When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0730

Paul had never been the type to deceive himself.

After a brief moment of avoidance, he always chose to confront his feelings head–on. Deep down, a voice was echoing within him, “You like her. You’re captivated by everything about her ”

From initial restraint to eventual acknowledgment and now a quiet acceptance, Paul finally understood something.

Emotions were never governed by reason. The desires and fantasies he had tried to suppress had only grown more fervent, thriving wildly

The recurring dreams that were vivid and unabashed felt like a series of slaps to his rationality

They were embarrassing, yes. But also… Exquisitely beautiful.

In those dreams, she was both ethereal and bewitching effortlessly ensnaring his soul in the palm of her hand He had no defense, no choice but to succumb entirely.

Paul, who prided himself on decisiveness, found himself wavering when it came to confessing his feelings Miranda had just emerged from the shadows of a failed relationship and was fully engrossed in her academic pursuits. She might not even want to consider love again

he confessed and she declined, how would

they pretend it

unrealistic. The inevitable outcome would be awkwardness

fear had kept Paul from taking that

being interrupted by the neighbor the other night,

open to it? What if she

shower, and put on clean clothes. He just waited downstairs, hoping to see her. And he did see her–only to also see the bouquet of blue roses from Sam

finished reflecting, they had already climbed all seven

silence. “I’m sorry. It was presumptuous of me. If you

smile. “It’s just that I haven’t quite figured out

were attentive as she began to

time when I thought I’d found true love,” she said slowly “My dad’s always saying that priceless treasures are easier to find than true

I’ve made up my mind. My mother calls it steadfastness. But I know

+25 BONUS

been in knowledge, academics, and research. After