Mag-log inEarly the next morning, Miranda and Felix agreed to meet in the hotel restaurant for breakfast.Miranda wore a tailored gray suit today, paired with crisp trousers. Her hair was pinned neatly at the back of her head, revealing her elegant face. She looked polished, capable, and effortlessly sharp.The hotel was filled with people attending the Young Leaders Forum, and Miranda had only just arrived when a man called out to her.“Dr. Stone? You’re Dr. Miranda Stone, right?”He looked polished and gentlemanly, but when he saw Miranda, he still couldn’t hide his excitement.“And you are?” Miranda asked with a polite smile.“I’m Julian Pierce, from the National Academy of Science and Technology. I’ve admired many of the arguments in your papers,” Dr. Pierce said, extending his hand. His tone was sincere and eager. “Your latest paper on neurodegenerative behavior was especially insightful. I’ve read it several times.”Only then did Miranda understand.She shook his hand.“You’re t
“Besides the conference in Hamilton next week, is there anywhere you especially want to go? Anything you want to eat?” Felix asked.Miranda thought about it.“We could probably set aside half a day to look around. As for food, there’s nothing I’m especially craving. We can just see what looks good.”“Okay. I’ll arrange it,” Felix said. Then he added, “I heard the fall colors at Maple Ridge are beautiful. We can go take a look.”Miranda’s eyes lit up slightly.She had always heard that Maple Ridge was beautiful in the fall. If she could see it for herself, the trip would be worth it.“Okay,” she said with a nod.She tilted her head back to look at him.From where Felix stood, her features looked delicate and refined, her lips soft and full, her skin pale and luminous. In the soft evening light, she looked almost like a painting.Miranda met his heated gaze.Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it felt as if a faint current passed silently between them.“What are you looking a
That evening, Miranda was reading documents in the upstairs sitting room when she heard Mia’s laughter downstairs, followed by Gigi’s excited barking.Her heart lifted at once, and she immediately headed downstairs.“Mommy, I’m home!”Mia came in wearing her backpack and a cute preppy outfit that looked especially good on her.Miranda walked over to take her backpack.Just as she turned around, Felix stepped inside.There was a smile in his eyes, warmer now, with a lingering tenderness that hadn’t been there before.Miranda didn’t meet his gaze.When she thought about everything that had happened at his place earlier, she still felt a little embarrassed facing him.It wasn’t that she couldn’t face him.It was just that after three years of divorce, the intimacy between them had long since reset to zero. If they wanted to rebuild it, they would need time to find their way back to each other, little by little.“Did you see the email?” Felix asked. “There’s a conference in Hami
“You should think very carefully before making that kind of decision,” Miranda said seriously.“I have thought it through,” Felix said. “Both of our families carry genetic risks. Not having more children is the best decision.”There was a determined look in his eyes.He had already made up his mind on the drive back.If this was what Miranda was worried about, then he would show her with his actions that she had nothing to worry about.“Medical technology is very advanced now,” Miranda said. “If you want a healthy child, there are ways. You don’t have to go that far.”She still didn’t want him to make that kind of decision.She was sure Susan wouldn’t agree to it either.“I don’t want another child.”Felix lifted her into his arms and sat down on the couch, settling her on his lap. His arms wrapped around her, holding her firmly in place.“Mia is enough for the Gibson family. I have her, and she has me.”His voice was low but firm.“The woman I love should be free to live t
Miranda looked away. She didn’t want to talk about this anymore.Her voice was dry when she said, “Grandma is gone now. None of this matters anymore.”“It does matter.”Felix suddenly cupped her face in his hands.“Mira, the only thing I’ve ever wanted is you. You, Miranda Stone. As for children, Mia is enough for me. I’ll raise her well. One day, she’ll be strong enough to carry the Gibson family forward.”Before Miranda realized it, tears had gathered in her eyes.She let out a quiet sigh.“This wasn’t just Grandma’s wish,” she said. “It was your dad’s too. You shouldn’t waste the rest of your life on me.”Felix’s eyes narrowed.“Who told you that was my dad’s dying wish?”Miranda looked up at him.“Wesley Quinn’s wife told me herself. She said she visited your dad before he passed, and that was what he said on his deathbed.”A cold flash passed through Felix’s eyes.Wesley Quinn’s wife?Since when did an outsider dare interfere in Gibson family business?He hadn’t eve
So Miranda had heard Grandma’s final wish?Was that why she had pushed him away so firmly?Before that, she had clearly been softening toward him. Then, all of a sudden, she had become so cruel and so determined.So this was the real reason?Both the Stone and Gibson families had histories of genetic illness. That meant any child between them would carry a high level of risk.Miranda would definitely never take that chance again.She didn’t want to hold him back, and she didn’t want Grandma’s final wish to become a lifelong regret for him. That was why she had pushed him away so heartlessly.“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Susan asked, growing worried when she saw the look on his face.“It’s nothing. There’s a misunderstanding between Miranda and me that I need to clear up.” Felix forced himself to stay calm as he comforted Susan. “Mom, I’ll come see you again another day.”With that, he picked up his car keys and walked toward the courtyard without wasting another secon
At eight that evening, Miranda asked Mrs. Young to stay downstairs with Mia while she took the video call in her study. Eugene’s old notebook sat open beside her.“Dr. Stone, thank you for taking the time to speak with me,” Dr. Smith said, adjusting his glasses as he flipped through a report on his
The text message came from an unknown number, but the tone made it obvious to Miranda who had sent it. It was Xena.Miranda stared at the message for a few seconds before replying, “Then keep your dog on a leash.”A response came almost immediately. “Miranda, aren’t you scared I’ll forward this to
“Well… I was planning to spend it quietly at home,” Miranda said.James smiled. “Celebrating with Mia?”“Yes. Just a small cake with her will be enough.”James nodded. “Alright. When you have time, we should have dinner together.”Miranda smiled back. “Sure.”At two o’clock, Miranda was analyzi
Felix sat on the sofa with the gift box resting in his hands. His fingers mindlessly brushed against the edges of the box. After a few seconds, he checked his watch, stood up, and headed out.Instead of taking the elevator, Felix took the stairs. Just as he pushed open the stairwell door, he heard







