Hansel skimmed through the documents and called the project manager. “All of these projects are canceled.”

“W–What?” The project manager thought he had misheard. These were some of the company’s flagship projects, with several nearing completion. And now, he was being told they were off the table.

Hansel asked, “Was I unclear?”

“N–No.”

“Are you still not getting it?” Hansel asked again.

The project manager hesitated before answering, “No, I don’t.”

“Then, what’s the problem?”

Cold sweat beaded on the project manager’s brow. “Mr. Johnson, I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to understand. Just follow the orders.”

With over 20 projects scrapped, Hansel faced the daunting task of sifting through the details and figuring out how to minimize the financial fallout. When he was done, night had already fallen.

He stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office. Then, he gazed out at the city lights flickering in the distance, bathed in the glow of the bright moon.

“She was willing to stand against everything and everyone for what she believed in when she was with you. It’s a shame you couldn’t see that.”

Sam’s words echoed relentlessly in Hansel’s mind.

A bitter smile crept onto his face as he realized that regret takes many forms. The most painful was how everyone suddenly raved about the incredible woman he had lost. Before, no one had said a word. He felt they had waited until it was too late to speak up.

A wave of helplessness hit Hansel as he returned to his empty mansion. The stark, desolate living room only amplified his sense of loss.

What was he supposed to do? What options did he have? Then it hit him—Sam had said he’d met Miranda’s parents.

As dawn broke, golden rays of sunlight warmed the world.

Miranda got up and prepared breakfast. She quietly ate alone, careful not to wake Lionel or Mindy, before slipping out for her morning run. Since she didn’t have classes that morning, she swung by the market after her workout.

When Lionel and Mindy woke up, the kitchen was stocked with fresh groceries, and breakfast was ready. “Mimi, what time did you get up?” Lionel asked.

“6:30 am.”

“That early?” He was surprised.

“I woke up naturally.”

As Lionel entered the kitchen and spotted the meat and vegetables on the counter, he asked, “Did you stop by the market?”

Miranda nodded. “The pork ribs look great today. I bought two pounds. Dad, how about we have stewed ribs for lunch?”

“Sounds good! I’ll handle the cooking. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Mindy, who was eating breakfast, looked up in surprise. “Who is it?”

Early morning visitors were unusual. She went to the door and was greeted by a collection of colorful gift boxes.

As her gaze moved up, a vaguely familiar face came into view. “Excuse me, do I know you?” she asked as she struggled to remember the person before her.

Hansel’s smile faltered. “Mrs. Sutton, it’s me, Hansel Johnson.”

Mindy’s face tightened. The confusion that had marked her features vanished and was replaced by a cold stare. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard you and Mr. Sutton were in town, so I thought I’d stop by. It’s just a small token, nothing fancy. I hope you’ll accept it.”

She didn’t move, and her scrutinizing gaze locked on his face.

At that instant, Hansel could feel the awkwardness hit him like a wave. He had been dating Miranda for years but had only met her parents once. It was a rushed dinner, and he’d made an excuse to leave early.

So, his only impression of her parents was that they were an honest, unremarkable couple—ordinary, plain, and entirely forgettable.