranda had decided to give Gigi a bath once they got back.On the way back, Felix heard that Miranda was going to bathe Gigi. Since he was already wet anyway, he decided to help wash Gigi first before taking his own shower.There was a dedicated washing station for Gigi in the garden. Miranda brought out the supplies, and Felix crouched down, gently running his fin
Miranda and Felix walked out of the house side by side.The morning air was especially fresh after the rain, carrying the clean scent of damp earth and grass. The neighborhood was quiet too, with only a few older residents out for their morning walk.They headed toward the neighborhood park, taking in the scenery as they walked. Neither of them said much, but the silence between them felt comfortable.Gigi ran happily ahead, looking back at them every now and then.Walking together like this, peaceful and unhurried, felt almost like stepping back into the past.Only the girl who had once been young and impulsive was different now. She was calm, confident, and carried a quiet strength that made her seem fully capable of standing beside him as an equal.Things were no longer what they had been.And yet, somehow, it also felt like a new beginning.Suddenly, Felix’s hand closed around hers.His gaze lowered to watch her reaction.Morning light danced across Miranda’s lashes. Her
Miranda woke to the sound of a bird calling outside the window.As her mind slowly came back, she opened her eyes. Her vision was still a little blurry, but she could see the pale morning light filtering through the curtains.Then she realized, with a start, that her head was resting on Felix’s lap.His suit jacket was draped over her. Felix was leaning back against the couch, his head tilted slightly to one side, one arm propped behind him. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be sleeping deeply.Morning light fell across his sharp features, casting soft shadows over his face.His other hand was still resting loosely at her waist, as if he had been afraid she might turn over in her sleep and fall off the couch.Miranda’s heart skipped a beat.She stayed completely still as her mind slowly replayed everything that had happened the night before.She hadn’t expected to fall asleep so deeply beside him. Even more than that, she hadn’t expected herself to sleep through the entire
Samantha returned to the lab with Miranda but didn’t mention Felix’s demand to speed up progress. Instead, she spoke in a gentler tone, encouraging her to find balance while pushing for another breakthrough.Miranda was a sensitive person. Just yesterday, Samantha had promised her three days off, y
Miranda returned to her study and opened her laptop to review the latest lab data. Though she still felt weak, focusing on work helped her forget everything that weighed on her mind.Not long after, Sophie messaged her, asking about Celine. She had seen the obituary online.Miranda confirmed it wa
Miranda glanced at Coco, who immediately froze.Coco was silently relieved that she hadn’t said anything bad about her behind her back.Once Miranda left, Fiona’s expression darkened. It seemed true that Miranda had latched onto Leo, a powerful backer. No wonder she had started speaking so arrogan
Dinner ended on a warm, pleasant note.Leo politely pulled out Miranda’s chair as Mia and Vivian skipped ahead, hand in hand. Under the restaurant’s warm, gentle lights, the four of them looked like the picture of a happy family.“Thank you for your advice tonight, Mr. Lincoln,” Miranda said since







