But what was truly absurd was this-


    They''d only been married for less than a month, and Miranda was already off to another country. With her impressive credentials and sharp legal mind, she''dnded a spot on the legal team at Splendid''s headquarters overseas. Six months had passed, and she hadn''t evene back for a visit. It was obvious she was nning to settle down abroad. Their marriage had turned into a long-distance arrangement-on paper, still married, but in reality, barely more than strangers.


    And yet, every time M traveled abroad for work or an event, she''d somehow find herself cornered by Rnd, who would start grilling her about Miranda. It was enough to drive anyone up the wall.


    She wanted to ask:


    Do these two ever actually talk to each other?


    They are married, after all.


    Judging by Rnd''s anxious demeanor, he clearly cared about her, didn''t he? He even seemed worried Miranda was being pushed around, given that the Wayne family didn''t have the influence of the Lockwoods. He''d asked M, too, if Miranda was alright, but Miranda would justugh it off, breezy as ever. "Who would dare mess with me? Besides, it''s just a marriage of convenience. We both get what we need-why get so serious about it?"


    With her saying that, M had stopped prying. She knew Miranda well enough to know she was never the type to suffer in silence.


    If someone crossed her, she''d settle the score right then and there.


    But marriage... well, that was different. The sweet and bitter parts, the things you couldn''t say aloud-M understood all too well. Even Miranda moving out of the country just a month after the wedding was something M could sympathize with.


    After all,


    Her own marriage had been like that for a long time-seeing each other every day but barely exchanging a word, or only sharing a bed and nothing else. Living together, but as distant as if they were on separate continents; sometimes, it felt even lonelier than being apart. There was no realmunication at all.


    Eventually, it all turned into lies and maniption.


    And betrayal.


    That''s why M no longer expected much from marriage.


    But when it came to Miranda...


    A troubled look flickered across her face.


    "What''s with that expression?" Miranda chuckled, shaking her head in exasperation. "Alright, I''ll call Rnd Lockwoodter and tell him to stop pestering you. Honestly, he acts like I died or something-can''t he just leave you alone for a day?"


    "Don''t say things like that!" M hated hearing people joke about death. "That''s not something you should just throw around," she snapped, lightly smacking Miranda''s arm.


    Miranda only smiled, saying nothing.


    "Ready to go?" Forrest had already loaded their suitcases into the trunk. Standing by the car, he waited for them to finish chatting before calling out with a smile.


    "Yeah, this one''s a keeper." Miranda nudged M''s shoulder, teasing.


    "All aboard!" M, worried Miranda would say something else outrageous, hurried to usher her into the car.


    The drive took them out to an estate on the edge of the city. After Jade''s serious illness, she''d moved to the countryside for the fresh air, slowly handing over thepany to M and retreating to the manor like a grand dame intent on living a life of quiet cultivation.


    They arrived in no time.


    But just before they got out, Forrest hesitated, suddenly looking unsure of himself.


    "Isn''t it a bit sudden to just show up like this?" He nced at his reflection, nervous. "Maybe I should just stay at a hotel tonight, ande back tomorrow in a proper suit?"


    M couldn''t help but look him up and down.


    He was already wearing a tailored white suit that fit him perfectly, entuating his lean frame and giving him an air of understated elegance. How much more formal could he possibly get?


    "Don''t worry," Miranda called from the driver''s seat, turning around with a yful grin. "Trust me, my great-aunt has a soft spot for handsome faces. Mr. Whitmore, you''ll pass with flying colors."


    "Really? Thank you." Forrest gave her a polite smile.


    "Oh,e on!" M''s cheeks flushed as she saw how seriously he took thepliment. She quickly opened the door and tugged Forrest, who was still smiling faintly, out of the car "Let''s go. My great-aunt isn''t that particr!"


    That wasn''t entirely true, of course.


    Jade was a legend at the top of the fashion world, and nothing annoyed her more than poor taste, bad manners, and sloppy dress. Miranda wasn''t wrong, though— Forrest looked impable.


    He was stylish, polite, and carried himself exactly the way her great-aunt liked.


    A valet came to collect the car and


    unievel.


    luggage as Forrest, carrying a carefully chosen gift, followed M and Miranda into the sprawling. estate lush with flowers and greenery. asionally, a uniformed staff member would nod as they passed, and the air was filled with the faint sound of birdsong.


    It really felt like stepping into another world.


    They walked along a rose-lined path, through an ornate foyer, down avish hallway, and into the drawing room. M asked the approaching butler, "Where''s my great-aunt?"


    "In the back garden, Miss." The butler nced at Forrest, who smiled with polite warmth, but didn''t ask any questions. He motioned for a staff member to take Forrest''s gift, then led them toward the garden.


    The closer they got, the more Forrest''s smile seemed fixed in ce, the corners of his lips just a touch too stiff.


    He''d never expected that meeting Jade would make him more nervous than addressing a major conference or defending a research project in front of a room full of experts. His fingers kept fiddling with his already perfectly straight ck tie.


    They were nearly there.


    And then they arrived.


    He stopped beside M, gaze drifting past rows of blooming roses to where an elderly woman, hair snowy white, was bent over in the garden, wielding a spade with surprising vigor.


    "Jade!"


    Hearing her name, the old woman paused and turned, her eyes lighting up as she spotted M waving. Then, her gaze shifted to Forrest, and her expression sharpened, eyes assessing him from head to toe.


    Forrest''s fingers froze on his tie.


    He''d prepared himself mentally for this, rehearsed his opening lines, but nothing could have readied him for the reality of standing before Jade. This was a first— he''d never been so nervous in his life.