MasukFelix let out a low laugh.“All right. My mistake. You can punish me however you want.”Miranda nearly choked again.Forget it. She wasn’t going to argue with him.Then she looked up and said, “I haven’t cooked in a long time, so lunch is on you.”That was what he got for sending Mrs. Young away.Felix narrowed his eyes slightly.“Do we have groceries? I can cook.”“No.” Miranda had checked earlier. There really was not much left.“Then let’s go to the grocery store later and pick up a few things,” Felix suggested quietly. “We won’t go out for lunch. Let’s just stay home today, okay?”Miranda thought about it.Gigi was almost out of dog food too, and she did not have anything else planned. A quick trip to the store sounded like a nice way to unwind.“Okay,” she agreed.After breakfast, it was still early. Felix cleaned up the kitchen while Miranda settled onto the couch by the floor-to-ceiling windows and turned on a documentary.Her long hair fell loosely around her shou
Gigi kicked and squirmed in Felix’s arms a few times before he finally set her down. The moment her paws hit the ground, she shook out her soaked fur.Felix was drenched too. His sweatshirt was completely wet, with several clear paw prints stamped across it.Miranda almost couldn’t hold back a laugh. Then she glanced at Gigi, who was already darting around mischievously nearby, and felt both amused and sorry for her.“Your clothes are soaked. Go back and take another shower,” Miranda said to Felix.Felix looked down at himself, then nodded.“Okay. Let’s go.”The two of them, plus one very wet dog, headed back home.Miranda had decided to give Gigi a bath once they got back.On the way back, Felix heard that Miranda was going to bathe Gigi. Since he was already wet anyway, he decided to help wash Gigi first before taking his own shower.There was a dedicated washing station for Gigi in the garden. Miranda brought out the supplies, and Felix crouched down, gently running his fin
Miranda and Felix walked out of the house side by side.The morning air was especially fresh after the rain, carrying the clean scent of damp earth and grass. The neighborhood was quiet too, with only a few older residents out for their morning walk.They headed toward the neighborhood park, taking in the scenery as they walked. Neither of them said much, but the silence between them felt comfortable.Gigi ran happily ahead, looking back at them every now and then.Walking together like this, peaceful and unhurried, felt almost like stepping back into the past.Only the girl who had once been young and impulsive was different now. She was calm, confident, and carried a quiet strength that made her seem fully capable of standing beside him as an equal.Things were no longer what they had been.And yet, somehow, it also felt like a new beginning.Suddenly, Felix’s hand closed around hers.His gaze lowered to watch her reaction.Morning light danced across Miranda’s lashes. Her
Miranda woke to the sound of a bird calling outside the window.As her mind slowly came back, she opened her eyes. Her vision was still a little blurry, but she could see the pale morning light filtering through the curtains.Then she realized, with a start, that her head was resting on Felix’s lap.His suit jacket was draped over her. Felix was leaning back against the couch, his head tilted slightly to one side, one arm propped behind him. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be sleeping deeply.Morning light fell across his sharp features, casting soft shadows over his face.His other hand was still resting loosely at her waist, as if he had been afraid she might turn over in her sleep and fall off the couch.Miranda’s heart skipped a beat.She stayed completely still as her mind slowly replayed everything that had happened the night before.She hadn’t expected to fall asleep so deeply beside him. Even more than that, she hadn’t expected herself to sleep through the entire
Miranda accepted the glass and took a few sips, but it didn’t help much.She curled up on the couch, hugging a throw pillow as she quietly endured the ache in her lower abdomen.Felix watched her for a moment.Then he returned to the couch, wrapped one arm around her, and pulled her into his embrace, letting her lean against his chest.Miranda started to struggle, but Felix’s voice came low and gentle, leaving no room for argument.“Don’t move. Didn’t you agree to let me keep you company?”As he spoke, his broad palm covered her cold lower abdomen through the thin silk of her blouse.Miranda stiffened.The heat from his hand slowly seeped through the fabric, easing the dull ache in her stomach.She let out a soft breath, and her tense body gradually relaxed in his arms.Outside, rain beat against the windows, and the air carried a damp chill. But somehow, in the living room on this rainy night, she felt strangely safe.Felix adjusted his position so she could lean against hi
Miranda glanced at her watch.It was already nine thirty.She looked up and said, “I’m going to the study for a bit. If you’re free, take Gigi out to the garden for a walk.”A smile touched Felix’s eyes.“Sure. I’ll take care of Gigi. Go do your work.”Just then, lightning flashed outside the window, as if warning them that a heavy storm was about to roll in.Miranda quickly said, “Never mind. Don’t take her out. Just let her stay inside.”She didn’t want Gigi getting caught in the rain either.“It’s already so late. You still have work to do?” Felix suddenly asked.“Mm,” Miranda answered.Just then, another bolt of lightning split the sky, followed almost immediately by a sharp crack of thunder. Miranda startled.“You should go back,” she said to Felix.She turned to head upstairs, but before she could take a step, a warm hand closed around her wrist.“It looks like there’s going to be a storm tonight,” Felix said quietly. “Let me stay with you.”“No need. Go back and ge
Miranda met his gaze, then stepped around him with her files in hand.Later, when she and Samantha were discussing research details, Felix knocked and walked in. Samantha looked genuinely surprised.“Felix? What are you doing here?”“I came to check on the project’s progress.” He spoke calmly. Ev
“Mommy.”Mia reached toward Miranda, slipping out of Felix’s arms and straight into Miranda’s embrace.Holding Mia close, Miranda said calmly to Sophie, “Let’s go.”“But what about Daddy?” Mia turned back to look at Felix.Felix took a few long strides after them. “Daddy’s coming with you.”Jus
Miranda’s fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her dress. Sophie noticed she had startled her and quickly put a comforting arm around her shoulder. “It’s probably just my professional instincts talking,” she said gently. “Don’t worry, I just wanted to remind you.”Miranda was gratefu
Miranda had just finished writing her experiment report for the day and was getting ready to leave. She took off her lab coat and hung it on the rack when she heard a voice outside her office.“Miss, can I help you?” her assistant asked.“I’m looking for Miranda Stone,” came a familiar, melodic vo







