LOGINThat night, Miranda went to bed rather late.Half-asleep, she heard the doorbell ring.She glanced at the time.It was only eight thirty.She got up and walked to the door. Through the peephole, she took one look outside and froze.Standing outside was a face she knew all too well.She immediately opened the door.Felix stood outside in a dark gray coat, looking as if he had come straight from a long trip.The moment he saw her, his lips curved into a smile.“Did I wake you?”“You… Why are you here?”Miranda glanced behind him.“It’s just me. Mia’s at home.”With that, Felix stepped inside, reached out with his arms, and pulled her into his embrace. He buried his face in her hair and breathed her in.“I missed you, so I came.”Miranda leaned against his chest, but she still couldn’t help scolding him.“You haven’t fully recovered yet. Why did you come all the way here?”Felix gave a soft snort.“Do you care about me at all? It’s already been sixteen days. I’m long pas
“Mike called me,” Lena said, looking at her. “Thank you for coming.”Lena’s shoulder-length hair was cut in a neat, practical style. Even sitting in a wheelchair, she looked clean, sharp, and composed, with a quiet strength that was hard to miss.For someone so young to become a pilot, Lena had Miranda’s genuine respect.Miranda sat down across from her.For a moment, they simply looked at each other.Then, for some reason, they both smiled.Even in the wheelchair, Lena sat with her back perfectly straight. It was the kind of posture that came from years of military training, already ingrained in her bones.Her eyes were clear and steady, still full of hope.“Can I call you Lena?” Miranda asked.Lena nodded.“Of course, Dr. Stone.”“Call me Miranda. I’m only two years older than you, so we’re basically the same age.”Lena smiled.“Then I’ll call you Miranda.”Miranda nodded.Lena looked at her, gratitude quietly stirring in her eyes.“Miranda, I know Mike was able to wa
Felix could only nod obediently.“Okay. I’ll wait for you at home.”The next afternoon, Gavin came to take Miranda to the airport.This time, Dr. Lewis and several well-known professors were traveling with her.Miranda wore a crisp trench coat and walked beside the older professors. Calm and composed, she fit in effortlessly among them.Two and a half hours later, they arrived at Hamilton Airport.Miranda checked into the guest accommodations that had been arranged for them.For the next three days, she attended back-to-back lectures and training sessions. The schedule was full, but productive.Every day after class, Felix would video call her with Mia.At noon on the fourth day, Miranda had just finished lunch in the cafeteria and was talking with a few colleagues when her phone rang.She picked it up and glanced at the screen.Then she paused slightly.It was Mike.Miranda took her phone outside to answer.Mike’s familiar voice came through the line.“Miranda, I heard
Miranda had an upcoming work trip that would last about a week. The National Science and Technology Institute was holding a project exchange meeting. The email had come in last month, but she had kept quiet about it until now.“I have to travel for work on Monday. I’ll probably be gone for about a week.”Felix lifted his head and looked at her.“Travel? Where?”“Hamilton. There’s a project exchange at the institute, and I need to attend.”Felix’s brows drew together at once.“A week? You’re leaving me here alone for a whole week?”Miranda almost laughed in annoyance.“Alone? Your mom and Sienna both moved into this neighborhood, didn’t they? How are you alone? And Mia is here too.”Felix was left briefly speechless, but the look on his face clearly said he wasn’t happy.He asked sullenly, “When are you leaving?”“Probably Sunday afternoon.”“But I need you.”Felix tightened his arms around her like he was being completely unreasonable on purpose.“I’m a patient. You can
At the entrance, just before Felix went into the procedure room, he turned to Miranda.“Wait for me.”“I’ll be right here.”Felix lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then turned and walked in calmly.The door closed behind him.Miranda stood in the hallway, staring at the shut door, her heart beating a little faster for no reason.“Ms. Stone, we’ve prepared tea and snacks in the waiting area. Would you like to rest there for a while?” Gavin walked over and asked.Miranda nodded and went to the waiting area nearby.She took out her phone, wanting to read something to distract herself, but she could not focus at all.Twenty minutes passed.Then thirty.Nearly an hour later, the door finally opened.Felix was wheeled out. His face was a little pale, but he seemed to be in good spirits.After he was brought into the recovery room, the hospital staff gave a few instructions and left.Miranda sat down by the bed and could not help asking, “Does it hurt?”Felix smiled and
Miranda buried her face against his chest and asked, “Are you hiding something from me?”For a split second, surprise flashed through Felix’s eyes.Then he seemed to realize what she meant.“Gavin told you?” he asked helplessly.Miranda nodded.Felix lifted her chin, his deep eyes open and sincere.“I was going to tell you after it was done so you wouldn’t worry,” he said in a low voice.“I told you there’s no need.” Miranda looked at him, unable to understand why he would go that far.Felix smiled and kissed her forehead.“Don’t worry. I’m only going in for a consultation first.”Then he lowered his head a little and brushed his lips against hers.“I don’t want you to go through pregnancy and childbirth again.”Miranda’s heart jolted.“The only way to make absolutely sure that doesn’t happen is a vasectomy,” Felix said, gently stroking her cheek. “Mira, Mia is enough for us.”Miranda let out a soft sigh.“I’m not even sure whether I might want another child someday.”F
Just then, Felix’s phone rang. Taking the chance, Miranda turned and walked away quickly, asking a waiter to send a small cake up to the lounge.By the time she returned, Felix was gone.When Miranda opened the door, Sophie pressed a hand to her chest in relief. “You scared me. I thought he came b
After Ben left, Miranda stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the glittering skyline outside. Her thoughts drifted back six years.Felix had always been the same, even after they married. He was cold, detached, and unwilling to let anyone close. She used to believe that if she loved him e
That evening, Miranda went home with Mia. Mrs. Young started preparing dinner, and Gigi played with Mia in the living room, their laughter ringing through the house.On the table, Mrs. Young had placed a small bouquet of flowers for Miranda. Under the soft light, the scene felt warm and peaceful, l
Sophie let out a small “oh” and said, “Looks like Mr. Gibson is still focused on immediate profits.”She stirred her coffee, then suddenly remembered something. “By the way, did you see the news about the Lincoln family?”Miranda nodded. “I did. Leo’s father was hospitalized with a serious illness







