Chapter 8

Miranda stared at the black WhatsApp profile picture on her phone. The name was simple—Wayne. The "About" section read, "Wayne Sunders." She froze for a moment, worried that Wayne had figured out Rita and Miranda were actually the same person. Wayne clearly had a problem with Miranda. If he realized she was Miranda, there was no way she'd get the job with Pama Group. Miranda didn't dare turn her head, worried that her guilt would show in her expression, exposed under Wayne's sharp, watchful gaze. She sent a message to Hazel. It wasn't until the notification pinged with Hazel's reply that Miranda finally felt the weight of Wayne's stare lift from her. After a moment, Miranda switched her phone to silent and replied to Wayne's message. Just before landing, a new message from him popped up. "Hello, this is Wayne Sunders. I've promised my mother I'll go along with this for three months. In the meantime, get your divorce finalized as soon as possible. Don't use this arrangement to stir up trouble." The warning was clear. Miranda replied, "I understand, Mr. Sunders. Thank you for your help. I won't overstep or use Abigail to scheme for anything. You have nothing to worry about." The only "scheme" she had was hoping to land the job with Pama Group and earn the salary that came with it. After sending her message, Miranda watched Wayne glance at his phone, but he didn't respond. The plane touched down smoothly. "Mr. Sunders." Miranda spoke first as they took their luggage down from the overhead compartment. "For the product shoot you mentioned, should I discuss the details with you directly?" Wayne's gaze lingered on her for a second before he pulled out his phone. "Would you mind saving my number, Rita?" he asked politely, but the pressure was unmistakable. Miranda's heart skipped a beat, but she pulled out her phone, saved his number, and sent him a message on WhatsApp. Wayne glanced at his screen and then put his phone away before asking, "Are you free this Saturday?" "Yes, I am," Miranda replied. "Do you not need to be with your husband and child?" he asked pointedly. Miranda smiled politely. "To be honest, I'm already divorced, and I don't have any children." Wayne didn't say anything else and left the plane. Miranda let out a barely noticeable sigh of relief. She wasn't vain enough to think Wayne wanted her number because he was interested in her. He was probably suspicious of her identity, maybe even testing her family background. Thank goodness she had the foresight to keep two phones and two WhatsApp accounts, or she would've been exposed by now. As she walked out of the airport, her phone buzzed. Wayne had sent another message, forwarding a business card. "You'll handle the work arrangements with him." Miranda finally felt at ease. Clearly, Wayne had just been testing her. ... Miranda spent the night at a hotel, then drove back to the villa the next morning. Celine looked surprised when Miranda walked in. "Mrs. Holden, you're finally back!" "Where are Lucas and Jake?" Miranda asked. "Mr. Holden said he'd pick up Jake after work, so they should be home soon." "I'll wait, then." Celine brewed the tea Miranda loved and watched her with a hint of hesitation. Then, unable to hold back, she asked, "Where have you been these past few days?" "I just needed some time to clear my head. I even found a new job," Miranda said, her eyes lighting up at the mention of it. "That's wonderful! You must be exhausted. Let me make you something to eat." "No need. I'm only here to pick up the divorce papers, then I'll be on my way." Celine was stunned. "Mrs. Holden, are you really getting divorced?" "I am." Celine let out a quiet sigh. Maybe it was for the best. She just wished she could leave with Miranda, too. ... For the past few days, Lucas had picked Jake up from kindergarten every evening. Eva would offer to come along, and Lucas never refused. Sometimes, he would even have Eva stay for tea or dinner, purposely stalling. He hoped Miranda would come back and see it for herself, as a little payback for disappearing on him. However, Miranda never came back. Lucas had considered giving Miranda a call, but his pride wouldn't let him. She was always the one who backed down. Why should it be his turn now? If he gave in once, he would never be able to stand his ground again. Besides, even if he did call, he couldn't reach her because she had already blocked his number. ... At the kindergarten, Lucas stayed in the car while Eva got out and waited by the gate. Jake stood in line, glancing outside. When he spotted Eva, he bit his lip, lowered his head, and slowly