Mag-log inMiranda 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
Miranda accepted the glass and took a few sips, but it didn’t help much.She curled up on the couch, hugging a throw pillow as she quietly endured the ache in her lower abdomen.Felix watched her for a moment.Then he returned to the couch, wrapped one arm around her, and pulled her into his embrace, letting her lean against his chest.Miranda started to struggle, but Felix’s voice came low and gentle, leaving no room for argument.“Don’t move. Didn’t you agree to let me keep you company?”As he spoke, his broad palm covered her cold lower abdomen through the thin silk of her blouse.Miranda stiffened.The heat from his hand slowly seeped through the fabric, easing the dull ache in her stomach.She let out a soft breath, and her tense body gradually relaxed in his arms.Outside, rain beat against the windows, and the air carried a damp chill. But somehow, in the living room on this rainy night, she felt strangely safe.Felix adjusted his position so she could lean against hi
Miranda glanced at her watch.It was already nine thirty.She looked up and said, “I’m going to the study for a bit. If you’re free, take Gigi out to the garden for a walk.”A smile touched Felix’s eyes.“Sure. I’ll take care of Gigi. Go do your work.”Just then, lightning flashed outside the window, as if warning them that a heavy storm was about to roll in.Miranda quickly said, “Never mind. Don’t take her out. Just let her stay inside.”She didn’t want Gigi getting caught in the rain either.“It’s already so late. You still have work to do?” Felix suddenly asked.“Mm,” Miranda answered.Just then, another bolt of lightning split the sky, followed almost immediately by a sharp crack of thunder. Miranda startled.“You should go back,” she said to Felix.She turned to head upstairs, but before she could take a step, a warm hand closed around her wrist.“It looks like there’s going to be a storm tonight,” Felix said quietly. “Let me stay with you.”“No need. Go back and ge
In the dim shadows, Miranda’s mind had gone completely blank.By the time she came back to herself, her fingers had somehow curled tightly into the front of Felix’s shirt. Only then did she remember they were still standing by the road.Embarrassed and flustered, she pushed him away.“Are you done?” Miranda asked, lowering her eyes, irritation slipping into her voice.To her surprise, Felix let out a low laugh.“Not even close.”The night breeze brushed against Miranda’s face, clearing her head a little. She turned away, only to realize her face had gone completely red.Gavin’s car was parked less than thirty feet away.Which meant everything that had just happened had a witness.Felix noticed her embarrassment. He turned and walked toward the car.A moment later, Gavin got out of the driver’s seat and quickly flagged down a cab before leaving.Miranda froze for a second.Soon after, Felix got behind the wheel. The silver Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up beside her, smooth and
Felix gave a helpless smile. “I just wish I hadn’t made that trip so unpleasant for you.”“If you knew you were such a nuisance, why did you still follow me there?” Miranda said, annoyed.A flicker of determination crossed Felix’s eyes, along with a possessiveness he kept carefully hidden.“Even if you didn’t want me there, I still had to go.”Besides, it was not as if Miranda had only pushed him away once. No matter how many times she had done it, he had never truly backed down.Miranda was briefly speechless at his brazen answer.But when she thought about it, ever since their divorce, no matter how cold she had been to him or how deliberately she had kept her distance, Felix had never truly left her and Mia’s lives.He always found a way, and a reason, to show up in front of her again.Like a shadow she could never quite shake.“If I hadn’t gone that time, would you have ended up with Leo?” Felix suddenly asked, his voice a little muffled.Miranda froze.She thought back
Felix narrowed his eyes, a hint of self-awareness stirring deep in his gaze.Mia stepped into the yard, then paused and turned. In the next moment, she ran right back to the gate. She stood under the glow of the streetlamp and called out, “Daddy, why aren’t you coming in?”Miranda’s gaze turned
Miranda stared at Felix's retreating back, feeling a surge of anger rise straight to her chest.She stepped into the elevator and immediately stiffened when she realized he was still inside. He leaned against the handrail with his phone in hand, not even bothering to press a floor. Miranda walked i
“How could I miss such an important event?” Leo said with a smile. “Looking for a seat? Sit with me.”Miranda nodded, and they eventually settled in the third row. Leo turned to her with a faint grin. “I thought you’d be the one giving the presentation today.”Miranda unscrewed her water bottle
Miranda understood why Leo was apologizing. She offered a small smile. “It’s fine.”Her calm expression only made Leo feel guiltier. Even he had to admit he had crossed a line today.“I should get going. You head back,” Miranda said. She opened the car door and got in.Leo leaned down slightly. “







