Panl said, “You told me to

Paul said, “You told me to light the candle, so I did…”

Miranda raised an eyebrow at his words. She was no longer in a hurry to leave. “And then?”

Paul remained silent.

“Turns out there was a surprise, right?” Miranda sighed with a smile on her face. She acted as if it didn’t bother her at all.

“When the wax melted, there were words inside.”

Miranda asked curiously, “What did it say? I love you? I like you? Love you forever?”

It was a confession, after all. Those were the go–to phrases if one wanted something short and to the point.

Paul’s silence confirmed her guess.

Miranda couldn’t help but give him a once–over. Her gaze was meaningful as she scanned him from head to toe and back again.

Paul gave her a wry smile. “Mimi, don’t scrutinize me like that.”

“What’s wrong? Can’t I admire how attractive you were in your youth?”

In those photos, he looked every inch the perfect gentleman, exuding a distinguished and refined air. He was the very picture of a dashing young man with great potential.

No wonder he attracted the attention of so many young women….

Paul couldn’t help but frown when he met her amused gaze “Are you not angry?”

She was taken aback. “Angry?”

“Yes. That night, Dr. Young said you asked about Emilia.”

“And then?”

“She told you all the rumors about me and Emilia back then

Miranda understood where he was coming from. “So, you thought I would be angry?”

“Isn’t that the case?“!

If she wasn’t angry, why would she ask about Emilia? If she wasn’t upset, why would she ignore the gift from Emilia?

Miranda surely cared, right?

When the possibility that she was jealous came to Paul’s mind, he felt an inexplicable sense of delight.

She cared about this because she loved him. She would only be jealous precisely because she cared about him.

However, Miranda shook her head. “That’s not it. I wasn’t angry. The reason I asked about Emilia was because the way she looked at you in the graduation photo was different from everyone else. I was curious, that’s why I asked

about her.

“As for the rumors about you two, Dr Young did mention them to me. However, it doesn’t matter whether they’re true or false because it’s all in the past now.”

Miranda herself had a past. She never avoided or denied it. Naturally, she respected that other people would have their pasts too.

So what if Paul and Emilia were together before? No one could change their past.

She and Hansel had a history too. How could she expect her current boyfriend to be a blank slate?

Besides that, Paul had told her personally that he never had a girlfriend before, and that she was his first love. Someone as straightforward as him wouldn’t lie about such things.

Miranda believed him and genuinely didn’t care if he had a past. That was why she didn’t think there was anything to be angry about.

However, Paul’s furrowed brow didn’t relax after hearing her explanation. “What do you mean that it didn’t matter whether the rumors were true or false? Do you mean you wouldn’t mind even if I did have something with Emilia?”

Miranda grew serious. “Did you truly have something with her?”

Paul shook his head and said in a muffled voice, “No.”

“And now? Do you still think about her?”

“How could I?” Paul looked up abruptly.

Miranda explained, “See? You weren’t involved with her in the past, and there’s nothing now. As for the future, might be hard to say, but based on the current situation, there’s no chance of rekindling anything. noveldrama

“After all, there wasn’t any relationship, to begin with, right? So why should I be bothered about her?”

Paul lowered his gaze. Her lack of concern bothered him.

Miranda appeared too composed. She didn’t confront him after learning about Emilia. She didn’t even come to him for confirmation after hearing about those rumors,

She was too nonchalant, almost like she was uninvolved in this situation.

Miranda saw through his turmoil and took his hand with a smile. “Paul,” she called.

+35 BONUS

Chapter 1023

Miranda didn’t call him “Dr. Jefferson” like she usually would.

She continued, “I’m really glad that you care about my feelings, but we’re now a couple who are building an intimate relationship. We would need to spend a lot of time together, so we should be honest with each other.

“No coaxing nor hiding, and certainly no lying or doulit. Only then can we get along happily, don’t you agree?” Paul replied carnestly, “Of course.”

“Good, then I want to tell you that…” Miranda paused for moment before smiling at Paul, as if she felt relieved of her burdens.

“I’m not someone who’s never been in love. On the contrary, I’ve been in a relationship that lasted six years. I know for a fact that if we don’t resolve small misunderstandings in an intimate relationship, it will turn into resentment. When the resentment grows

too big, It can destroy the relationship.”

“Mimi…” Paul held her hand tightly. “I wouldn’t.”

“So, let’s just focus on the present and cherish this moment, okay?”

Miranda wouldn’t get angry over the rumors about Paul’s past, nor would she argue with him over a woman who wasn’t even a love rival.

She truly didn’t mind, and she hoped Paul could feel the same.

“It’s not worth arguing over such small issues…”

Back then, Miranda had quarreled too much with Hansel. Looking back now, was it really necessary? Why overthink things as long as they were happy and enjoyed the present?

After six years, Miranda had learned to cut out what was unnecessary in life. However, Paul seemed… to feel differently.

He had just tasted the sweetness of love. He cared and minded too much. He wanted to grab onto more of her so that their relationship would be stronger.

Paul wanted to add weight to their relationship.

No… perhaps he was even trying to multiplgit.

Miranda could feel the pressure. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips with a smile.

It was alright. She had plenty of patience and acceptance for him to learn. After all, she liked him.

As expected, her unprompted kiss softened Paul’s frown effortlessly. A faint blush appeared on his neck. “Mimi…”

This was the second time she had taken the initiative to kiss him. The first time was when they shared a strawberry. Lowering his head, Paul pulled her into a tight embrace with both arms.

Her “okay” was swallowed up by a kiss as they pressed their lips together.

Miranda reapplied her lipstick. Paul was looking at her in the mirror with a tender gaze. He couldn’t pull his eyes away from her. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Are you talking about me or the lipstick?” she asked.