When fate plays its hand
hand 545

Chapter 0545

Both of them stood at the viewing platform together, watching the sunset.

The fiery red sun gradually set. It went from a full round sphere to a half sphere, then finally disappearing completely, leaving behind the lingering glow of twilight.

“Let’s go,” Miranda said. “It’s time to head back.”

“Alright, I’ll drive you home.”

A gentle breeze blew past as their gazes met. There was a calm look in their eyes.

In the car, Miranda answered a phone call. Then, she turned to Hansel and said, “Take me back to campus. My professor wants to see me.”

“Okay.”

As the sky darkened, Hansel’s car pulled up in front of Bedford College’s main gate. Hansel got out first and went around to the passenger side and opened the door for Miranda.

She bent slightly and stepped out of the car. After straightening up, she looked at Hansel. “I’ve fulfilled my promise to you. I hope you won’t go back on your word this time.”

Hansel looked at the constantly indifferent expression on her face and couldn’t resist the urge to reach for her hand. As expected, Miranda stepped back, avoiding his touch.

“Mimi, I truly understand my mistakes now. I really want to start over with you. Please, give me one more chance,” he pleaded.

*Miranda merely smiled when she saw the desperate expression on his face. “Initially, I was firmly against it when you made this request. But after giving it more thought, I realized there are some things I should clarify with you. That’s why I agreed.

“You should’ve noticed my intentions, right? What I wanted is not what you assumed. I agreed to spend a day with you, not to rekindle any lingering attachment or to restore our relationship. Instead, I want to make you understand…”

Hansel instinctively knew that what she was about to say wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but reality didn’t give him a choice.

Miranda continued, “A broken mirror can never be made whole again. Once there’s a crack, it is impossible to return to how things were. I hope you won’t waste more time and energy on me, because…

I’m not worth it.

“You’re a businessman, so you understand investment better than I do. Instead of sinking deeper into a project that’s bound to fail, it’s better to cut your losses sooner.

“It might hurt a little, but only by removing the rotting part can the wound fully heal. What you need is just a bit of courage and enough time to heal. It will get better, and we’ll both be fine. Goodbye.”

Miranda waved at him and strode into campus, leaving Hansel standing at that spot in a daze. He could only watch as she walked further and further away until she disappeared from sight.

In the past, he always believed that she would still be waiting for him no matter when he turned back.

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+25 BONUS

Chapter 0545

However, Miranda left first this time. She walked away without looking back.

Hansel knew that he had completely lost her at that moment. His eyes reddened as a dull pain spread through his heart. The unbearable ache he felt was like a knife stabbing his heart, making him feel as though he might cry at any moment.

He staggered backward as if he lost the strength to stand up and collapsed onto a nearby bench.

He didn’t know how much time had passed before a concerned voice broke the silence. Her soft voice was gentle and feminine. “Hey, are you okay?”

Hansel slowly lifted his head. Suddenly, his gaze met a pair of beautiful eyes that were filled with concern and curiosity. He recognized her as the woman he had run into at the main gate twice before.

Once, she had picked up the flowers he had thrown away. The second time, she had taken the cake he

was about to throw as well.

However, Hansel only glanced at her briefly and ignored her question.

Frowning slightly, Willow caught the sight of a Ferrari parked nearby out of the corner of her eye. He had changed cars again.

After thinking for a moment, she sat down next to him cautiously. “You… Are you in a lot of pain?”

He still didn’t give her a response.

Nonetheless, Willow wasn’t discouraged. At least he didn’t reject her sitting next to him. She thought for a moment and asked once more, “Do you need a tissue?”