Miranda answered modestly, “It’s the result of years of foundational research. I also built on the notes my father left behind, and drew insights from reports published by several leading medical labs around the world. That’s what led me to this theory.”
“Excellent. Truly excellent. There’s no end to learning,” Dr. Lewis said, clearly impressed. “Miranda, your theory is absolutely remarkable.”
They spoke for another two hours. Before leaving for his next meeting, Dr. Lewis clasped Miranda’s hand and said sincerely,” You must bring this lab to life. I’ll fully support you. I have no doubt that you’ll be just as exceptional as your father.”
After he left, Miranda and Lucas stayed and talked for another two hours until it was time for her to pick up Mia. Before parting ways, Lucas promised, “Leave the lab setup to me. I’ve got it covered.”
Later that afternoon, Miranda took Mia to the nearby mall to shop for some early spring clothes. As she stepped out of the mall lobby with Mia’s hand in hers, a striking figure caught her attention.
It was Xena, walking confidently through the crowd alongside her assistant. She turned heads as she passed, drawing plenty of attention from the men around her.
Miranda’s gaze shifted to the shopping bags in the assistant’s hands. They looked like basic household items. A frown formed on her face.
“Had Xena moved into the neighborhood?” she wondered.
She suspected it was Felix’s arrangement. Moving Xena nearby would certainly make it easier for them to see each other in private.
Miranda said nothing. She simply tightened her grip on Mia’s hand and quickly steered her in the opposite direction. The last thing she wanted was for her daughter to spot Xena.
“Look, Mommy! That dog is so cute!” Mia’s eyes lit up as she pointed at a little girl walking by with a puppy. “Can I have one too? Please?”
Miranda had always been hesitant, afraid a dog might bite Mia. But Mia had once told her that Xena had a dog at home, and she had been asking to visit ever since.
Miranda gently ruffled Mia’s hair. “Are you sure you really want one?”
“I’m sure,” Mia nodded eagerly.
Miranda smiled. “Alright. Let’s go find one you like.”
“Really? I can have my own puppy? But what if Daddy doesn’t agree?”
“As long as Mommy agrees, that’s all that matters.”
“Yay! I’m getting a puppy!”
They headed to a high–end pet store, where Mia immediately fell in love with a tiny beagle puppy. The shop owner told them the little one was calm, well–behaved, and very affectionate.
After Miranda paid, the puppy was placed in Mia’s arms. Her entire face lit up with joy. “Mommy, she’s so cute! I love her so much!”
“Then let’s take her home,” Miranda said, smiling with her daughter.
Mrs. Young froze when she saw Mia walk in with the puppy.
“Mr. Gibson was a known clean freak. Would he really be okay with a dog in the house?” she thought.
Chapter 11
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Miranda wasn’t sure either. But one thing she did know was that when it came to their daughter, Felix almost never said no. Mia proudly named her new puppy “Gigi.”
That evening, as the golden sunlight bathed the living room, Miranda sipped her tea and watched Mia and Gigi playing together on the floor. The sight brought her a deep sense of peace and quiet happiness.”
Everything felt almost perfect. A divorce would have made it complete.
Later, Felix returned home. As soon as Mia saw him, she ran over with the puppy in her arms.
“Daddy, look! I got a puppy! Her name is Gigi. Do you like her?”
Felix crouched down, eyeing the tiny dog trembling in Mia’s embrace. His expression softened.
“Gigi? You picked the name?”
“Yep! Do you like it?”
“I do,” Felix said with a smile.
“Don’t be scared,” Mia whispered to the puppy, gently stroking its back. “Daddy’s not a bad guy. He’ll like you too.”
Just then, Miranda came down the stairs. Felix took off his blazer and, as she passed, instinctively held it out for her to take. She paused, glancing up at him. He looked back, waiting.
In the past, she would have accepted it without a second thought, even telling Mrs. Young to have it pressed right away.
But this time, she didn’t move.
After a brief silence, Felix withdrew his arm and tossed the blazer onto the sofa. His expression cooled as he turned and walked upstairs.
Miranda remained standing for a moment, the chill he left behind lingering in the air. Then she walked over to Mia and quietly asked Mrs. Young to take care of the blazer.
At dinner, Felix came downstairs dressed casually. His dark hair fell slightly over his brow, and he a navy knit sweater that somehow made him look even more composed and refined. He looked like the perfect husband–ily he hadn’t cheated.
