Se connecterMiranda glanced at the time on her watch, then said to Felix on the couch, “You should go home and get some rest.”Felix rose to his feet and asked, “Can I take Gigi downstairs with me?”Before Miranda could answer, Mia chimed in, “Daddy, take good care of Gigi, okay?”Felix let out a low laugh. “I will.”He glanced at Gigi, and somehow the dog seemed to understand immediately. Gigi got up and trotted out with him.After Miranda got Mia to sleep, she went back to the study and organized the day’s notes. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Lena. The image of her lifting her face toward the birds in the sky lingered in Miranda’s mind. She must want more than anything to fly again, to return to the career she loved.The thought weighed heavily on Miranda. It made the responsibility on her shoulders feel even greater.The next morning, Felix took Mia to school, and Miranda headed to the lab a little later. It was late spring now, so she left dressed lightly. On the way there, she not
Miranda’s steps slowed slightly.She recognized the young woman. They had only met once, but the impression she had left was unforgettable. It was Lena Scott, the pilot. The last time Miranda had seen her, she had been in the hospital, striking and full of life, with an almost radiant confidence about her.How had she ended up in a wheelchair?Dr. Zeller finished his call and came back. When he noticed where Miranda was looking, he let out a quiet sigh.“She’s the granddaughter of an old friend of mine. She was a pilot with a very bright future ahead of her.” He shook his head. “A real shame.”Miranda couldn’t help asking, “Dr. Zeller, was it a flying accident?”Dr. Zeller’s gaze remained on Lena. His voice turned heavy. “Yes. The accident left her legs permanently disabled.” Then he looked at Miranda with quiet hope. “But if your brain-computer project succeeds, there’s a real chance it could eventually restore full function to her legs.”Miranda’s breath caught. She looked aga
Miranda had just gotten off the plane when her phone buzzed with a new message. She stopped walking and pulled it out. The moment she saw the photo of Gigi, she let out a long breath of relief.In the picture, Gigi was filthy, her head tucked against Felix’s waist, her eyes damp and still full of fear.The image made Miranda freeze for a few seconds.In her memory, Felix had always been a bit of a clean freak. Even back when she had brought Gigi home on impulse, and he had accepted it on the surface, Miranda knew he had never really been comfortable with having a pet in the house.She quickly replied, “Thank you. I know this took a lot.” Then she walked with Raymond toward the car waiting to pick them up.Felix looked at the message on his screen. It was only a few short words, but somehow it felt almost like praise.He lowered his eyes to Gigi, who was finally calming down in his arms.The effort had been worth it.When they got to the animal hospital, Gigi started trembling
The car sped off. On the way, Felix made several calls, reaching directly into city government and demanding that any processing of the dogs taken in the night before be put on hold.Who would have thought that the richest man in Atlantis City would use every bit of his power and influence for the sake of one dog?Zac slammed on the brakes, and the SUV came to a stop outside a run-down yard on the edge of town. This was the temporary holding facility. Before Zac could even get out to open the door for him, Felix had already shoved the door open himself and strode inside.A few workers inside had been sitting around drinking and chatting. The moment they saw him, they all froze.Faced with a man in an expensive suit and a face carved from ice, they had no idea what to make of him.The manager immediately thought of the call he had received twenty minutes earlier. He had been told that some rich man’s dog had gone missing and might be in his facility.He just hadn’t expected the ma
Mia stood there with her backpack on, her big eyes blinking as she looked from Felix to Miranda. She might have been small, but she was already learning how to read a room.“Mommy, what were you about to say to Daddy?” she asked, looking up.Miranda rubbed her head gently. “Mommy has to go to Hamilton for a meeting. Will you stay with Daddy for now?”“Okay. Then will you bring me back a present from Hamilton?” Mia asked, her face full of hope.“I will,” Miranda promised.Ever since Mia was old enough to recognize people, she had been especially attached to her parents and wary of everyone else. They had originally hired three nannies, but Miranda had eventually let them all go.When Mia was in one of her moods, not even Mrs. Young could pick her up. That was why Miranda and Felix had always handled most things involving Mia themselves. Over time, Miranda had also developed a habit of her own. Other than Felix, she still couldn’t bring herself to leave Mia fully in anyone else’s c
Miranda’s hope collapsed again, and disappointment washed over her. Behind her, Felix said gently, “Let’s keep going. We’ll check farther ahead.”They searched another stretch, then circled back to where they had started, but there was still no sign of Gigi. By then, it was already ten-thirty. Felix checked his watch and said to Miranda, “Go back and get Mia settled for bed. I’ll keep looking.”At that hour, Mia should already have been getting ready for sleep. And it was only Tuesday. She still had school the next day.“Okay.” Miranda nodded, then walked back to her car and drove into the garage.When she got home, Mia was still waiting for her on the couch. She looked up curiously and asked, “Mommy, didn’t Daddy come back with you?”Mrs. Young looked over at Miranda from the side. Miranda gave the slightest shake of her head, then said to Mia, “Come upstairs with Mommy. I’m going to take a shower, and then I’ll read you a story.”Mia blinked, then suddenly seemed to realize
At first, Wendy had been worried that Leo might be asking her to steal confidential lab data. But it didn’t take long for her to realize that all he cared about was whether Miranda had gone home on time, whether she had eaten, or if she was still working late. That was when it clicked. Leo had bas
That night, Miranda finally fell asleep with Mia nestled in her arms.The next morning, she received messages from both Leo and Mike. Leo congratulated her on winning an award at the medical conference the night before. He was away on a business trip, and Vivian had been taken back to her grandmo
Victor nodded thoughtfully. “It’s definitely something to keep an eye on, but we need solid proof before we take any action.”“And where are we supposed to find that proof?” Fiona sighed, glancing at him with frustration.“It’ll show up on its own eventually,” Victor said.A faint, knowing smile
Mike’s teammate didn’t live anywhere near there. He had given that address on purpose, just so he could accompany Miranda part of the way and make sure she got home safely.After watching her car disappear, he flagged down a taxi and headed home.Miranda carried her trophy into the house. Mrs. You







