The Wrong Woman

Mila sighed. "It's probably best to move on sooner if Candice doesn't have feelings for you. But you shouldn't settle for marrying someone you don't love. Josie isn't the right match for you."

"Her aunt is shady," Elio responded with a relaxed drawl.

Surprised, Mila asked, "You knew about that?"

Elio hummed in acknowledgment.

Mila got to her feet and said, "Alright, I should head back. You should get some sleep. Meet me at Sudvilla at noon tomorrow."

Sudvilla, a villa granted to Nathan by the government, was located directly opposite Hudson Manor, where Josie lived.

"Why should I go there?" Elio looked at her, puzzled.

With a gentle smile, Mila said, "Come early and lend me a hand."

Then, she left Elio's room, quietly closing the door behind her. Elio's gaze lingered on the door, looking desolate.

...

the following day, Candice arrived in a floral dress complemented by a lace-trimmed sun hat. She carried a wicker basket full

out of her car and walked toward the garden with buoyant, graceful steps reminiscent

in the middle of the garden, dressed in a white

words caught in her throat, and her eyes widened in surprise at

stood when he heard the voice, questioning if he had misheard. As he turned

locked, and

momentarily stunned. Feeling the weight of Elio's stare, Candice looked away hastily, her eyes darting

you were Aunt Chubs. I-I came to deliver some seedlings

to fetch some water," said

help in the garden instead of using

set aside his small hoe and removed his glove. After taking a few steps toward Candice, he extended

carefully pointing out the different seedlings. "These are magnolia seedlings. These are peony

than the seedlings in the basket. Their eyes met, and he quickly diverted his gaze to the basket, feeling flustered.