The Wrong Woman

"Thank you," Rick said to Elio and Candice as they walked away. "I'll arrange for the delivery right away."

Elio led Candice outside to the quiet street of the garden center. He turned to face her with frustration in his eyes.

Candice's heart pounded as she sensed his irritation. She swallowed hard, staring at him.

With his frustration barely contained, Elio lowered his voice. "Candice, let me make this clear one last time. I'm Jasper's uncle, not yours. I have no familial connection to your parents. Do you understand?" Confused by his upset tone, Candice quickly apologized, "I'm sorry. I understand now. It won't happen again."

Elio sighed, his expression softening as he gazed at her, who stared back at him. For a moment, an unusual connection seemed to spark between them.

Summoning her courage, Candice asked, "Elio, are you and Josie truly not together?"

"No," Elio replied.

Candice's heart pounded as she continued, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No."

lip to hold

help me figure out where to place the

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"We'll simply figure out where to place them. After

Candice murmured, lowering her head to

slept together. However, she decided against it, finding the topic too awkward. She thought men and women were different, after all. Sometimes, loneliness and desire might lead a man to seek physical comfort from a woman with no

had fallen by the time they reached Hillside Villa. The truck delivering the plants arrived just as they

carrying the plants inside under Candice's direction. Once everything

cold, empty home now looked like a

the corner, gentle warmth filling his heart as he admired Candice's handiwork, His emotions were plain to see, reflected

said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Elio. I might have gone overboard with the plants. It feels a bit overwhelming."

I love it. It looks great," Elio responded

with a smile at his praise. "Really? You truly

acknowledgment. Then, gesturing toward the dining table, he added, "Dinner's ready. How about we eat together

glanced at the time and hesitated. She was mostly concerned about the potential awkwardness of