When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter

0410

Silas glanced at Paul. “You haven’t been yourself lately. What’s going on?”

“You’ve got it wrong.” Paul replied, turning toward the drawing room. He carried a bag of clean clothes. and intended to store them in the cabinet inside that room.

As he pushed the door open, his gaze landed on the folding bed Miranda had slept on before. It hadn’t been moved since the last time she used it.

Paul’s thoughts drifted back to when he had walked in on her sleeping. His heart raced, and his breath caught in his throat. The memory still held him captive, as if he was trapped in a dream.

Snapping back to reality, he was overwhelmed by frustration and shame. He struggled to accept that version of himself–the one losing control.

“Paul,” Silas called from outside. “I ordered some late–night snacks. Do you want any?”

“I’ll pass. Enjoy it yourself.”

“I’ve got buffalo chicken bites and pan–fried pork. Are you sure you don’t want to try some?” Silas pressed.

“No, thanks.”

“Speaking of buffalo chicken bites, I still think Miranda makes the best ones. By the way, has she started classes? I haven’t seen her in the lab for ages. Next time you see her, tell her to drop by. We all miss her.” Silas added.

Paul stepped out of the drawing room, and his expression returned to normal. “If you want to say something to her, say it yourself.” He tried to shake her from his mind, but it felt like she lingered in every

corner.

paused mid–bite, surprised. “Come on… You two live right across the hall. Is it really that

“It is for me.”

speechless before saying, “Paul

already walked over to the lab table and tuned

breakup… You’ve had that serious look every day. It’s

him,

his tongue twice.

streaked by shades of orange. A gentle

had

Chapter 0410

+25 BONUS

you waiting,” she

his watch. “You’re not late. Why

agreed to meet at 6:30 pm, but she had

you get here?”

“6:00 pm.”

“That early?” she said.

how they want their dishes prepared, and there’s no

The wait would have been much longer if he hadn’t arranged

stew before her. Everything–from the fresh ingredients to the

supposed to be my treat, and

chosen the restaurant, and Miranda hadn’t done any research beforehand. She thought it would be just a regular place