Chapter Two.
1214 Words
Chapter Two
“I can’t believe it."
she murmured between breaths.
“The heavens really gave me another chance.”
The memory of her death flickered like smoke in her mind—the betrayal still stung like a fresh wound, the pain still lingering in her heart, the man’s desperate voice begging her to live. And now, here she was, back before it all happened. Alive. Breathing. With a second chance handed to her.
She smiled faintly.
“This time." she whispered.
“This time I'll make sure they get exactly what they deserve. I won't be the nave and stupid Miranda they toiled and trampled upon, I'll not let history repeat itself. "
With renewed resolve, Miranda stood and walked into the bathroom. The warm water hit her skin, washing away the remnants of sleep and fear.
As she brushed her hair, she looked into the mirror again, her expression as sharp as a newly bought blade.
Gone was the naive woman who was belittled and treated like public trash.
That Miranda had died in that dark, cold and deserted room. The one staring back at her now was stronger, wiser and more resilient.
When she came downstairs, the aroma of freshly made food filled the air.
The chandelier lights glowed softly, casting a golden hue over the long dining table. Her family was already gathered—her father at the head, her mother beside him, Chloe and Ethan sitting together likenewly wedded couples.
Miranda scoffed at the sight before her, the laughter, the subtle touches, Chloe smiling brighter than the sun, Ethan grining like he just won the lottery, her parents acting oblivious to the very fact that it was all so wrong.
Her fingers tightened beside her, she won't be very quiet this time she thought, this time she'll come with chaos and drama. They wanted drama? Drama they'll get.
“Miranda,” her mother said, smiling faintly.
“You’re late. We were starting to think you overslept again.”
Miranda gave her a polite smile. "Lovely to see you too dearest mother, I needed some moments to collect my thoughts and rethink my choices."
Her eyes darted to Ethan and Chloe as she said this.
Across the table, Chloe held Ethan's biceps intimately and she subtly leaned towards Ethan. Miranda felt her stomach churn at the sight before her. However she wasn't going to let this go.
“Chloe."
Miranda said suddenly, her tone calm but sharp.
“Do you think it’s appropriate to hold another woman’s fiance so intimately?”
The room went still. Everyone too stunned to speak.
Chloe blinked, her smile faltering for a moment before she forced out a laugh to cover up her trembling voice.
“Oh, Miranda, you’re probably misunderstanding things, Ethan is like a brother to me. "
" If that's how you hold your brother, then we need to re-evaluate your idea of sisterly affection dearest sister. "
Miranda gave her a mocking smile.
Chloe’s cheeks turned red.
“You’re being ridiculous Miranda."
Ethan frowned, looking between both sisters his displeasure obvious.
“Miranda, that’s enough. Chloe was only being nice. Don’t be so forward. She’s the sweetest girl I know.”
The words felt like knives bring driven straight into Miranda's heart, even though she’d already expected them.
Her father cleared his throat.
“Miranda, your sister was only trying to help with the decorations for your engagement dinner. Don’t cause a scene over nothing.”
Her mother nodded quickly, avoiding her gaze.
“Yes, dear. Chloe meant no harm.”
Miranda scoffed softly, her expression darkening.
“Of course. Chloe never means any harm. And I’m always the one overreacting, aren’t I?”
Silence hung over the table.
Chloe forced a small, wounded smile, as if trying to appear gentle and forgiving. Miranda almost laughed at the devious act. Such a white lotus, she thought bitterly.
She pushed her chair back and stood.
“I just remembered something I need to take care of." she said, brushing invisible dust from her dress.
“Please, enjoy dinner without me.”
“Miranda...” her father began, but she was already walking away.
As she stepped out into the cool evening, the air felt calmer and fresher than it had in years, all her anger pain and regret settled into something more gut wrenching, Miranda the tears fall freely ad her feet took her to where the wind choose.
Her heels clicked softly on the pavement as she walked slowly along the road, thunder rubbling as if to warn Miranda of a heavy down pour, but she didn't care. The moon glowing softly as if to comfort Miranda and mend her broken heart, the rain came down with full force.
"Arghhhhhhh!"
Miranda let out a bitter scream, her tears flowing freely like the rain, the memories hitting her like ten thousand arrows. The betrayal of her loved ones hurt beyond what words could describe.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden screeching of tires.
The driver’s door opened, and an average man on glasses and well tailored suit stepped out of the car.
"Miss are you alright?"
Miranda blinked, as if trying to regain her composure.
The man took a stepped forward, stretching his hands towards Miranda. "Miss?"
Behind him, a tall man in a well tailored tuexedo and designer shoes stepped out of the car with a controlled grace and a domeneerig aura, his gaze sharp and cold.
His jaw tightened as he glanced at his watch—his assistant had been gone too long, he didn't understand why. He was about to check the situation when he noticed the teary eyed beauty.
Miranda.
For a split second, something flickered in Alexander’s eyes, recognition, surprise, something soft. But it disappeared like it never came, hidden behind that usual unreadable and blank mask.
Miranda blinked, unable to form proper words, she knew that face, everyone knew the face of the most ruthless Billionaire in all of New York City.
Alexander Kaine.
But she didn’t understand why he felt familiar. Or why his gaze on her was so intense, although his face was unreadable and blank, Miranda swore she something like recognition cross his eyes.
Alexander’s assistant stepped aside to let him through.
“Sir, i thought she needed help or something. She wouldn't say though. "
Alexander’s gaze stayed on Miranda.
He remembered.
Her shaky hands helping him out of the car crash in Paris three for years ago, when everyone avoided his car like some plague, she took it upon herself to take to the hospital even though she was unsure of how to do that in a foreign land.
For four years he has watched her from afar, at first when it started as gratitude and admiration for her level of kindness, but as he watched her it grew into something more tender and intense, a feeling he had never experienced with anyone not even his parents.
Now she looked so broken, but even under this drizzle she was still as beautiful as ever. Alexander what has made her stay under the rain in the middle of the road looking like the world had betrayed her.
Miranda cleared her throat, nerves tightening her voice. “Would you… marry me?”
- Writer
