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

car and walked toward the garden with buoyant, graceful steps

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

her throat, and her eyes widened in surprise at the sight

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

locked, and

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

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

to fetch

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

and removed his glove. After taking a few steps

and edged closer, carefully pointing out the different seedlings.

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