Mag-log inXena let out a cold laugh.“If it weren’t for me, you and your mom wouldn’t even be alive today. Is this how the Gibson family treats someone who saved their lives?”“Xena, you got far more out of it than you ever gave,” Sienna said, her expression cooling. “So stop acting like some innocent victim. And don’t forget, I still haven’t settled the score with you for approaching my family with an agenda back then.”“Didn’t you already ruin my performance?” Xena snapped, anger flashing in her eyes. “I have you to thank for where I am now, don’t I, Ms. Gibson?”“Was I wrong to report you?” Sienna said sharply. “Artists deserve respect. You don’t.”Xena clenched her jaw.“If you hadn’t been born into a good family, with that brain of yours, I doubt you could even support yourself. And you have the nerve to judge other people?”“What can I say?” Sienna raised an eyebrow, looking pleased with herself. “I was born lucky. That’s something you’ll never have, no matter how much you envy it.”
Derek knew that winning Xena over would take money.He also wanted to show off a little, to prove that if she stayed with him, she wouldn’t be making the wrong choice.It just so happened that his close friend’s father owned one of the largest private stables in Atlantis City.Derek immediately said with generous confidence, “Of course. I’ve been meaning to go pick out a good horse myself. We can head over now.”Xena’s heart lifted.It looked like Derek was serious about pursuing her after all. She had been worried he might be cheap.Her lips curved into a delighted smile.“Thank you, Mr. Lee. Then let’s go.”As Derek stood and took a few steps forward, Xena naturally slipped her arm through his.That small gesture pleased him instantly.Xena was exactly his type. Even knowing Daniel had just handed her off to him, Derek didn’t mind at all.If anything, he enjoyed it.There was one thing Derek had always been insecure about. He had never been especially confident in his own
Felix smiled softly, his eyes bright with quiet warmth.“It’s no trouble at all.”When Miranda walked down to the lawn, Mia ran over and hugged her leg.“Mommy, are we going to live here?”Miranda looked at the anticipation in Mia’s eyes and smiled.“Mm. We’ll move in before school starts.”“Yay! That’s great. Is Daddy going to live next door?” Mia asked.“Yes,” Miranda said with a nod.She had to admit that with how busy work would be going forward, she needed someone she could trust to help her.And when it came to taking care of Mia, Felix would be the best partner.At that moment, Felix was standing on the second-floor balcony, making a call.“Have the renovation team come in as soon as possible. I want three design proposals within a week.”“Yes, Mr. Gibson.”Before they headed home, Felix arranged for them to tour the school.The campus was truly first-rate. It even had its own riding arena, and horseback riding was one of the school’s signature programs.That afte
It was after ten before Mia was finally willing to go to bed.That night, she wrapped her arms around Miranda’s neck and suddenly asked, “Mommy, when can Daddy sleep with us too?”Miranda had been thinking about something else. The sudden question caught her off guard.After a brief pause, she rubbed Mia’s head and changed the subject.“We’re going to look at a new house tomorrow. How does that sound?”Mia nodded happily.“Okay! I want a house with a garden. I want to play ball outside.”“All right,” Miranda said with a smile.At nine thirty the next morning, Felix drove Miranda and Mia to a luxury gated community near the international private school.The neighborhood had been developed for the wealthy. It was quiet, elegant, and lined with trees, with strict security throughout.Felix pulled into the parking space beside a large pair of adjoining houses in a quieter part of the community.The so-called pair of houses was essentially two separate three-story homes cleverly
Miranda walked toward the elevator first.Felix wrapped the towel around his waist and followed her.When the elevator doors closed, the mirrored walls reflected the sight of him wearing nothing but a towel.They were not exactly strangers. They had been married for six years, and Miranda knew very well what she had and hadn’t seen before.Still, she lowered her eyes and instinctively looked away.Felix watched her reaction through the mirrored wall.Although her gaze was lowered, from his angle, he could still see the faint red at the tips of her ears.The elevator doors opened.Miranda quickly asked, “Which room is Mia in?”Felix gave her the room number, and Miranda walked over at once.Twenty minutes later, Miranda and Sienna took Mia to the restaurant first.Mia was hungry.They had just finished ordering when Felix walked in.He had changed into casual clothes, making him look softer and more approachable.Sienna was sitting beside Mia, so Felix naturally pulled out
The next afternoon, Miranda was having lunch at home when Mia called.Felix had taken her to play in the private pool at Moutin Hotel, and she wanted Miranda to come over too.Hearing Mia whine sweetly on the other end, Miranda could only smile.“All right. Mommy will come over.”Miranda left home and went straight to Moutin Hotel.The private pool was on the same floor as the presidential suite. From the underground parking garage, she took the elevator straight up to the pool level.When she arrived, Mia was playing in a floatie while Sienna stayed close by.Miranda was still wondering where Felix was when a tall figure surfaced at the far end of the pool, sending water splashing around him.Felix pushed his wet hair back.Water ran from his hair down the sharp lines of his face, then slid over his broad shoulders and firm chest before disappearing back into the pool.“Daddy, I’m coming!” Mia called happily.She slipped out of her floatie and swam toward Felix like a littl
Miranda frowned when she noticed the DE label printed on the box. It had clearly come from one of DE’s engineering teams.Mia clapped excitedly, tugging on Miranda’s sleeve. “Mom, open it. I want to see what it is.”Miranda and Mrs. Young carried the box inside and started unpacking it. Inside was
Fiona convinced herself that Miranda’s win wasn’t as impressive as it looked. In her mind, Samantha and Dr. Lewis, who had both been close friends of Eugene, had obviously played a role in recommending her for the award. With professors like that behind her, the whole thing had to involve some level
Mrs. Young glanced over at Miranda. She was quietly flipping through a medical journal, completely absorbed, radiating a calm intelligence that made it clear she was no longer the young woman who had once depended on Felix.Every now and then, Miranda still checked on Mia, but her gaze settled only
“During the bouquet toss, I really wanted to hand it to you myself,” Sophie said. “But when I turned around, your seat was empty. Where did you go?”“I stepped out to take a call,” Miranda replied.“That was terrible timing. I was hoping to make you catch it right in front of Felix.”Miranda laug







