Chapter 7

After the birthday party ended, Miranda helped the housekeeper tidy up, then brought a cup of warm milk upstairs for Abigail. Standing outside the door, she heard Abigail crying through the crack in the door. Her steps instinctively slowed. She saw Wayne's silhouette inside. It sounded like a private moment between the two of them. Not wanting to intrude, Miranda was about to leave when she heard Abigail's voice. "She's the only child Ramona left behind. If I hadn't run into trouble with my business all those years ago, I would've taken her in myself. There's no way I would've let Lucas marry her. "I can tell what her life's been like these past few years. She's changed so much. I almost wouldn't recognize her if I passed her on the street. If her parents were still alive, they'd be heartbroken. So, why shouldn't I look out for her?" Miranda's eyes reddened, and she felt her throat tighten. "I'd thought about making her my goddaughter, but Priscilla put me on the spot. What could I say? Besides, it's not like I really claimed you two were engaged." "You shouldn't have told them I liked her. That was misleading on purpose," Wayne said coldly. "You liked her when you were little!" Abigail insisted. Wayne frowned. Seriously? Was she really bringing up how he felt about Miranda when they were just kids? Abigail said, "When you two were separated, Ramona teased Miranda that if she wanted to go with you, she'd have to bring her birth certificate. "After that, Miranda actually went and dug it out, and you just grabbed her hand and took her with you! I just said it was a matter of fate. What did I say that was so wrong?" Wayne was left speechless. Just then, Abigail asked, "Did you see Miranda today?" "No." Her tone shot up. "So, did you just assume she was the problem? This was my idea! I let them believe you two were basically engaged so she'd have someone watching her back. She doesn't have parents. Someone has to stand up for her! "I don't need you to do anything, and you don't have to put on a show. Just don't contradict my story. Let her finish her divorce in peace. Once she's settled, I'll bring her home and make her my goddaughter. "I'm sure you can handle those rumors since you're a big company's president. And if you meet someone else in the meantime, I'll explain everything myself!" Abigail left no room for him to refuse. Wayne leaned back in his chair, letting out a soft, almost irritated laugh. When he was eight, his parents divorced. He lived with his father, while Abigail settled in Darsland. After she left, Abigail barely came back to visit, and their relationship was always distant. He never expected her to drop a bombshell like this. He hadn't seen Miranda himself, but as soon as Abigail mentioned Lucas, he knew exactly who Miranda was. He still remembered that day in the mall, overhearing Miranda's conversation with Hazel. It was as vivid as if it happened yesterday. He'd decided Miranda was scheming and calculating, clearly someone who knew how to get her way. No wonder she had the idea to win him over as a way to get back at Lucas. He asked, "Are you saying it's all her husband's fault, and she hasn't done a single thing wrong?" As expected, Abigail immediately jumped to Miranda's defense. In Wayne's eyes, Abigail was the kind of person who wouldn't even realize it if someone was using her, while Miranda was the kind who knew exactly how to manipulate others. He decided to let Abigail see Miranda's true colors. "Three months," Wayne said coldly, almost devoid of emotion. "I won't deny it during that time. That should be long enough for her to finalize the divorce." And it should be enough time for her to reveal her true colors. With that, Wayne stood to leave. Abigail called after him, "Wait! At least meet her once." "No need," he replied. He opened the door and walked out. Miranda was no longer in the hallway. She hadn't expected Abigail to get Wayne to go along with the rumor for her sake. Not wanting Abigail to fall out with Wayne because of her, she went to try and talk her out of it. But Abigail had tried so hard to get Wayne's agreement, so she wasn't about to give up that easily. "If you can't stand his attitude, just avoid him. Pretend he doesn't exist. If he has a problem, let him stew about it! Three months will pass in no time." "I don't dislike him," Miranda said quietly, though in truth, she had her own reservations. Abigail held Miranda's hand tightly, her voice gentle but firm. "Miranda, without anyone in your corner, the divorce won't go smoothly." Lucas would have 100 ways to hide his money and drag things out, so Miranda wouldn't see a penny. "Are you really willing to walk away with nothing?" she asked. Miranda shook her head. "Thank you, Abigail. I'll finalize the divorce as quickly as I can so that Wayne