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."

brightness of the lights, the atmosphere felt dull and cold. There was a large bed, a row of cabinets, and a couch, all in subdued,

She

onto the couch, her gaze sweeping the room until it landed on the portrait, now facing the floor. She offered a faint smile and patted the spot beside her. "Elio, come sit with

him from head to toe. He was young, handsome, wealthy, and five years older than

through the tough love of his upbringing under Michaela and shaped him into the man he was now. Candice could certainly have

you want to talk

Nathan and I are here for your wedding next month,"

face clouded over, and he responded icily, "There won't

the invitations

remained silent, his gaze

determined to push you into this, no matter

scornful smirk

in concern. "Why

a deep breath before responding, "I've been thinking about what to do if she was behind Candice's close call overseas. Should I have her arrested? Cut ties with

"What

now, and

like her own granddaughter. Don't worry too much.