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.

...

in a floral dress complemented by a lace-trimmed sun hat. She carried

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

the soil in the middle of the garden, dressed in a white shirt. "Aunt Chubs, Aunt Chubs,

in her throat, and her eyes

he had misheard. As he turned and saw Candice rushing toward him, he was

eyes locked, and

them momentarily stunned. Feeling the weight of Elio's stare, Candice

thought you were Aunt Chubs. I-I came

to fetch some water,"

couldn't fathom why Mila had insisted he come help in the garden instead

removed his glove. After taking a few steps toward Candice, he extended his

the different seedlings. "These are magnolia

caught Elio staring at her rather than the seedlings in the basket. Their eyes met, and he quickly diverted his gaze to the basket, feeling