walked out, tugging at the hem of his shirt. A group of parents stood nearby, and one asked, "Eva, you're here again. Where's Mrs. Holden? I haven't seen her in days." Eva smiled. "She's just busy, so I'm filling in." The other parents gave each other knowing looks and started whispering among themselves. "Busy? It's more likely that that shameless woman is trying to take her place." "Who's she trying to fool? Why would anyone send an assistant to pick up their kid? Lucas is such a jerk, and Eva has no shame at all." Eva heard every word, her face turning pale. She clenched her fists but refused to back down. She had made her choice. If she wanted to take this step, she would have to deal with all the nasty rumors. As Jake came out, a chubby boy named Charlie Benson called after him, hurrying to catch up. "Jake, why isn't your mom picking you up? Does she not want you anymore?" Jake shot back, "I'm the one who doesn't want her!" Charlie's eyes lit up. His mother had died giving birth to him, so he'd been raised by his father and grandparents. "You don't want her? Then give me your mom! Grandma, Jake's mom makes the best cookies. Let's go get her to be my mom!" Jake was instantly furious. He shoved Charlie. "Dream on! If I don't want her, you can't have her, either!" After pushing Charlie, Jake ran off without even apologizing, and Eva hurried after him. Charlie's grandmother snapped, "That shameless woman didn't teach that ungrateful brat any manners at all. No wonder his mom doesn't want him!" The parents around her all chimed in, agreeing loudly. When Jake made it to the car, Eva caught up and opened the door for him. He climbed into the back seat without a word, sulking. Lucas had one hand on the steering wheel, the other holding a cigarette and resting outside the window. He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw that Jake was in a bad mood. "What's wrong?" Eva replied, "A kid at kindergarten was teasing him. He's just upset." Jake grumbled, "It's all Mom's fault! If it weren't for her, that stupid fat kid wouldn't have dared to say anything!" Lucas said nothing, taking a few drags from his cigarette. He only put the cigarette out when Jake coughed in the back. Miranda used to remind him about things like that. Now, without her, it barely crossed his mind. Trying to cheer Jake up, Eva suggested, "How about I treat you to a burger tonight?" Lucas frowned. Burgers again? Jake had eaten burgers three out of four days that week. Lucas said, "Not today. We're eating at home tonight." Jake glared out the window, his face puffed up in anger. At that moment, Lucas watched in the rearview mirror, struck by how much Jake looked like Miranda. He remembered that back in school, there was a time he threw a bug onto Miranda's desk, scaring her so badly she jumped out of her seat. The teacher had given them detention as punishment. Miranda had puffed up just like that. It always made him want to pinch her cheeks and make it up to her. But over time, she stopped doing it. Besides, Lucas realized Miranda would always give in. So, he stopped bothering to make things up to her. ... When they got home, Jake got out of the car without a word. Eva was about to follow him when Lucas spoke up. "You've worked enough today. Let the driver take you home." With Miranda gone, there was no point putting on a show. Eva forced a smile and nodded. Lucas got out of the car and saw Jake stop halfway up the stairs, then storm off with a huff, turning his head away. He never acted like that with anyone except Miranda. Lucas felt a pang in his chest. He quickly went up the stairs and found Miranda in the house. She looked the same as always, but there was something different—a new spark, as if something in her had come alive again. Lucas stared at her, feeling his throat go dry. Miranda stood up as they came in, but Lucas suddenly turned back, calling, "Evie, come in." Miranda lowered her gaze, her lashes casting a soft shadow as she let out a bitter laugh. A little while later, Eva walked in, her smile gentle and polite, looking every bit the lady of the house. "Mrs. Holden." Jake rushed over to Eva, clinging to her hand. "Stay for dinner, Eva. Please don't go." Lucas called out, "Celine, Evie's here. Make something she likes." Hearing that, Celine paused for a moment. Lucas then looked at Miranda and added, "Set another place at the table." Jake immediately shouted, "No! She's not allowed to eat with us! I don't want her in this house!" Miranda replied calmly, "Don't trouble yourselves. I'm only here to pick up the divorce papers. I'll be leaving right after."