When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0820

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Mindy was surprised. “You knew I was awake even with your back turned?”

Lionel chuckled and gestured toward the wall. Your shadow gave you away.“,

She glanced at the wall and realized the truth, feeling sheepish. With a small cough, she changed the subject. “What’s so interesting about that photo album?”

“Plenty. It’s fascinating to see the old you,” Lionel said softly, flipping to another page.

“The first time I met you, you were so pale and frail, barely clinging to life. Even after that, your health wasn’t great–you’d get out of breath just walking a few steps. It took a long time for you to recover.

“I thought you were naturally weak, but looking at these pictures… It seems you were so active back then…”

His voice trailed off, blending memories of the girl in the album with the woman before him, merging them into one whole person.

Mindy smiled, and her heart unexpectedly softened. “The old me had no memory of my past. I was like a boat adrift at sea–no idea where I came from or where I was headed. But then fate led me to you, and suddenly, I had a place in the world. I wasn’t lost anymore.”

Lionel gazed at her with tender affection, his eyes brimming with love.

Their eyes met, and Mindy leaned closer to look. She was suddenly intrigued by the album

in his hands.

Why do you look like a

she replied. “Back

his expression one of surprise.

photograph showed Mindy, then 18, standing under a magnolia tree. Her radiant smile was framed by falling petals. Beside her, Timothy had one arm around her shoulder, looking

and she

back then? Even before your sister did?”

“The three of us

Lionel

if you put it that way…

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0820

pair’s expressions and body language radiated a closeness that

you two…” he started, hesitant to finish the question but

paused briefly and then

of their own, and there

He was rather surprised by the

Lionel started to

do you want to know?” Mindy

date? Were you engaged? Did

Mindy answered truthfully. “We never dated, but we liked each other. Our families had even quietly agreed to

in silence, processing the