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.

...

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

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

someone crouched over the soil in the middle of the garden, dressed in a

and her eyes widened in surprise

he turned and saw Candice rushing toward him, he was

locked, and

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

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

fetch some

he come help in the

and removed his glove. After taking a few steps toward Candice, he extended his hand. "Let me help

the different seedlings. "These are magnolia seedlings. These are peony seedlings,

her rather than the seedlings in the basket. Their eyes met, and he quickly diverted his