When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0284

Chapter 0284

Winter’s so–called “cousin who rarely kept in touch and wasn’t that close with now that they’re grown up turned out to care about her so much.

Then again, it made sense. Though Paul often seemed distant and aloof, Miranda knew he was just too busy to wear his concerns and affections on his sleeve. Deep down, he was more tender–hearted than

anyone.

“If something like today happens again, you can contact me anytime,” he said, pausing as he glanced at her, seemingly by chance.

He continued, “Alcohol stimulates the nervous system, at best, it causes nausea and vomiting. At worst, it can lead to fainting or even shock. So, it’s better to drink less, wouldn’t you agree?”

Miranda’s face flushed, and her ears turned a shade of pink. She knew he was indirectly speaking to her.

She cleared her throat and defended herself, “Even ugh alcohol has many side effects, it also helps people temporarily forget their troubles. Occasion, zoning out and venting properly is a way to manage emotions, wouldn’t you say?”

Paul hadn’t expected her not only to rebut but to mimic his phrasing in return, and he couldn’t help but laugh. “There are many ways to vent, does it have to be through drinking?”

“Well… it depends on the person. What if some people prefer it?” she replied.

Paul stopped walking and suddenly turned to face her. “Do you like it?”

Miranda hesitated briefly, meeting his intense gaze before quickly looking away. She shook her head, saying, “I don’t like it.”

Even when Hansel hurt her deeply in the past, she never turned to alcohol for comfort. She knew that escaping wasn’t a solution.

She was terrified of losing control, drifting into a foggy, Intoxicated state where she couldn’t think clearly. Paul’s smile widened slightly. “No wonder Natalie’s worried that Winter will be a bad influence on you.”

Miranda looked puzzled. “What?”

*If there’s ever a day you feel like drinking, you can call me,” he said.

“Call you so you can help clean up the mess?” she asked, unable to stop herself from laughing.

Paul nodded but then shook his head. “Aside from that, I might even join you for a drink.”

Miranda blinked, “You? Drink with me?”

She couldn’t quite picture Paul drinking.

“What? You don’t believe me?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t,” Miranda said, shaking her head.

can

Chapter 0284

+25 BONUS

“Sure.”

as if it could easily pull

a Mercedes sped past them, interrupting the budding moment between

the sky.

waiting for Paul’s response, she turned and started walking. Paul stayed in place for

Hansel glanced in his rearview mirror, watching the two figures walking together. His grip tightened on the steering wheel as his knuckles turned pale, but

now. She smiled more ten, but those smiles

she had found new goals in life and new people to accompany her. Whether it was Paul or Sam,

than he had imagined. But the

Why?

so decisively, while he remained trapped in the memories of what

resenting her. He resented her for being so heartless, for

Chapter 0285

midnight when heavy rain started to fall. Hansel

didn’t want

at the house right in front of him, he realized the place was no longer

pulled out a

space of the car, the smoke lingered, trapped with nowhere to escape. The crimson glow of the cigarette burned at his fingertips, releasing wisps of smoke that

darkness, almost merging with

As the cigarette burned

that giving up on Miranda was simply not lost her didn’t mean he couldn’t have her again in

because he once

back, everything could

the cigarette

the door, her face beaming with a

“Heh_”

finish her sentence, Hansel walked past her without a second glance. It was as if

“Hans, I cooked a few dishes myself tonight. I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer, and I

turned to look at her.

wanted to say, can you unblock me?

too indifferent even to reject

“I didn’t know when you’d be back, so I

anymore.

were shrimp scampi, pork tenderloin, sautéed celery, and

“What’s wrong, Hans?”

well. Just