When fate plays its hand

Sam’s gaze was fixed intently on Hansel.

Hansel felt a chill run down his spine under the weight of that stare.

Then, Sam smirked. “You’re here to gloat, aren’t you?”

Hansel nodded and admitted, “Yes.”

“Since you just came, why didn’t you stick around for the whole show?”

Hansel raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“My grandparents and my mom had a falling out.”

“And?” Hansel didn’t understand what any of this had to do with him.

Sam sighed. “You didn’t know the Garrisons adopted my mom?”

Hansel’s body tensed at the revelation.

“I’m not related to Miranda by blood,” Sam said casually while taking a long drag from his cigarette.

Hansel let out a derisive laugh. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re blood–related or not. When Mr. Garrison Senior announced Miranda as a member of the Garrison family, you’re nothing but her cousin. novelbin

“The public doesn’t care about the specifics. All they know is that both of you are from the Garrison family.

“Even if Miranda and I broke up, I know her better than anyone. And with you stuck in being her cousin–whether it’s by blood or just a title–she’ll never see you as anything else. She won’t pick you, not in a million years. Face it, Sam. You’re out, and you still don’t get it?”

He smirked, and his eyes gleamed with a mix of challenge and mockery.

Sam’s icy gaze locked onto Hansel for a long moment. After what felt like an eternity, he finally cracked a smile.

“If you really understand her like you say you do, then you should know how much she values family. Even if we can’t be together, I’ll always be there for her as her family- legitimately. I’ll always be there to care for her and to protect her. But you?”

He continued, “Even getting close to her is a luxury you can’t afford. The person who hasn’t faced reality here is you, Hansel. Not me.”

Sam’s words hit home with brutal precision. Hansel trembled, and his eyes turned bloodshot. “This isn’t over. We’ll see who gets the last laugh.”

After delivering his final jab, he turned and stormed off. Despite never having won an argument, he couldn’t resist picking another fight with Sam.

And Sam? Even though he had won, there was no satisfaction in it.

Meanwhile, Miranda returned to the Garrison estate with her parents.

After a long, exhausting day, Mindy immediately started massaging her aching legs as soon as she walked in the door.

“Socializing is more draining than writing a book,” she said with a sigh. “My feet are killing me from those high heels. From now on, I’m avoiding events like this unless it’s necessary.”

Lionel hurried over to massage her legs and agreed, “You’re right. We should cut back on these kinds of events. Come on. Let’s head to the bedroom, and I’ll give you a proper

massage.”

11

“Alright…” Mindy said, and the two of them headed upstairs.

Miranda was left alone in the living room and looked confused. Just then, her phone rang. When she saw the caller ID, her expression softened. “Hello, Dr. Jefferson?”

“Miranda, congratulations.”

“Thank you for coming today.” She had only sent invitations to Winter and Paul, and both had shown up.

“You… looked beautiful today.” Paul’s voice faltered slightly as though he wasn’t used to giving compliments.

Miranda paused, and then a smile crept onto her lips. “Am I only beautiful today?”

“Uh…” He paused, then quickly corrected himself. “I–I didn’t mean it like that. I meant you looked wonderful today. Of course, you’re always beautiful…”

“Really?” she teased.

“Yes,” he replied earnestly.

Miranda couldn’t hold back her laughter.

On the other end, Paul scratched his head awkwardly while still holding his phone.

With the holiday over, the Easter break came to an end.”

As the new semester approached, Lionel had to return to Lumberville. In contrast, Mindy

was preparing for a trip to Echo Bay with Warren to discuss taking their publishing rights abroad.

Though Aren and Fiona would miss them, they understood that their daughter and son–in- law had their own careers and lives to manage. They had also grown accustomed to life in Lumberville and didn’t plan on staying in Elgerson for long