“Mommy, can you peel some shrimp for me?” Mia asked, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the stewed shrimp.
Miranda smiled warmly. “Of course, sweetheart. Mommy will peel them for you.”
She peeled five large shrimp for Mia before heading to the kitchen to wash her hands.
Felix, mid–bite, paused and watched her retreating figure.
“Daddy, you can have one of mine!” Mia offered sweetly, dropping a peeled shrimp into his bowl.
“It’s okay, sweetie. You eat it,” he said, placing it back into her bowl.
When Miranda returned to the table, she quietly continued eating, giving her full attention to Mia.
“Mommy, don’t you like Daddy anymore?” Mia blinked up at her, wide–eyed.
“Of course I do,” Miranda said with a breezy smile.
“Then why didn’t you peel shrimp for him? You always used to.”
Miranda chuckled and gently ruffled her daughter’s hair. “Because Mommy’s hands got tired.”
Chapter I
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“Let me see!” Mia reached for her hand.
Miranda extended her fingers. There wasn’t a scratch or hint of redness, but Mia still blew gently on her fingertips like she was trying to heal them.
Miranda’s smiledit up under the soft dining lights. “You’re such a sweetheart.”
Across the table, Felix set down his utensils and quietly got up from the table.
That night, after giving Mia a bath, Miranda moved the puppy’s bed into her room. The two little ones played for a while before falling asleep.
Under the gentle glow of the bedside lamp, Miranda sat for a while watching her daughter’s sleeping face in silence. For a moment, she simply stared, lost in thought.
Just then, the door opened. Felix stepped inside, fresh from the shower, a black robe draped over his broad frame. The front hung open, revealing a sculpted chest that would have once stirred something in her.
Now, Miranda barely glanced his way. She realized that even if he stood completely naked in front of her, she would feel absolutely nothing. That part of her was gone.
Felix leaned down and kissed Mia’s forehead. As he did, Miranda’s eyes narrowed. On the left side of his chest, she spotted a fresh tattoo: two letters–X.S.
It didn’t take a genius to figure it out. X.S. stood for Xena Spencer.
At that exact moment, Felix withdrew his hand from Mia’s hair, and whether intentional or not, his fingers brushed across Miranda’s cheek.
She stiffened.
Without warning, his hand slipped under the blanket. Before Miranda could react, he began to touch her. His movements were far from gentle. There was teasing in his touch, as if this was just a game.
Miranda let out a sharp breath.
4
Then Felix pulled away and muttered, voice low and rough, “Come to
His meaning couldn’t be clearer.
He wanted sex.
my
room.”
It was laughable. He fooled around outside, then came home pretending to fulfill his duties as a husband–just enough to meet her physical needs.
Miranda had no interest in that kind of charity.
She ignored Felix’s attempt to initiate intimacy. And to make sure he wouldn’t come back into her room that night, she locked the door from the inside without hesitation.
By morning, she came downstairs with Mia, only to find Felix already at the dining table, his face clouded with irritation. Sensing something was off, Mia wrapped her arms around his arm and asked sweetly, “Daddy, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Felix said. “Finish your breakfast. I’ll take you to school.”
“Okay!” she nodded cheerfully.
Felix grabbed his keys and headed out the door. Miranda bent down with a bright smile and said to Mia, “See you this afternoon, sweetheart.”
“Can you bring Gigi when you pick me up?” Mia asked, not wanting to leave her new puppy behind.
Chapter 1
“Of course I will,” Miranda said, smiling.
At nine o’clock, Miranda drove out to meet her best friend, Sophie
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At Sophie’s law office, after hearing everything, Sophie leaned back and said, “You’re seriously going through with the divorce?”
Miranda didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“You know there are women out there who would kill to be in your position.”
“They can have it,” Miranda said calmly.
“You’re really willing to walk away from all that money and status?”
Miranda’s gaze was steady. “The only thing I’d miss is my daughter. Everything else, I can let go of.”
Sophie arched an eyebrow. “Even Felix?”
Miranda
gave
a dry laugh. “He’s two–timing trash. I wouldn’t take him back if he were gift–wrapped.”
“But I have to warn you,” Sophie said seriously. “This divorce won’t be easy to win. Unless you catch them in the act, Felix isn’t going to give up custody of his daughter that easily. And let’s be honest–you’ve been a stay–at–home mom for five years. No steady income, no influence, no connections. What exactly are you going to use to fight him for custody?”
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