Lionel’s warmth toward Paul starkly contrasted with the icy indifference he showed Hansel. The difference was impossible to miss.

Hansel didn’t catch the rest of their conversation, as he had already descended two flights of stairs. He vaguely heard a door close and knew Paul must have entered Miranda’s home.

With a stack of returned gifts, Hansel returned to the empty mansion. Martha had finished her cleaning and left. The house was deserted again, which amplified the loneliness that had taken hold when Miranda first walked out.

He headed upstairs to the master bedroom. The vanity at the foot of the bed had been neglected for a long time, dust-covered bottles of half-used skincare products sitting forlornly on its surface. Their owner had long since abandoned them—just as she had abandoned him.

Hansel opened the drawer where a check, a land transfer, and a diamond bracelet had once been kept.

The diamonds were arranged to form the constellation of Sagittarius. He had commissioned it from designer John Smithson for Miranda’s 22nd birthday, as it symbolized the eternal star in his life.

To surprise her, he staged a fight by ignoring her calls and blocking her on WhatsApp. At midnight on her birthday, he showed up at Bedford College gate with the bracelet to surprise her.

Even after Miranda accepted the bracelet and they had resolved their misunderstandings, Hansel sensed that she wasn’t thrilled.

She wore it a few times, but it seemed cursed. Each time she wore it, they ended up in a fierce argument. Eventually, she locked the bracelet away in the drawer and never wore it again.

“Hans, I really don’t want to fight with you. Every time we argue, I feel like we’re drifting apart…” She had sat down with him then and genuinely tried to talk things out.

He had just come from hanging out with Calvin and the others. Hansel looked sober, but he had already been tipsy. He hadn’t heard a word she said, so he had just nodded vaguely.

When Miranda had brought it up the next day, he had been utterly confused. That had been the first time he had seen such disappointment and sadness in her eyes.

At Miranda’s apartment, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.

“Here, Paul. Try this.” Lionel smiled as he offered him a piece of pork rib.

“Thanks, Mr. Sutton, I can get it myself.”

“How is it? How does it taste?” Lionel asked.

“It’s delicious.”

Lionel’s smile stretched across his face. “Then, eat up.”

“Sure.”

“After you finish, let’s have a game, my brother,” Lionel suggested.

Paul thought, “Sure, a game sounds fine. But could he skip the 'brother' part?” He savored the meal, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

After dinner, Lionel eagerly set up the chessboard and waited for Paul to join him.

Paul rolled up his sleeves. “I’ll help clean the kitchen first.”

“No need. Mimi will handle it,” Lionel said.

His response didn’t mean he didn’t love his daughter. He had already cleaned up the kitchen after cooking. Most of the dishes were done, so there wasn’t much left to do.

Paul hesitated for a moment. “I’m too full and want to move around. I’ll help clean up before joining you.”

Lionel didn’t question it and said, “Okay. Thanks for pitching in.”

“Not a problem.” Paul carried the dishes into the kitchen, where Miranda was tying on her apron. Her movements were awkward as she struggled to tie the strings behind her back.

“Need a hand?” he asked.

She paused for a moment. “That would be great. My hands are greasy, and I’m worried I’ll make a mess.” That explained her stiff movements.

“I got this.” Paul took the ties and quickly fashioned a knot. As he tightened it, the strings pulled inward, which highlighted the curve of her slender waist. He wondered if his hands could wrap around it completely.