Se connecterThe pool extended from the terrace on the first floor of the villa and connected to the indoor living area through a set of floor-to-ceiling glass doors.The clear water shimmered under the afternoon sun, and Mia was already in the pool with a float around her waist, splashing happily.“Daddy! Mommy! You’re here!” she called out excitedly when she saw both of them appear together.A flash of surprise crossed Sienna’s eyes too.A month ago, she would never have dared to imagine a scene like this.Now, she felt the thing she had been hoping for might really have a chance.Felix tossed his towel onto a lounge chair, walked to the edge of the pool, and dove straight in with clean, effortless movements.Water splashed up around him.In the blink of an eye, he had already swum underwater for a short distance. When he surfaced beside Mia, water slid down his short hair and face.“Daddy, you’re amazing!” Mia clapped her hands in admiration.Felix wiped the water from his face and loo
When they reached the beach, Miranda looked at Mia splashing through the shallow water and couldn’t help smiling.It really had been a long time since she had taken Mia out to relax like this.“Daddy! Mommy! Come here!” Mia waved her hand happily. “The water is so cool!”Miranda took off her shoes and stepped toward the water.When the tide rushed over her feet, she realized too late that her dress was too long.She let out a soft gasp and quickly gathered the flowing skirt above her knees.Her long, slender legs were instantly revealed.A few feet behind them, Felix stood quietly in the sand, watching the three of them through his sunglasses.When he saw that rare flicker of panic on Miranda’s face, the corner of his mouth curved into a smile.He folded his arms.The sea breeze lifted the hem of his linen shirt and ruffled his silver-gray hair.He stood there quietly, taking in the bright, vivid scene before him.The people in front of him were the most important people in
Over the weekend, Miranda prepared for the trip.She bought sunscreen for Mia and packed plenty for herself too. A summer trip to the beach always made her feel as if she needed to bring every kind of sun protection possible before she could relax.Mia was excited too.She packed her own little travel bag with her favorite dresses, and Miranda was happy to let Mia experience the fun of packing for herself.Felix was busy over the next two days. He had several things to take care of before the trip.At nine thirty on Tuesday morning, Felix’s private plane was ready.Mia was practically bouncing with excitement.Sienna wore a casual maxi dress, while Felix was dressed simply in a white polo shirt and dark casual pants. He looked relaxed and vacation-ready as he stood beside the boarding stairs, speaking with the pilot.A little later, Gavin and three of Zac’s men arrived as well.The flight wasn’t long. It was smooth the whole way, and two hours later, they arrived at the island
“They’re two antiques I picked up at auction,” Felix said. “Grandma will like them.”Miranda’s heart gave a slight jolt.If they had come from an auction house, they definitely hadn’t been cheap. Still, she had to admit the gift was thoughtful.But when she thought about Felix giving a seven-figure gift while she was only taking him out to dinner in return, it felt as if he was taking a huge loss.“I should still pay you back.”Miranda hadn’t expected to owe him such a big favor without realizing it.Felix glanced at her through the rearview mirror and shook his head with a smile.“If you feel bad about it, just buy me dinner a few more times.”Miranda paused.There was a hint of teasing in his voice, but there was also something serious beneath it.Clearly, he was giving her a way out.Miranda pressed her lips together.She knew there was no point in continuing to argue. If she kept pushing, it would only seem pretentious.She lowered her head and looked at Mia’s peaceful
That reply made Felix laugh in exasperation.There was a hint of helplessness in his voice when he asked, “Do we really have to keep score like this between us?”Miranda pressed her lips together.It wasn’t that he needed the money. She knew he didn’t. But she couldn’t just accept his kindness as if it were something she was entitled to.It was a habit she had developed over the past three years. No matter what happened, her first instinct was always to draw a clear line.“It’s not about keeping score,” Miranda said, her voice clear but firm. “I just don’t want you paying for my gift. It’s for Grandma’s birthday, after all.”Felix took two steps toward her, closing the distance between them.He was tall, and the light behind him cast a faint shadow over her.“Do we really have to draw such a clear line between us?” he asked, his voice lower than before.Miranda looked up into his eyes and couldn’t find a reason to argue.Still, using his gift as her own really didn’t feel rig
Mia’s innocent, unfiltered comment was like a small stone dropped into a quiet lake. In an instant, ripples spread through everyone’s hearts.Everyone at the table looked toward Miranda and Felix at the same time.Miranda’s face flushed at once.Her skin was already fair, and against the champagne-colored gown, the blush on her cheeks looked even more obvious.A soft laugh escaped Felix.He crouched down and rubbed Mia’s head.“Is that right?”“Yeah!” Mia said. “Mommy is so pretty, and Daddy is so handsome.”Then she asked curiously, “When are you going to get married again?”As soon as she said that, everyone froze again.“Mia,” Miranda finally found her voice and tried to redirect Mia’s curiosity. “Are you hungry? Come eat with Mommy.”Sienna glanced at Felix and secretly made a little cheering gesture.Felix gave her a helpless but indulgent smile. Then he said to Mia, “Mommy is hungry. Let’s eat with Mommy first, okay?”“Okay!” Mia nodded obediently.Mrs. Gibson Sr. s
Felix’s move had unexpectedly shifted Zion’s view of him so dramatically.“Uncle Zion, you might be giving him too much credit,” Miranda could not help saying.Zion chuckled on the other end of the line. After a few more words, they hung up.The return trip was on a commercial flight. Ben took go
Miranda picked up her phone. “You have one minute to leave, or I’m calling the police.”Xena’s smile froze. “Miranda, I’m not here with bad intentions.”“You approached Mia as my ex-husband’s mistress, and you’re telling me you mean no harm? I don’t mind blowing this whole thing up and letting eve
“Thank you, Vivian.” Mia beamed as she accepted the flowers. The two little girls hugged each other happily.“You did an amazing job tonight,” Leo said, smiling warmly. “I’m very proud of you.”“Thank you, Uncle Leo,” Mia replied politely.Miranda also nodded gratefully. “Thank you for the flower
Xena froze for a moment. Then a smile with unmistakable provocation curved her lips. She turned back toward the mirror, deliberately showing off the flawless line of her bare back.“Ms. Spencer is also here to try on wedding dresses,” the sales associate said casually. “Are you friends?”“No,” Sop







