The Wrong Woman

There was a persistent knock on the door.

Unwilling to respond, Elio remained motionless. His gaze was desolate and distant. It was as if he was lost in another world.

It wasn't until the knocking ceased and Mila's voice came to his ears that he snapped back to reality.

"Elio, it's me, Wanda."

Although Mila was rarely home, she held a warm and kind image in Elio's heart. He found those affections he lacked from Michaela in Mila.

Shaken from his thoughts, Elio got to his feet and turned the portrait around before heading to the door.

As the door was opened, Mila noticed his somber expression and lifeless gaze. She felt a pang of sympathy.

"Wanda, do you need something?" Elio asked.

Mila's eyes crinkled into a smile as she asked softly, "May I come in and sit for a while?"

Elio hesitated briefly, then opened the door wider. "Come in."

into the spacious room. Despite the brightness of the lights, the atmosphere felt dull and cold. There was a large bed, a row of cabinets, and a

that he had a secret crush on Candice. She

the floor. She offered a faint smile and patted the spot beside her. "Elio, come sit with me." Elio complied and leaned back

was young, handsome, wealthy, and five years older than Candice. Despite his less-than-charming personality, Elio was a fundamentally good man—kind, determined, and

Michaela and shaped him into the man he was now. Candice could certainly

to talk about

and I are here for your wedding next month,"

face clouded over, and he responded icily,

has already sent out the invitations and told

silent, his gaze

push you into this, no

smirk

concern. "Why aren't

thinking about what to do if she was behind Candice's close call overseas. Should I have her arrested? Cut ties with her? Or

"What happened to

now,

treats her like her own granddaughter. Don't worry too much. It definitely wasn't Mom." "Let's