When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0731

So what of it?

Love was neither a mere distraction nor a casual game. Once you stepped into it, it demanded your full

devotion.

And Miranda had so much left to accomplish. There were countless projects to complete, countless experiments awaiting her attention.

The vast ocean of “Science“, the towering peaks of “Nature“, the threshold of academia she had just begun to cross–she had only taken the first steps in her journey to conquer the world of research

With so much unfinished business demanding her energy, how could she afford the time or space for

romance?

After listening to her words, Paul felt a subtle heaviness settle in his chest. But it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

If she were the kind of person who would dive into a relationship so easily, she wouldn’t be Miranda Sutton.

“I understand,” he said at last. A soft sigh escaped him as a smile slowly formed, spreading to his eyes.

Miranda returned the smile. “Dr. Jefferson, was the roasted potato good?”

Paul nodded. “It’s sweet.”

Then next time, it’s on me again.”

“Alright.”

They then exchanged goodbyes at their respective doors and went inside.

The first thing Miranda did was unwrap the blue roses, carefully dividing them between two vases. She paired them with the baby’s breath she already had at home, and the blue–and–white arrangement was strikingly beautiful, fresh, and elegant.

She placed one vase on her coffee table and took the other to Paul’s door. After knocking gently, she handed it to him once he opened the door. “Dr. Jefferson, here you go. Put it on your TV stand. It’ll look great there.” Paul looked down at the arrangement. The vivid blue roses were framed by delicate white baby’s breath. It was a pure and breathtaking combination, reminiscent of a clear sky dotted with clouds.

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to be surprised or amused. He was surprised that she had thought to share half the flowers with him, yet amused at how Sam’s grand gesture ultimately seemed so ordinary in

her eyes.

Just like Paul’s earlier, tentative confession, which she had gently deflected with her characteristic

calmness.

It seemed neither of them held any special advantage in her heart.

“Dr. Jefferson, why is it so dark in here?” Miranda glanced past him, noting the unlit living room shrouded in shadows, with the curtains drawn tightly shut.

Paul hesitated, his eyes flickering. “I went straight to the bedroom when I got home, so I didn’t bother turning

on the lights

#

know.”

“Ah, I see…” Miranda didn’t dwell on it. “Well, get some rest. I’ll head back.

“Alright.” Paul watched her retreat to her apartment before closing the door.

He glanced at the vase in his hands with a faint smile tugging at his lips. Then, in the darkness, he walked to his TV stand and carefully set the vase down.

The living room lights flicked on, flooding the space with brightness. The normally pristine floor was now strewn with rose petals. At the center of the room, the petals formed a large heart, surrounded by unlit candles

Paul let out a quiet, self–deprecating laugh. He sat on the sofa for a while, lost in thought. Eventually, he got up, took out a lighter, and began to light the candles one by one.

As the flames came to life, he turned off the lights, letting the warm glow of the candles fill the room.

The blue roses and baby’s breath in the vase on the TV stand looked even more exquisite under the flickering candlelight, their colors harmonizing beautifully.

Paul felt a pang of disappointment, but not sadness. She had once loved Hansel. Now, she loved her research and her academic pursuits

And in the future? Who could say? The possibilities were endless.

That night, Miranda slept peacefully, dreaming sweet dreams.

While in the soft glow of the candles, Paul let his thoughts drift, his mind wandering far and wide. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

When the candles finally burned out, he cleaned up the scattered rose petals and returned to his bedroom. Slowly, he drifted into sleep.

And in his dreams, she was still right there.