LOGINFelix stared at his phone for a few seconds before replying.“Stay with her tonight. I’ll come by tomorrow.”Hayden responded almost immediately. “Okay.”*Early the next morning, Mrs. Young was combing Mia’s hair when Gigi, who had been lying nearby, suddenly perked up. Gigi’s ears shot up, and it began wagging its tail excitedly toward the door, letting out soft whimpers.Mia jumped to her feet. “Is Daddy here?”Seeing Gigi’s reaction, Mrs. Young suspected the same. “Your mommy is still sleeping. Maybe we should—”But Mia had already dashed toward the door. “It has to be Daddy.”“Mia, wait—”Mrs. Young couldn’t stop her in time.Mia flung the door open. Standing outside was Felix, dressed in a black suit. His expression softened when he saw her.“Do you remember where Daddy promised to take you today?”“The aquarium!” Mia squealed. “Are you here to pick me up?”Felix crouched down and lifted her into his arms. “That’s right.”He ran a hand gently through her soft hair.
Felix glanced over the form, bent down, and quickly signed his name in the family member section.Hayden’s gaze dimmed slightly. He stood rigidly outside the doctor’s office, his whole body tense.Not long after, Roger arrived with Gloria, having rushed back from a business trip. The moment he saw Felix, he hurried over, anxiety written all over his face. “Mr. Gibson, how is Xena?”“Food poisoning,” Felix replied calmly. “Her stomach’s been pumped. She’s stable for now.”“That’s a relief.” Roger finally let out a breath. “With you here, I knew nothing serious would happen.” Only then did he notice Hayden standing nearby. “Mr. Harris, you’re here too.”Hayden nodded in response.“Mr. Gibson, you should head back and get some rest,” Roger said, clearly noticing the fatigue in Felix’s expression. “We’ll stay here.”Felix nodded. “Call me if anything comes up.”He glanced at Hayden. “I’m heading out first.”“Go ahead. I’ll leave after she wakes up,” Hayden replied.By the time Fe
Miranda’s fingers paused slightly. She looked at Mia, her voice softening but remaining firm.“Mia, Great-Grandma is getting older. She might have misspoke.”Mia tilted her head, her lips puckering. “But Great-Grandma said I’m Daddy’s only daughter.”Mrs. Young felt her heart race as she listened. If Mia truly believed that so firmly, she would only be hurt in the future. After all, Felix and Xena were close to getting married. In a few years, they would likely have children of their own.She quickly changed the subject. “Mia, look how fresh these strawberries are. Try one and see if it’s sweet.”Mia immediately picked one up and took a bite. “It’s so sweet!”Miranda let out a quiet sigh. When had Mrs. Gibson Sr. said something like that to Mia? She would need to have a talk with her. Mia shouldn’t grow up holding on to expectations that might never come true.Miranda had no intention of letting Mia fight for the Gibson fortune.“Mia,” she said softly, “when you grow up, Mommy
Miranda stared at her phone for a few seconds, genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected Mike to move so quickly. He had already secured the VIP suite.Samantha had already booked a flight for early the morning after next, intending to head to Hamilton for early admission, and VIP suites there truly required advanced booking.Miranda didn't refuse. Samantha genuinely needed it, and Miranda worried that she might not have been able to secure a VIP room on her own.“Thank you, Mike,” she typed sincerely.“No need to thank me. Call anytime if you need anything,” he replied almost instantly.Miranda turned to Samantha. “Dr. Liam, I’ve arranged a VIP suite at Hamilton Military General Hospital. You can move in as soon as you arrive.”“A VIP suite?” Samantha looked startled. “Those are expensive. A regular ward would be fine.”“It's not that bad, and it's already booked,” Miranda said gently. “It'll be much better for your recovery.”“Dr. Liam hasn’t been sleeping well lately,” Layla
Miranda took the menu, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge. She lowered her gaze and flipped through the pages, deliberately avoiding the presence of Felix beside her.She ordered two light dishes, then slid the menu across the table to Felix.He added four more, all similarly mild and easy on the stomach.“Felix,” Samantha asked, “how is the civilian project coming along?”“It’s fully under James’s direction now,” Felix replied, lifting his cup. “He has full authority over all decisions.”Samantha nodded. “He’s the right person to lead it.”“The civilian project was able to move forward,” Felix said, his eyes drifting to Miranda’s profile, “largely because of the groundwork Dr. Stone laid early on.”“It was just part of my job,” Miranda said evenly.Sensing the tension, Samantha shifted the topic. “By the way, Miranda, Mia is in elementary school already, isn’t she?”“She’ll start next September,” Miranda replied with a faint smile.“How time flies,” Samantha sai
After the meeting ended, Dr. Williams stayed behind to speak with Samantha privately about the treatment plan.Miranda stepped over to the window for some air. Felix followed a moment later.“I’ve already hired a dedicated post-op nursing team,” Felix said. “You won't have to worry about the logistics after Dr. Liam’s surgery.”Miranda didn't bother responding. These were arrangements he could discuss with Samantha. Whether she accepted them was her choice.Just then, at the corner of the hallway, a nurse carrying a stack of files collided with a young doctor. Papers scattered across the floor. The nurse immediately crouched down to gather them. The doctor did the same. Their hands brushed, and both pulled back at the same time. When their eyes met, they flushed.The scene made Miranda’s breath catch for a second.Felix watched her profile and said softly, “Doesn’t that look a little like the first time we met?”Miranda turned her face toward the window. “I’ve forgotten.”A s







