When fate plays its hand

Startled, Winter raised her hand and slapped the person.

Zach was too slow to dodge, and the slap landed squarely on his forehead. “Ow! What’s your problem?”

Winter furrowed her brow. “Are you nuts? Why do you sneak up on me like a ghost? Serves you right for getting slapped!”

“You’re the one daydreaming about some random guy, and you’re blaming me? What, have you fallen for Sawyer now? Ha, you fickle woman”

“That’s right. Not only is he handsome, but he can do magic tricks too.”

“Tsk! What’s so great about magic? I bet he learned that trick ages ago to impress young ladies. What’s there to brag about?” Zach shot back.

“Exactly! He’s experienced and a good charmer. It makes me like him even more…”

Π

“You!” Zach gritted his teeth in frustration. “What’s so good about a greenhorn like him?”

“As long as I like him… Wait a minute! How did you get in?” Winter suddenly realized something was off.

Zach cleared his throat guiltily.

“Zach…” Winter warned, narrowing her eyes.

“Don’t shout at me. Save your energy, so you can yell all you want in bed later.”

“Get lost.”

Zach put on a naughty smile, and his gaze grew more brazen. “We haven’t done it in two days. Don’t tell me you’re not craving it?”

Winter’s gaze shifted slightly. The next second, Zach scooped her up in his arms and threw her onto the bed.

He unbuttoned his shirt and pressed down on her with a smirk. “I told you I’d deal with you. Did you think I was joking?”

Winter propped herself up with a taunting smile. “You? Really?”

“Try me,” he said.

An intense night followed, thick with passion and allure.

While some people were relishing in revelry, others were weighed down by somber emotions.

The lights were off, leaving the room in darkness. Only the moonlight filtered in through the

balcony, casting a soft glow into the room.

Paul stood by the window, his lonesome figure blending with the endless darkness of the night. He seemed to be gazing into the distance, but his eyes were unfocused and blank.

The photo that Winter had sent him earlier in the day was seared in his mind.

Miranda was wearing a knitted dress paired with cropped cardigan as she sat on a couch in front of the floor–length window. She seemed to be listening intently to the man who was sitting beside her.

He was taller than her by a head. In the photo, he was looking down at her with an affectionate and captivated expression.

The sunlight bathed the two of them in a warm glow, like a natural filter that framed them in an invisible photo frame. They looked exactly like a couple deeply in love.

However, no one had any idea that the veins bulged out on Paul’s forehead the moment he saw the photo. His usually calm eyes were instantly stirred up by a storm of emotions.

Hadn’t she said that studies came first and that she wasn’t considering being in a relationship?

Paul knew Miranda well.

She wouldn’t have agreed to have a meal with Sawyer if she didn’t at least acknowledge him inwardly. She wouldn’t listen attentively to him if she didn’t find him tolerable, let alone accept the flower he offered.

Why?

“Miranda, you’re so unfair…” Paul muttered under his breath.

However, no one was there to respond in the darkness. novelbin

Clenching his fists, Paul took several deep breaths in order to suppress the surge of resentment and jealousy in his heart. He could clearly feel the tumult of emotions within himself. The struggling desires and his yearning for Miranda….

Paul didn’t know how much longer he could keep it under control, or if his reason would prevail over his desires the second time.

If he didn’t…

He didn’t know what he might do, nor did he want to imagine hurting her. However, he couldn’t suppress the pent–up resentment and desire much longer.

Paul had tried his best. Perhaps it had worked in the past, but not anymore.

It hadn’t worked for a long time now.

A low chuckle escaped his lips in the darkness. It was filled with self–mockery, bitterness, and a deep sense of helplessness.

20

Oh, Paul. He could only look at the state he had fallen into…