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, cool

crush on Candice. She was like a ray of sunshine-warm and radiant, with a

until it landed on the portrait, now facing the floor. She offered a faint smile and patted the spot beside her. "Elio, come

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

had seen him through the tough love of his upbringing under Michaela and shaped him into the man he was now. Candice

talk about something?" Elio

and I are here for your wedding

he responded

out the invitations and told everyone

silent, his gaze

to push you into this, no

smirk crossed

concern. "Why

"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 her? Or just ignore

"What

over now, and

and said firmly, "Mom truly adores Candice. She treats her like her own granddaughter. Don't worry too much. It definitely wasn't Mom." "Let's hope that's the