won't have to put up with this, and you won't be caught in the middle." "Don't worry about me. Just don't let yourself be wronged," Abigail said. Miranda felt a wave of warmth rise in her chest. Abigail kept Miranda for two more days. When Miranda left, Abigail bought her a first-class ticket and personally drove her to the airport. Once on the plane, Miranda was surprised to spot Wayne just across the aisle. The words she had overheard outside Abigail's room played back in her mind. She found herself nervously picking at her fingernail before she stopped, realizing there was no point. Wayne looked as calm and distant as ever. He already had his earbuds in, barely acknowledging anything around him. It probably wasn't because he hadn't noticed her—Miranda knew he just felt that no one was worth his attention. The plane took off smoothly soon after. Up ahead, a little boy was jumping in his seat, his mother shushing him every time he got too loud. Miranda's heart sank as she thought of Jake. She connected to the in-flight Wi-Fi and messaged Hazel, asking if she could stay at her vacant apartment for a while. Hazel fired off a string of emojis, teasing that Miranda could stay with her instead. She always needed a pretty roommate. Miranda smiled as she replied. Suddenly, the little boy in the aisle stopped moving, his face turning purple. His mother immediately sensed that something was wrong. "Jordan? What's wrong? Help! Somebody help!" The flight attendants rushed over, but they didn't speak the same language, and the mother's anxiety made it difficult to communicate. All eyes in first class turned to watch. From what the mother said in a panic, Miranda quickly pieced together what had happened—the boy was choking on a piece of candy. Miranda stepped forward and said, "Let me help. I've had first aid training." The mother grabbed Miranda's arm, as if it were a lifeline. "Please! Please help my son!" Miranda moved behind the boy and performed the Heimlich maneuver, squeezing his abdomen twice. The candy shot from the boy's throat, bouncing off the cabin wall, and he started coughing violently. Miranda gently patted his back, soothing him until his breathing steadied. Then, the boy burst into frightened tears. His mother, crying as well, hugged him tightly and thanked Miranda over and over. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I wouldn't have known what to do if you hadn't been here today." Miranda gently patted the mother's shoulder, trying to comfort her. She had learned first aid in university, thinking it might come in handy while traveling for photography, whether to help herself or someone else. But in the end, she only used it a couple of times to save Jake—once when he choked on a fish bone, and once when he swallowed water at the pool. Both times, it felt like her whole world was about to collapse. "It's alright now. Just calm him down and keep an eye on him. When you land, take him to a doctor to be sure his throat wasn't scratched by the candy." "I understand. Thank you." "Don't mention it." Miranda smiled and turned, then met Wayne's eyes. His gaze was deep and unreadable. Miranda's heart skipped a beat. When had he started watching? In Wayne's earbuds, Warren's voice shouted in his ear. "Hey, are you listening to me or what?" Ignoring him, Wayne looked at Miranda. "Are you Rita?" The question left Miranda puzzled. She remembered introducing herself when they met at the exhibition. So, had he not believed her at the time? Or was he only recognizing her now? "Yes," she answered. Wayne pulled out his business card and handed it to her. "Wayne Sunders," he said simply. Miranda took the business card as he continued, "I really like your photography. I'd like you to shoot the promotional photos for my company. The pay is negotiable. Think it over." The gold print on the card—Pama Group—caught Miranda's attention. If she could land a contract with Pama Group, her career would take off. In Wayne's earbuds, Warren's voice came through again. "Hey, who are you talking to?" Miranda was about to reply when Wayne turned away and said coolly, "No one." Warren went on, "Miranda's beautiful, honestly. She could pass for a celebrity. I found her picture. Do you want to see?" "I'm not interested," Wayne replied indifferently. "What if she's interested in you? A beauty like her could win you over easily, especially with your mom on her side. Are you ready for that?" Wayne glanced at the phone number Abigail had sent him a few days ago. He saved it to his contacts and began typing a message to Miranda. "I'll have her out of my life," Wayne said coldly. "You're heartless," Warren replied. Ignoring Warren's words, Wayne hit send. Just then, a message alert sounded right next to him. He turned and noticed the faint mark of a ring on Miranda's finger.