Miranda sat at her work desk, focused intently on the sketch of her design.
Time passed slowly, but eventually, Miranda smiled with satisfaction at the completed draft in her hands. She scanned the original and sent it to Mallory, the bar owner.
The reply came quickly: the final payment, along with a few heartfelt words of praise. It was clear Mallory was thrilled with her design.
Though the payment wasn’t a significant amount for Miranda, it marked something far more important-a new beginning in her life.
She took a sip of water and glanced once again at the painting on the wall, Versailles Twilight. It served as a constant reminder to herself: she would never return to the fate of a housewife. Instead, she aspired to shine in her own world, just as her mother had.
The doorbell rang suddenly, pulling Miranda out of her thoughts. She stood and walked to the door.
When she opened it, a massive bouquet of roses nearly engulfed the person holding them.
“Tony? You’re here again?” Miranda asked, a tinge of exasperation in her tone.
Since she had announced her divorce, Tony had been showing up almost every week with extravagant bouquets. Her apartment was overflowing with roses-on the coffee table, windowsill, dining table, and even in her bedroom. She glanced around at the arrangements, some still fresh, others wilting.
Tony held the bouquet in his arms and flashed his signature smile, the one that could make millions of his female fans swoon. But Miranda was unmoved.
“Miranda,” Tony said, his voice soft and playful, “I couldn’t help myself. Every time I see roses, I think of how beautiful you are.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out an elegant jewelry box. Opening it revealed a necklace adorned with a ruby the size of a pigeon’s egg.
“What are you trying to do?” Miranda asked, her brows furrowing as she looked at Tony.
“Don’t you remember? When we were kids, I promised you something,” Tony said with a boyish grin, his endearing dimples on full display. “I told you I’d give you the most precious necklace in the world when we grew up.”
Miranda’s mind drifted back to her childhood. Tony had been her neighbor back then.
Whenever her parents were busy with their business, Tony would climb over the low garden wall to keep her company during her lonely moments.
Tony had been chubby as a child, often bullied by other kids.
Miranda was the only one who stood up for him, chasing away those mean children and reassuring him, “It’s okay. You can play with me.”
Perhaps out of gratitude, little Tony had always told her he loved her.
To Miranda, those words had been nothing more than a child’s playful remarks. She had never taken them seriously.
But Tony had.
Miranda had always loved shiny jewelry as a child, and Tony had sworn he would one day give her the most precious necklace in the world. Miranda had laughed and replied casually, “If you give me a necklace, I’ll marry you and be your bride.”
Later, Miranda’s family moved away, and she lost touch with Tony.
Many years passed before they reunited. By then, Tony had shed his childhood weight, transforming into a tall and handsome man.
But he still remembered his childhood vow.
Miranda snapped back to the present and smiled at him. “Tony, you know those were just childish jokes.”
“I never thought of them as jokes,” Tony said earnestly. “I’ve loved you from the beginning-and I still do. I want to share my life with you, Miranda. I want you to be my bride.”
He took a deep breath, his voice tinged with pain. “When I heard you got married, it broke my heart. But when I found out about your divorce, I knew my chance had finally come.”
Miranda’s expression turned cold. Her voice sharpened with a warning. “I’m seeing someone else now, Tony.”
“Miranda…” Tony’s tone softened into a plea. “Just give me a chance. I’ve loved you for so many years. Don’t I deserve at least a fair shot?”
Miranda didn’t reply. She sat on the sofa, picked up her glass of water, and took a slow sip, hoping her silence would calm him down.
Tony, frustrated by the lack of response, ran his hands through his hair. “What does Eric have that I don’t? Why won’t you even look at me?”
“Tony,” Miranda said, her voice cold and firm as she set the glass down, “If you keep this up, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Tony’s face shifted, a flicker of struggle flashing through his eyes. Finally, he gritted his teeth, his voice dropping to a menacing tone. “I didn’t want it to come to this, Miranda, but you’ve forced my hand.”
Miranda frowned, her tone wary. “What are you trying to say?”
“I’m the only one who knows your secret,” Tony said, his voice low and threatening. “Your real identity.”
Miranda’s frown deepened. She hadn’t expected Tony to use this against her.
“What do you think Eric will do if he finds out the truth? Or Broad? Do you think they’d still trust you?”
Miranda sighed.
She knew Tony wasn’t malicious. He was just a big kid who hadn’t grown up. But his words had left her in a tricky situation.
If she didn’t handle this carefully, it could jeopardize everything she had worked for.
Seeing her hesitation, Tony’s tone softened again. “Miranda, all I’m asking for is a fair chance. That’s it.”
Miranda rubbed her temples, her voice laced with resignation. “Tony, you’re giving me a headache.”
She looked at him, a trace of compromise in her eyes. “Fine. I’ll tell you the truth about my relationship with Eric-but you have to promise to keep it a secret.”
“I promise!” Tony said eagerly.
Miranda’s voice was calm as she revealed, “Eric and I aren’t really a couple. We just have an arrangement.”
Tony’s face lit up with a smile he couldn’t hide. “So I still have a chance?”
Miranda turned her gaze once more to the painting on the wall, her mother’s artwork.
She would never forget her dreams.
Her marriage to Broad had already left her scarred. She had no energy left for romance-not now, with a custody battle for her daughter looming.
“Tony, I’m sorry,” Miranda said at last. “I’m not in the mood for a relationship right now.”
“That’s okay,” Tony replied, his tone surprisingly light. “I know what you’re trying to do, and I’ll be here for you. I’ll help you accomplish everything you want. And if, someday, you’re ready for love, I’ll be right here, waiting for you.”