When fate plays its hand

Miranda immediately pulled out her phone and sent a message to Paul. “Dr. Jefferson, my dad

sent me some braised beef. There’s some for youths well will you be home? I’ll bring it

to you.”

She also sent him a photo along with the message

When

He replied promptly, “Please thank Mr. Sutton for me, but I’ve been staying at the lab lately.” She was relieved that he wasn’t hospitalized.

“The air sample analysis report is out,” she wrote and sent the file to him.

There was no immediate reply this time, so Miranda took a shower. When she came back out, she saw a message that had been sent ten minutes ago and clicked on it.

Paul replied, “The results match the police report. No hallucinogens or aphrodisiacs were detected.”

That was why the Moonville police didn’t pursue the case after their initial inquiry.

Hence, Paul waited a few days before firing Elizabeth because he was waiting for the police’s decision. If they had opened a case, her punishment would have been far more serious than just losing her job.

Still, something didn’t sit right with Miranda. Paul’s reaction that day could not be faked, but the sample analysis found nothing.

The only explanation was that any aphrodisiac–like substances must have dissipated before the air samples were collected. And they had dissipated to the point where they couldn’t be detected, even with advanced technology. Moreover, such drugs didn’t even exist on the market.

Miranda sent another message. “Do you have time for a call?”

A few moments later, Paul called her.”

She picked up and got straight to the point. “…Whoever has access to this kind of drug must have serious connections and resources! Be careful, Dr. Jefferson.”

“Okay.”

With that resolved, silence lingered for a moment.

…Dr. Jefferson.” Miranda broke the silence. “You… haven’t been home lately?” novelbin

There was a pause on the other end. “Yeah.”

“Okay. Take care of yourself. Don’t overwork yourself. Goodnight.”

Paul’s tone was normal enough, and he didn’t seem to be avoiding her like before. Still,

Miranda caught a hint of hesitation in his voice.

She stepped onto the balcony, and the cool night breeze brushed against her face as she smiled faintly. Although she was puzzled about why he was avoiding her, she was never the type to dwell on unnecessary worries.

After everything she had been through with Hansel, she had long stopped letting herself be affected by men’s unpredictable moods..

She had her suspicions–maybe Paul was just shy or awkward. They had shared moments of undeniable closeness, after all. And though she couldn’t deny the subtle stirrings of something new in her heart nor ignore the restrained affection and longing she had seen in his eyes, it didn’t matter.

If a man wouldn’t express his feelings, should a woman wait for him to make the first move? The old Miranda never would have, and the new one certainly wouldn’t.

The flower had bloomed in place, naturally attracting bees. If one bee didn’t gather the nectar, others would.

She had read something online that resonated with her, “Anyone standing under a cherry blossom tree looks beautiful, and honey tastes sweet to anyone who tries it.”

So, there was no point in overthinking it. Some things came when the time was right. But for now, sleep was much more inviting to her.

The night passed without a dream, and morning arrived. Miranda woke up and began packing her bags, as she would stay at the lab for the next two weeks.

It wasn’t just her–Madison, Sebastian, and Joli were also getting ready for a focused stretch of work as a new project had come in.

When Paul finally returned home after a week at the lab and was ready to face Miranda, she was already long gone.

Miranda caught a hint of hesitation in his voice.

She stepped onto the balcony, and the cool night breeze brushed against her face as she smiled faintly. Although she was puzzled about why he was avoiding her, she was never the type to dwell on unnecessary worries.

After everything she had been through with Hansel, she had long stopped letting herself be affected by men’s unpredictable moods.

She had her suspicions–maybe Paul was just shy or awkward. They had shared moments of undeniable closeness, after all. And though she couldn’t deny the subtle stirrings of

something new in her heart nor ignore the restrained affection and longing she had seen in his eyes, it didn’t matter.

If a man wouldn’t express his feelings, should a woman wait for him to make the first move? The old Miranda never would have, and the new one certainly wouldn’t.

The flower had bloomed in place, naturally attracting bees. If one bee didn’t gather the nectar, others would.

She had read something online that resonated with her, “Anyone standing under a cherry blossom tree looks beautiful, and honey tastes sweet to anyone who tries it.”

So, there was no point in overthinking it. Some things came when the time was right. But for now, sleep was much more inviting to her.

The night passed without a dream, and morning arrived. Miranda woke up and began packing her bags, as she would stay at the lab for the next two weeks.

It wasn’t just her–Madison, Sebastian, and Joli were also getting ready for a focused stretch of work as a new project had come in.

When Paul finally returned home after a week at the lab and was ready to face Miranda, she was already long gone.