Chapter 28

After lunch, Winter bought two tickets to an animal show. Excited, she took Miranda to see the dolphins. They followed the crowd to the southwest corner of the theme park, where the animal show hall was located. The hall was air-conditioned, a welcome respite from the heat wave outside.

Miranda wasn't particularly interested in the animal show, but Winter loved dolphins. During the interactive session, she gave Miranda her camera to take photos.

Winter's smile was contagious, and Miranda couldn't help but smile too.

Half an hour later, the show ended. Miranda gave Winter her purse because she needed to use the restroom. Rounding a corner, she saw Ingrid washing her hands. She paused briefly, then passed Ingrid and went into a cubicle.

After using the restroom, she emerged to find Ingrid still there, seemingly waiting. Miranda ignored her and washed her hands. Only the sound of dripping water filled the silence. Tension hung in the air.

When Miranda looked up, their eyes met. Calmly, she averted her gaze, as if Ingrid were a stranger.

Ingrid smiled. She gestured toward the bracelet partially hidden beneath her sleeve. "Miranda, fancy meeting you here."

Miranda remained silent.

Undeterred, Ingrid continued, "How are you?"

Miranda smiled calmly and replied, "I'm fine."

Ingrid studied her, trying to discern whether her calm was genuine or feigned. After several seconds, she smiled again. "Really? Life must have been difficult after you moved out of the mansion, huh?"

Miranda replied, "That's none of your business."

"Speaking of which, I should thank you. I mean it." Ingrid's eyes welled up, complementing her innocent expression and making her appear pure and pitiful. "If you hadn't willingly left, I wouldn't have Han all to myself by now."

Miranda listened silently, carefully washing the soap from her hands under the running water, from the back of her hand to her fingertips, with utmost concentration.

"You saw those balloons? It's my birthday today, and Han prepared this birthday surprise for me." Ingrid smiled, unwittingly raising her hand. "Oh, and this—he gave me this as a birthday present. Isn't it pretty?"

"He said my hand is fair and soft, and that this bracelet suits me especially well. Whenever he sees it, he'll want to kiss…" Ingrid blushed, her eyes shining like glimmering pearls.

Miranda immediately recognized the logo on the bracelet as Ingrid turned her wrist. She realized Hansel had been choosing Ingrid's birthday gift when they'd met at the jewelry store the other day.

Turning off the tap, she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The pain snapped her back to reality. She smiled self-deprecatingly. "Oh, yeah? Congratulations, then."

Then she left.

Winter was waiting at the restroom entrance. She waved as Miranda emerged. "Are you still hungry? Why do you look upset?"

Miranda rubbed her temples, feeling tired. "Winter, I want to go home."

Winter's eyes widened. She grabbed Miranda's arm. "Stay a little longer! I just reserved our spot for another attraction through the app." Winking, she continued, "I heard it's the most popular one here—the haunted house."

Miranda paused. "Aren't you afraid of ghosts?"

Although resolute in her life and career, Winter was surprisingly afraid of heights and ghosts. She even paled at the mention of horror movies.

"But you aren't afraid of them! I feel very safe with you by my side." Winter giggled.

Miranda was speechless.

In the end, they went to the haunted house.