When fate plays its hand

Chapter 1012

Christine asked, “Oh, you’re talking about Emilia Quimby?”

Miranda echoed, “Emilia Quimby?”

“Yeah, she and Paul were in the Department of Biology together. I heard she was the campus belle back then.”

Miranda smiled and nodded. “She really was beautiful.”

Emilia’s natural look was simple yet striking, sporting side bangs and a high ponytail. Despite that, she stood out instantly, and her beauty was impossible to overlook.

“Rumors had it she and Paul were a couple.” Christine was unable to suppress a smile. “But… he later switched to the Physics Faculty, and she went abroad. The rumors just kind of died down after that.

“Paul hasn’t been in a relationship all these years. I wonder if he’s still thinking about her. Miranda, why’d you suddenly ask about her?”

Miranda smiled and said casually, “Oh, nothing. Just curious.”

“By the

way, where’s Olivia? I knew you were coming, so I told her to make rum raisin rice pudding,” Christine said.

“She went out to buy groceries. I can go get it myself.

“Alright, then get me some also,” Christine said.

Miranda shook her head. “No.”

Christine was dumbfounded.

Miranda continued, “The doctor said low sugar diet and no alcohol.”

Christine panicked. “But… it’s not that alcoholic. I even told Olivia to use less sugar…‘

Miranda remained firm. “Still no.”

Christine went silent.

Miranda said, “But I can make you some gourmet honey instead.”

Christine’s face lit up immediately. “Yes, please.”

11 noveldrama

When Olivia returned from grocery shopping, she noticed the stove was şimmering with the honey mixture. “Let me guess, Miranda?”

gourmet

Christine nodded. “She’s not letting me have any rum raisin rice pudding.” Her voice was tinged with mock indignation.

“Well, gourmet honey is good for you. It’s healthy.”

“Yeah, but it’s so bland,” Christine responded.

Still, it was better than nothing.

Dinner was a joint effort–Olivia handled the prep work while Miranda cooked. Miranda had no choice since Christine loved the food she made.

After the meal, Olivia pulled Miranda aside and whispered, “Dr. Young ate more than usual tonight. When you have the time, you should drop by more often. She’s always thinking about you.”

“Okay,” Miranda replied.

Once the table was cleared and the dishes were left for Olivia to handle, Miranda finally had a moment to check her phone.

When she unlocked her phone, she saw three missed calls from Paul. So, she quickly called him back.” What’s up?”

There was a pause on the other end for a couple of seconds. “Nothing… I just wanted to ask when you’re coming back. I miss you.”

He spoke in a low and husky voice, which carried an intimate tone that sent a shiver through her. Miranda smiled faintly. “Didn’t we just see each other this morning?”

“It’s not enough,” Paul responded.

She was speechless.

“Miranda, I wish I could spend every moment with you.

Two weeks ago, Miranda wouldn’t have believed Paul could ever say something so sentimental. But now, she had to admit this was her new reality.

“I think I’ll stay a little longer. I want to spend more time with Dr. Young,” she said.

“Alright.”

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call.

When Miranda turned to head back inside, she noticed Christine watching her with an amused smile.

“Miranda, come here. I have something to show you.”

Miranda followed Christine to the study, where she pulled out a metal box from the cabinet. It wasn’t small, and its surface showed the marks of time.

“What’s this?” Miranda asked.

Christine replied, “When you asked about Emilia earlier, it reminded me of this box. Back when Paul transferred to the Physics Faculty, his classmates threw him a farewell party.

“Everyone brought gifts, but no one had the nerve to give them to him directly. So, they put everything in this box and asked me to pass it to him.

“But shortly after, he went abroad. His undergraduate program was a two–plus–two–two years here and another two years abroad. I never got the chance to give this to him.

“The graduation photo you saw earlier was taken two years later when he returned for the graduation

ceremony. His former classmates from the Department of Biology even dragged him over to take the picture with them.”