Back then, Susan had opposed her son’s marriage. In her eyes, someone as outstanding as Felix deserved an equally accomplished wife. Instead, he ended up with a woman who lacked ambition and was content to be supported. Susan couldn’t help feeling her son had settled for less.
Suddenly, Xena stood and took a small, elegant gift box from her bag. She walked over to Mia and said sweetly, “Mia, I brought you a little present.”
Mia’s eyes lit up. “What is it?”
“Why don’t you open it and see?” Xena replied with a smile.
Xena leaned in close as she handed Mia the gift, and the faint scent of her perfume drifted toward Miranda. It was the same fragrance Felix always seemed to carry on him.
Miranda glanced up. Xena was standing beside Felix, leaning down with one hand extended. As she bent over, her arm brushed lightly against his shoulder.
Miranda turned her face away and quietly sipped her tea.
Mia unwrapped the box and gasped. “Wow! I love it!”
Inside the box was a delicate crystal globe. Xena’s voice was warm and gentle. “As long as you like it, that makes me happy.”
As she returned to her seat, Miranda glanced up and caught Xena’s gaze. She was smiling, but there was something in her eyes- a flicker of smug satisfaction that didn’t go unnoticed.
Once the food arrived, Mrs. Gibson Sr. began commenting on the dishes, asking how each one was made. Susan chimed in, chatting with her mother–in–law. Miranda quietly helped Mia with her meal, while Felix remained focused on their daughter.
“I don’t want this,” Mia said, pushing aside a piece of cauliflower Miranda had placed on her plate to balance her meal. “Daddy, you eat it.”
Felix smiled and said gently, “You can’t just eat meat, sweetie. Try a little veggie too.”
Mia, still chewing a bite of drumstick, looked up with her mouth full and said, “Daddy, wipe.” Oil glistened on her chin.
Felix chuckled and picked up a warm towel to wipe her face. Miranda watched quietly, but her gaze happened ‘I on Felix as he picked the cauliflower out of his own bowl and set it aside in the dish for bones.
A faint sting pricked at Miranda’s chest.
Xena seemed to notice. She lowered her head slightly, the corners of her mouth curving in the barest hint of a smile.
Miranda suddenly lost her appetite. She turned to Susan and said quietly, “Mom, I’m going to use the restroom”
Miranda stayed in the restroom for nearly ten minutes. When she returned, she paused outside the private dining room. The door was slightly ajar, and she could hear Susan’s warm voice from inside.
“Xena, have a little more. You’re too thin. You need to take better care of yourself.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Gibson. You’ve always been so kind to me.”
“That’s only natural. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask Felix. No need to be polite.”
“Felix has already done so much for me.”
A wave of emotion stirred in Miranda’s chest. She quietly pushed the door open and stepped back into the room. Susan fell silent.
All Miranda could do was silently wish the dinner would end soon.
Around 8:30, Felix called the server to ask for the check. But the server smiled and gestured toward Xena.
Chapter 10
+25 BONUS
“She has already taken care of it.”
Mrs. Gibson Sr. and Susan both looked surprised. Susan gave a light, affectionate chiding.
“Xena, how could you treat us to dinner?”
“I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t had the chance to visit. It’s the least I could do,” Xena said with a gracious smile.
Susan’s smile softened with approval.
“Such a thoughtful girl,” she said warmly, her tone filled with fondness and praise.
As everyone stood to leave, Xena quickly stepped forward to help Mrs. Gibson Sr. out of her seat. “Mrs. Gibson Sr., let me give you a hand.”
Mrs. Gibson Sr. nodded with approval. Susan’s eyes lit up with pride. In that moment, Xena looked more like a true daughter–in- law than Miranda ever had.
She glanced at her tall, accomplished son, then at Xena, who looked polished, poised, and completely capable. If only Felix had married someone like her. Life would have been so much easier.
Standing next to Xena, Miranda appeared dull and lifeless by comparison. It was as if she didn’t belong in the picture at all.
Xena helped Mrs. Gibson Sr. into the car and then stepped aside, holding the door open as Susan followed.
