When fate plays its hand

Chapter 1013

Miranda lifted the lid of the metal box and saw several smaller ones inside, some of which were neatly wrapped. On top lay a pink box that caught her eye-“Emilia Quimby,” scrawled in bold black marker. What a coincidence… Just like Emilia had caught her eye in the graduation photo–not just for her beauty, but for something more.

As the shutter clicked, the lens captured Emilia tilting her head slightly, and her gaze fell on Paul, who stood beside her. noveldrama

It was as if she had only just begun to turn when the photo was snapped. The motion was subtle, but her gaze was already fixed on him with quiet intensity.

“Did you drive here today?” Christine asked.

“Yeah.” Miranda nodded.

“Great. Could you take this box to Paul for me? I’ve been holding onto it for years and nearly forgot about it.”

“Sure.” Miranda loaded the box into the car’s trunk, then returned to the living room to watch TV with Christine. She stayed until she made sure Christine had soaked her feet properly before getting up to leave.

At that moment, Olivia’s excited voice echoed from outside. It was muffled and indistinct. “Oh?…It’s you? What are you doing here? Come in.”

Moments later, she bustled into the house and exclaimed, “Dr. Young, guess who’s here.”

Christine looked up, and her expression brightened in surprise. “Paul! What are you doing here?”

He replied, “I figured I’d stop by and see how you’re doing.”

It was such a weak excuse that even a fool wouldn’t have believed it. Who would choose to visit someone late at night and show up empty–handed?

He didn’t even bother with a better excuse. The thought made Miranda laugh.

But Christine didn’t think much of it. She was too happy to question anything. “Did you and Miranda plan this? First, she shows up, and now you’re here to check on me?”

Paul asked, “How have you been lately?”

“I’m fine. The doctor said last year’s treatment worked well, and I should continue it this year.”

“That’s good to hear,” he responded.

“Don’t just stand there. Come sit and chat with us.” Then, she turned to Olivia, “Get Paul some rice pudding, and skip the rum raisins–he’s driving.”

“Got it.”

Paul walked over but didn’t sit across from Christine. Instead, he chose to sit next to Miranda.

The three of them chatted for a while before Christine glanced toward the kitchen.

“You two sit tight. I’ll check on Olivia. I wonder what’s taking her so long?” She stood up and headed for

the kitchen.

At that moment, Miranda and Paul were left alone in the spacious living room.

“So, what are you doing here?” she asked.

He cleared his throat. “Just came to check on Dr. Young and thought I’d pick you up on the way.”

“But I drove here.” Miranda didn’t really need anyone to pick her up.

Paul hesitated before saying, “Fine, I admit it. You haven’t returned home yet, and I missed you. I couldn’t sit still, so I drove over.”

His bluntness was strangely charming, and his honesty made him come across as sincère. He didn’t hold anything back, and for a moment, she was left speechless.

“Here, eat this!” She grabbed an apple slice from the plate and popped it into his mouth.

Paul chuckled, and the apple’s sweetness was still on his tongue. Before Miranda could pull her hand back, he caught her wrist and leaned in to press a quick kiss to the back of her hand.

“You… Why do you always kiss randomly?” Miranda chided.

“No. I only kiss you.”

“And you don’t even care where you do it,” she said.

Paul responded, “If I feel like kissing you, why overthink it?” He wondered why worry about where or when?

At that moment, neither of them noticed Christine and Olivia returning with a bowl of rice pudding in

hand.

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