LOGINMiranda’s hand paused around her water glass.She looked up at the man across from her, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.“Of course not. I’m just not that picky about food.”Felix thought about it and realized she was right.Miranda had never been picky. She was simply disciplined and self-controlled, even with food. In that sense, she was exactly the same as she was at work.Felix ordered a few dishes to share, all based on Miranda’s tastes, then added a dessert he thought she would like.Dinner was quiet and pleasant.When dessert came, Miranda picked up her spoon and took a bite. It was lightly sweet, not too rich, and exactly the kind of thing she liked.Felix’s gaze rested on her as he quietly drank his coffee.For a moment, the atmosphere between them was peaceful and warm, wrapped in a faint, gentle sweetness.After dinner, they took a walk down a nearby historic street lined with old brick storefronts and warm streetlights.By the time they returned to the hotel,
Felix caught that tiny smile from across the table, and the corners of his mouth curved too. Just like that, his whole mood brightened.After breakfast, the two of them headed to the main conference hall.At the opening ceremony, a senior official from the National Science and Technology Council and two National Academy fellows gave speeches one after another. The audience was filled with young leaders from different fields, and the atmosphere was energized and inspiring.Miranda and Felix were not seated together.As a special guest representing the investment world and a leading young entrepreneur, Felix sat near the front. Miranda, attending as a representative from the biomedical field, was seated on the other side of the hall.When the morning session broke for refreshments, conversation immediately rose all around them.Miranda was discussing the earlier presentation with another researcher when a warm hand suddenly settled on her shoulder.She looked up and saw Felix stan
Early 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
“Sienna, I won't be coming over,” Xena said over the phone. “Have a wonderful time with your family.”“But—”“Don’t worry. I won’t give Miranda a chance to get close to Felix. Believe it or not, one call from me, and he’ll be gone in under three minutes.”With that, Xena hung up.Sienna frowned,
Miranda jingled her car keys as she searched for her vehicle. Under the dim light of the overpass, a white Porsche Cayenne blinked its hazard lights in response.Mike walked around to the passenger side and got in. His long legs looked a bit awkward in the confined space, so he adjusted the seat un
Miranda scrolled through the research report on her phone, completely absorbed.At nine forty-five, Felix’s assistant approached from the elevator.“Ms. Stone, Mr. Gibson is waiting for you in the conference room.”Miranda looked up in surprise. It seemed the front desk had already notified the e
“Wow! Mommy, look at the fireworks over there!”Miranda smiled, cheek to cheek with Mia. “They’re beautiful.”By ten that night, Mia was fast asleep. Miranda slipped into a soft robe and sat on the couch with a medical journal in hand.Her phone buzzed.“Is Mia asleep?” The message was from Feli







