MasukFelix’s gaze deepened at once.Miranda was dressed casually in soft, light colors, giving her a gentle, warm, almost homey feel.Just then, Mrs. Young came back.Seeing that Miranda was home, she smiled and said, “Ma’am, you all sit for a while. I’ll start making dinner right away.”“Mrs. Young, do you need any help?” Miranda asked.“No need. It’s still early. I can manage on my own.”Mrs. Young had no intention of interrupting the family’s time together.She went into the kitchen and even closed the door behind her.Miranda sat down beside Mia and didn’t interrupt her as she concentrated on her blocks.Just then, Felix looked at her.“Are you free the night after tomorrow?”Miranda immediately understood what he meant.His birthday.“Yes,” she answered.Mia looked up at Felix in confusion.“Daddy, why don’t you just tell Mommy that the day after tomorrow is your birthday? Mommy already promised me she would get you a present.”Felix raised his brows slightly.A trace
Back home, it was already morning.Miranda packed the materials she had left from working overtime the night before into her laptop bag. When she went downstairs, Mia was still on the living room couch, playing a guessing game with Gigi.A wave of guilt rose in Miranda’s heart.Because of work, she still spent too little time with Mia.She set down her laptop bag and walked over to Mia.“I’ll get off work earlier today and spend time with you.”“Mommy, Daddy’s birthday is coming up,” Mia said, looking up at her. “Are you going to get him a birthday present?”Miranda froze.Felix’s birthday?That was right.August twelfth was his birthday.During their marriage, she had remembered it every year. But after three years of divorce, she had already forgotten. Or rather, she had stopped making a point of remembering that date.“Okay,” Miranda said with a nod. She rubbed Mia’s head. “I’ll get him a gift. What about yours? Do you need Mommy to help you prepare one?”“No. I’m going
From the beatings she had endured as a child to the neglect she had suffered as a teenager, Zoe had never truly acted like a mother.It was only after Xena attached herself to Felix and turned her life around that Zoe had slowly started acting as if she cared.But now, Zoe’s words made Xena understand the truth.Even after all these years of giving her mother a comfortable life, paying for her home, her food, and everything she needed, she had still not earned even a trace of genuine concern from her.And yet, she was Xena Spencer.She had once been adored by millions of fans and praised as an internationally celebrated concert pianist.With her pride, how could she let herself fall this far?“Xena, what about Hayden?” Zoe suddenly said. “Hayden always liked you, didn’t he? I know he’s married now, but you could still reach out to him. If he helped you out just a little, it would be enough to cover my debts, wouldn’t it?”“Shut up!” Xena screamed.Her voice was so sharp it alm
“If you don’t believe me, ask your mom,” the man said. “She knows exactly how much she owes.”Xena believed him.After all, he had been running his store in the neighborhood for seven or eight years. He had no reason to make up a lie like this.“I’ll pay it for her,” Xena said, taking out her phone.The man quickly pulled out his own phone to receive the transfer.Once the sixty thousand went through, he seemed to soften a little and gave her a word of advice.“Next time, tell your mom not to gamble if she doesn’t have the money.”After closing the door, Xena felt her heart sink.In just half a month, she had already dealt with two different groups of Zoe’s creditors.She still had money, but she had no intention of throwing it all into the black hole of Zoe’s gambling debts.Half an hour later, Zoe came home.When she saw Xena sitting on the couch, guilt flashed across her face.“Xena, have you eaten?”Xena stared at her coldly.“How much debt do you actually owe out the
Felix took the jacket from her and draped it naturally over his arm. Then he picked up his iPad.“Let’s go check on James.”The two of them left the lounge one after the other.In the hallway, Gavin immediately stood up from the chair outside and stepped forward to take the iPad from Felix.James was awake too. He was reading through some documents, and he looked much better than before.“Miranda, you and Mr. Gibson should go handle your work,” James said. “You don’t need to stay here with me.”Miranda hesitated.Coco spoke up. “Miranda, go back to the lab. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on him. If anything happens, I’ll call you.”Felix said to Miranda, “I’ll drive you back to the lab.”Miranda had no choice but to nod.“Okay. James, I’ll head out first.”Then she turned to Coco. “Call me if anything happens.”After they left the hospital, Felix drove Miranda back to the lab himself.Once they arrived, Miranda changed into her lab coat and headed toward the research area,
Sunlight slipped through the half-drawn curtains, scattering small patches of light across the floor.Felix sat on the couch on the other side of the room, leaning back with an iPad in his hand. Global market data moved across the screen in real time, the red and green candlestick charts reflected faintly in his dark eyes.Every now and then, his fingers moved across the screen as he analyzed the numbers and made notes.But after a while, his attention drifted to Miranda sleeping nearby.Miranda hadn’t slept well the night before. On top of that, her period was due soon, and that always made her more tired than usual.Now, she was sleeping deeply.Her lashes rested quietly against her skin. Without her usual coolness and guarded expression, she looked softer than ever, peaceful and completely unguarded.Felix’s gaze gradually deepened.He forced himself to look back at the iPad screen.A little while later, Miranda shifted in her sleep. She turned from lying on her back to lyi
Later that night, the research team sent Miranda the profiles for the first group of trial participants. As she looked down the list of names, one stood out immediately. Melody Zimmer, the woman Miranda had met before. She was the devastated mother with two sick children.Miranda remembered the d
Miranda frowned slightly. “Mrs. Gibson, I would rather not discuss my personal life.”Susan paused, realizing only then that she no longer had any right to pry into Miranda’s private affairs. She let out a quiet sigh.“You are right. I should not have asked.” She gave a small nod toward the house.
It was said that Haley was hosting a grand birthday party for Vivian this year.Knowing that, Sienna stopped worrying. She was certain Miranda would not be there tonight.She headed to the boutique to meet Susan, determined to look stunning this evening.After returning home, Miranda helped Mia g
Later that afternoon, once Miranda and Samantha finished the report, her phone buzzed. She expected another work message, but when she looked at the screen, she paused.Mike had texted her.“Miranda, I’m having a package delivered today. Please make sure you receive it.”Miranda blinked, surprise







