LOGINMiranda didn’t go back.But once she returned to her room, her mind cleared a little, and she realized she had chosen the wrong moment to say those things to him.Today was the day they had buried Mrs. Gibson Sr.She shouldn’t have said all of that when he was at his most vulnerable, when he was still drowning in grief.She wanted to apologize, but then again, it no longer seemed necessary.If she wanted him to start a new life, then this was how it had to be.Her right hand, the one Felix had pressed against his face, still seemed to feel hot.Miranda frowned.Had that really been his normal body temperature?Or was he running a fever?The thought immediately caught hold of her.She tried to remember Felix’s condition earlier. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something had been wrong. He had looked unwell. His emotions had been unstable. And he had knelt there like that.But he was an adult.If he was sick, he would go to the hospital.If he was exhausted
Even though Miranda hadn’t pushed him away, Felix could feel it.In her heart, she had pushed him away again.It was as if she had decided she didn’t want him anymore.Miranda took a step back, putting some distance between them. But Felix’s arms remained around her, keeping her within reach, as if he couldn’t bear to let her go.Miranda drew in a deep breath. Her gaze didn’t waver as she looked into his eyes.“Felix, you’re a good man. I’ve seen everything you’ve done lately. But I’ve thought it through. We’re not getting remarried, and we’re not getting back together.”Felix’s throat moved.His pupils tightened, and a flash of vulnerability crossed his eyes.“Why?” His voice was strained. “Why can’t we be together again? We don’t have to get remarried. I told you before, the paperwork doesn’t matter. What matters is us.”He drew a shaky breath and continued, “As long as we’re together, that’s enough.”Miranda suddenly pushed him away and took another step back. She folded h
Under the umbrella, it was just Felix and Miranda.Rain tapped against the wet ground as the cemetery staff finished setting the headstone and taking care of the final details.The rain was coming down harder now.One of the staff members walked over and said, “Mr. Gibson, you should both head back first. We’ll still need another hour or so here.”Felix nodded.Then he looked at Miranda.“Let’s go back.”Miranda nodded and lifted the umbrella a little higher. Almost instinctively, she tilted it more toward him.Felix reached over and took the handle from her.“I’ve got it.”Those simple words carried a quiet strength.Then he shifted most of the umbrella over Miranda’s head, leaving one of his shoulders exposed to the rain.The two of them walked down the slick hillside path together.When Miranda’s foot slipped, Felix immediately wrapped an arm around her and held her steady.For the rest of the way down, he didn’t let go.When they returned to the chapel, a staff membe
Miranda nodded.“I have time.”“Good. Then we’ll be in touch,” Samantha said. “I should get going too. I have a class this afternoon.”After seeing Samantha off, Miranda heard someone call her name from behind.“Miranda.”She turned in surprise.Leo stood behind her in a black suit. Hayden was beside him, also dressed in black.“It’s been a while, Miranda,” Hayden said politely.“Leo. Hayden. It’s been a while,” Miranda greeted them.Hayden turned to Leo.“I’ll leave you two to talk about your mom’s condition. I’ll head in first.”Leo looked at Miranda.“Are you busy? Do you have a few minutes to talk?”Miranda nodded, and the two of them sat down nearby.Leo told her about his mother’s recent condition. There was deep worry between his brows.His father had already passed away, and his sister had been sentenced to life in prison. Aside from his niece, Vivian, his mother was the only close family he had left.That was why he hoped so desperately that she would get bette
Out of the corner of her eye, Melanie saw that Miranda was looking at her.She sighed even more deliberately.“Before Susan’s husband passed away, I went to see him too. His final wish was for Felix to have a big family. He even said three sons would be best, though at the very least, there should be one.”“Exactly,” the wealthy woman agreed. “With a family this powerful, how can there not be a son?”“What a shame. It’s been almost ten years, and his wish still hasn’t been fulfilled.” Melanie sighed again. “And I heard from Susan that Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s final wish was the same. She hoped the Gibson family would have more children too. She wanted a grandson. If that never happens, wouldn’t both of them have left this world with regret?”Melanie’s voice was not especially loud, but it was clear enough for Miranda to hear.Miranda’s hand curled slightly on her lap.She had heard Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s final words with her own ears.She hadn’t expected Felix’s father to have wished for t
After the representatives from the Vice President’s office left, Miranda finally took Mia over.Felix crouched down in front of his daughter and took her hand.“Come with Daddy and say goodbye to Great-Grandma.”Mia followed him quietly, while Miranda stayed beside them.Felix helped Mia place a white rose beside Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s portrait. Then he stood with her for a moment of silence.After that, Miranda stepped forward and quietly said her own goodbye.Just then, Felix turned to her and said in a low voice, “I’d like Mia to stay with me.”Miranda nodded.Mia should stay by his side. After all, she was part of the Gibson family.“I’ll wait outside, then,” Miranda said.Felix parted his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he held it back.Miranda was not his wife anymore.Today, she had only come as a guest paying her respects.After Miranda turned and left, Mia held her father’s hand and stood with him in the receiving line.Many of the guests notic
Miranda slipped her phone back into her bag and walked over to Felix and Mia building sandcastles.“Mama, look. Daddy made this castle for me,” Mia said, pointing proudly at a small mound of sand.Miranda smiled at her. Since it was rare for her to take Mia out on a holiday like this, she tried he
Miranda gave a small, apologetic smile. “Sorry, James. The decision came together pretty suddenly. I just haven’t had the chance to tell you yet.”James let out a quiet sigh. He knew how stifling it must have been for her to work under Felix’s lab, so he could not blame her.“I get it. I really do
Felix slid into the back seat, his fingers tapping twice against his knee. He checked his watch. “Go to the city museum.”Gavin pressed down on the accelerator and headed straight in that direction.About half an hour later, Mike’s car arrived first. He and Mia walked with Miranda across the wide
Mrs. Wood felt a warmth in her chest. Miranda really did think about other people first.“Alright, I will head out now. Eat a little more,” she said with a cheerful smile before stepping outside.Miranda had barely eaten at noon, and she was starving. She had just taken a bite of the pastries when







