The Wrong Woman

Chapter 958



Candice wrapped her arms around Elio's waist and gently stroked his back as she leaned into his embrace. She asked, "Where are we headed now? Are we not going back to Hoffis Manor?"

"Do you still want to go back?" Elio asked.

Candice pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems irrelevant now. Your mom is fond of me, but not enough to welcome me as her daughter-in- law. She's still set on you marrying Josie."

Elio held her shoulders and eased her backward. "Why bother with these futile efforts when you already understand?"

"I had to try. At least now I know it was a waste of time," Candice replied.

Elio offered a helpless smile and kissed her forehead. "Let's head back to our place. I've had my fill of the torture of sleeping in separate rooms at my parents' house."

Candice's cheeks turned pink as she nodded bashfully. Soon, they drove home together.

The abrupt departure of Candice and Elio cast a somber shadow over Hoffis Manor. With Candice's lively spirit absent, evenings that had once been animated with her laughter and cheer now felt unusually quiet.

Tristan and Michaela found themselves alone, exchanging glances in the silence. Michaela adapted quickly, but Tristan couldn't shake the absence of Candice. This deepened his yearning for Elio even more.

Frustrated and unable to voice his emotions, he resolved to go on a fishing trip

some space between himself and Michaela. He and Candice settled back into their home, reveling in their unrestrained love for each

him, saying, "If only you'd confessed a few years sooner, just think of all the time we could've had together." "I didn't want to be accused of leading on an underage girl," Elio

Candice then that she was now 23-an age often seen as ideal for marriage. It occurred to her that perhaps Elio's timing hadn't

few nights later, Elio received a call from Robert. "Mr. Elio, Madam has been hurt and is in the hospital." The seriousness in Robert's tone conveyed the urgency

and Candice hurriedly made their way to

the news, Jasper also

on a fishing trip far from shore, Tristan couldn't come

the hospital, they found

for

discovered that Michaela had

slipped on the

the sixth

her lower spine. By the time Micheala arrived at the hospital,

Fenna and Josie arrived. Seeing them

"How did you

right away. I was out of town, so