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 test

Chapter 0284

+25 BONUS

“Sure.”

soft, like calm water. It was as if it could easily pull someone in without them

honk suddenly pierced the air as a Mercedes sped past them, interrupting the budding moment

out of her thoughts and glanced up at the sky. “Looks

turned and started walking. Paul stayed in place for a moment while watching her retreating figure.

Hansel glanced in his rearview mirror, watching the two figures walking together. His grip

now. She smiled more ten, but those

she had found new goals in life and new people to accompany her.

admit it, Miranda was doing far better without him than he had imagined. But the more he saw her thriving, the harder it was

Why?

so easily, to move on so

resented her for being so heartless, for not giving him just one

Chapter 0285

was midnight when heavy rain started to fall. Hansel drove back to the

didn’t want

the house right in front of him, he realized the place was no longer a “home”

out a cigarette and lit

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

into the darkness, almost merging with the

it took to smoke a cigarette was neither too long nor too short. As the cigarette burned to its end, the previously dazed look

lost her didn’t mean he couldn’t have her

he once

back, everything could return to how it used to

of the car, flicked the cigarette

with a smile. Hansel glanced at his watch and saw that it was

“Heh_”

Ingrid began, but before she could finish her sentence, Hansel walked past her without a second

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

at her.

say, can you unblock me?

silent, too indifferent even to reject

the dining table and continued, “I didn’t know when you’d be back, so I just

anymore.

the table and immediately laughed. There were shrimp scampi, pork

“What’s wrong, Hans?”

well. Just

allergic to shrimp and didn’t eat pork or celery. The soup might