MasukHe had still been too impulsive.He had clearly told himself to take things slowly.But just now, watching her with her eyes closed, looking so vulnerable with that faint shimmer of moisture at the corner of her eyes, the rationality and self-control he had always been so proud of had crumbled in an instant.He had only wanted to be closer to her.To touch her.Even if it was just for a second.Now, he almost regretted not looking more carefully.Why hadn’t he checked?Had there still been disgust in her eyes?Resistance?Felix knew every shift in Miranda’s feelings toward him.Before the divorce, there had been disgust. Rejection.After the divorce, there had been hatred.Then, about a year ago, her gaze had finally grown calm. There had been no hatred, no resentment, only complete indifference.And that expression had terrified him more than hatred ever could.It was as if he had been completely shut out of her world.After they cleared up the misunderstandings betwee
In the quiet darkness, Miranda became painfully aware of her own heartbeat.Felix hadn’t stepped back.She could still feel him there, close enough that his presence seemed to wrap around her, carrying a quiet pressure she couldn’t ignore.She could picture him leaning over her, looking down at her.Her eyes were still wet from the drops, stinging faintly, so she forced herself to keep them closed.Then she felt the excess liquid slip from the corner of her eye.For some reason, it made her feel embarrassed.It felt too much like crying.Just then, a warm fingertip brushed the corner of her eye, gently wiping away the drop that had fallen.Miranda’s whole body trembled slightly.“Could you hand me a tissue?” she asked.She wanted to do it herself.But Felix did not answer.Just as Miranda was about to open her eyes, she felt something impossibly soft touch the corner of one eye.This time, it wasn’t his finger.It was softer. Warmer.The touch was quick and featherlight
The other colleague sighed.“You’re one of the core specialists on our team. What a waste. Once you leave and stay home, who knows when you’ll be able to return to the workforce?”“Who knows?” the woman said. “Sometimes I wonder why women are always the ones forced to choose between family and career. The most unfair part is that it’s always the woman’s career that gets sacrificed.”“Exactly. It’s like a woman’s career is supposed to make way for the family and the kids. Why can’t the man quit his job and take care of the children instead? If my husband were willing to stay home with the kids, I wouldn’t have to give up my career.”“For women, trying to balance family and career is just too hard.”Miranda stood around the corner, her emotions suddenly complicated.Felix had been helping her a lot lately, especially when it came to taking care of Mia.Because she had been so busy with the lab, she had rarely thought about it deeply. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had simp
Miranda was left speechless by that.She really had forgotten again. Lately, her mind had been completely occupied by the lab, leaving her no room to think about anything else.“I…”Miranda opened her mouth, wanting to defend herself, but she had nothing to say.Felix, however, kindly let her off the hook.“Forget it. As long as you don’t think my gray hair looks bad, I don’t really need to treat it.”In other words, he didn’t care what anyone else thought.He only cared about what she thought.Miranda picked up her glass and gave a soft huff.“As long as it doesn’t affect your health, it doesn’t really matter whether you treat it or not.”Felix smiled.Knowing when to stop, he picked up his fork again and took another bite.“The main renovation work at the villa is basically finished. The interior designer sent over a few furnishing plans too. When you have time tonight, we can look them over together.”Miranda thought for a moment.“Send them to me first. I’ll look thro
“There’s nothing I can’t say.” Felix’s gaze darkened slightly. “The reason isn’t complicated.”Miranda looked back at him.Felix leaned forward a little, bringing his eyes level with hers.His deep gaze locked on her as he said, word by word, “It was because of you.”Miranda froze.Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the glass.She hadn’t expected him to say it so directly.But she didn’t think it had anything to do with her.Felix seemed to realize that his words had put pressure on her.He smiled faintly.“But it wasn’t your fault. I was under too much stress at the time. I wasn’t sleeping well, and I didn’t take care of myself. That’s all.”Felix took a sip of water, his throat moving slightly.“The day you were kidnapped, Mike got to you in time. He took a knife for you and protected you. You were crying, begging me to save him. I carried you into the car and took you to his side. And in that moment…”His hand on the table clenched into a fist without him realiz
Felix drove while Miranda gave directions.In less than ten minutes, they arrived at the restaurant.The noon sun was harsh. After getting out of the car, Miranda raised a hand to block the direct sunlight.Just then, another hand appeared above her head, shielding her from it.Miranda looked up.Felix smiled. With the sunlight behind him, his face looked even more striking.“Let’s go.”Miranda walked into the restaurant’s courtyard.There were quite a few people today, but luckily, two tables were still open.Several of the diners were colleagues from the lab. The tables that had been laughing and chatting a moment ago went strangely quiet the second Felix and Miranda walked in.Miranda could feel several pairs of eyes on them.Felix was simply too recognizable.After they sat down, the groups that had been talking loudly just moments ago immediately lowered their voices and switched to whispers.After Miranda ordered, Felix added two more dishes.Then he poured her a gl
“No,” Miranda replied without hesitation. She sent the message and walked straight toward her office.Fiona remained where she was, staring at Miranda’s retreating figure. She bit her lip. This time, she would prove herself. She would earn her place in the project on her own merit.Back in her off
At the same time, they were also watching her approach. Miranda withdrew her gaze and walked past them naturally.She headed toward the stage.Under the spotlight, Miranda stood slender and poised. She carried no notes with her. Calm and composed, she stopped in front of the microphone and let her
Miranda frowned and called out to Mia, “Mia, it’s time for us to go home.”Felix swallowed, his Adam’s apple moving slightly. Miranda’s reaction made it clear. She didn’t need a gift from him.“Daddy forgot this time. I’ll make it up to Mommy next time,” Felix said. After that, he carried Mia to t
Hayden raised his eyebrows, fully understanding Leo’s struggle. After all, he was walking a similarly difficult path.“If it really comes down to it, you should just have it out with Felix one of these days,” Hayden suggested.Leo shook his head. “I can’t do that. It would drag Miranda’s career in







