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.

...

dress complemented by a lace-trimmed sun

walked toward the

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

she stopped abruptly. Her words caught in her throat, and her

questioning if he had misheard. As he turned and saw Candice rushing toward him, he was rooted to

eyes locked, and

weight of Elio's stare, Candice looked away

Chubs. I-I came to deliver some seedlings to her.

gone to fetch some water,"

couldn't fathom why Mila had insisted he come help in the garden instead of using their usual gardeners. Now,

aside his small hoe and removed his glove. After taking a few steps

carefully pointing out the different seedlings. "These

than the seedlings in the basket. Their eyes met, and he quickly diverted his gaze to the basket, feeling flustered. He couldn't differentiate