She waved gently. “Goodbye, Mrs. Gibson. Goodbye, Mrs. Gibson St. I hope to see you both again soon.”
Susan smiled warmly. “Next time, come visit us at home.”
Felix, holding Mia, turned to the driver and said, “Take it slow on the way back.”
The family car pulled away from the restaurant. Xena lingered at Felix’s side, playfully chatting with Mia. “You looked so pretty today, Mia! Oh, right–I brought a little snack in my purse. Do you want it?”
“Yes!” Mia’s eyes lit up at the mention of food and she nodded eagerly.
Xena pulled out a small bag of hazelnut chocolates and placed it in Mia’s hands. The moment Mia saw what it was, her eyes sparkled with joy.
Miranda’s expression darkened. She still hadn’t forgiven Xena for secretly giving Mia sweets behind her ba been enough to make her furious.
“We should head home,” Miranda said coolly to Felix.
Xena leaned in with a sweet smile. “Mia, let’s say goodbye. Can I get a kiss?”
Still in Felix’s arms and thrilled with her chocolate, Mia happily obliged.
Xena rose slightly on tiptoe, one hand naturally resting on Felix’s shoulder as she leaned in to receive the kiss.
That alone had
“We’re leaving,” Miranda said sharply. She stepped forward, took Mia from Felix’s arms, and climbed into the car without
another word.
Xena turned to Felix with a playful pout. “Drive safe, okay?”
Felix nodded silently and got into the car. As the vehicle pulled away, Xena remained standing where she was, waving with a cheerful smile on her face.
In the backseat, Mia waved back, but Miranda held her close, every inch of her body burning with silent fury.
“Mommy, you’re hugging me too tight. I can’t breathe,” Mia whispered.
Miranda loosened her grip slightly and cracked open the window to let in some fresh air, trying to calm herself.
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Chapter 10
+25 BONUS
“When are we going back to Corona?” she asked Felix.
“Three days from now,” he replied.
For the next two days, Felix stayed home to spend time with Mia, occasionally handling work from his study.
On the third day, they said goodbye to Mrs. Gibson Sr. and Susan and boarded their flight. Before they left, Mrs. Gibson Sr. held Miranda’s hand. “Mira, we’ll be heading back before the New Year too.”
Miranda smiled warmly. She genuinely looked forward to having Mrs. Gibson Sr. back in Corona.
The journey home took twenty–three hours. By the time Miranda stepped into the house with Mia in her arms, exhaustion had fully set in.
Mrs. Young helped bathe Mia while Miranda took a shower herself. By 10:30 p.m., Mia had fallen asleep in her arms, and Miranda soon drifted off as well.
She rested for two full days before sending Mia back to school.
At 9 a.m., while sorting through documents in her study, her phone rang.
“Miranda, do you have a moment? I’d like to talk,” came the excited voice of Lucas Lincoln, her father’s former student.
“Lucas, let’s meet in person,” Miranda said without hesitation. It was time to move forward with her lab project.
At the cafe, Miranda was surprised to see Lucas wasn’t alone. She stood up with delight. “Dr. Lewis? I didn’t expect to see you
here!”
Lucas chuckled. “I couldn’t help it! Your proposal was too impressive not to bring him along.”
“Please, Dr. Lewis, have a seat,” Miranda said warmly.
Dr. Lewis nodded and settled in. “Miranda, I read through your entire proposal. Honestly, I was blown away. It’s still theoretical, of course, but if you and Lucas can move it into the experimental phase and start making progress, it could be a game–changer for the medical field, and even for humanity as a whole.”
Miranda nodded with quiet determination. “That’s the goal. But I’ve been struggling to get the funding to build a lab, let alone assemble a team.”
“Don’t worry. That won’t be a problem for long,” Dr. Lewis said reassuringly. “Right now, the world is laser–focused on medical innovation. I have no doubt you’ll find the backing you need. We believe in you.”
He leaned in slightly, his eyes sharp with curiosity. “So tell me–how did you come up with this theory?”
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