Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“Your phone has been off the entire time! We were really worried!”
Mia felt a pang of guilt. “My phone accidentally broke, and I’ve been too caught up with work to get it fixed.”
Felix added, “Yeah, Mia was occupied at the engagement venue for a while. We just returned to the studio.”
Puzzled, Connor inquired, “Mia, did you make it to the engagement ceremony? When did you get there?”
“I got there quite late. It was over two hours ago. What’s going on, Connor?”
Connor glanced at Felix and swiftly changed the subject. “It’s nothing. Mia, I’m here to take you home. Hop in the car.”
He refrained from discussing the matter in front of Felix to avoid any slip¨Cups.
Mia turned to Felix and said, “Felix, Connor is here. You don’t have to worry about taking me home. You should rest early.”
“Alright, take your time then.”
Felix had to pass up this opportunity, but he was confident that numerous chances would present themselves in the future, so he wasn’t in a rush.
Mia entered the car, sinking back in the seat to find some rest. “Today has been utterly exhausting.
“Mia, what happened to your face?”
While driving. Connor managed to free one hand to send a message in the group chat: “I just picked up Mia from the studio; we’re on our way back.”
As he set the phone down, the tension that had gripped him began to dissipate.
The Lane brothers had scoured the neighborhood in their quest to find Mia.
However, surveillance footage revealed a confrontation involving Mia, Bob, and Mary, attracting a gathering of onlookers. After leaving on a bus, Mia’s whereabouts became uncertain.
Mia gently touched her cheek. “This morning, as I left home, I unexpectedly encountered my adoptive parents at the neighborhood entrance.
“Upon discovering they were ineligible for the relocation compensation, they became enraged and approached me, demanding money.
“Despite their i insistence, I stood firm and refused to yield to their demands. This led to a heated confrontation outside, but ultimately, I emerged victorious.”
Even though Connor had already seen the events unfold in the surveillance footage, hearing Mia discuss it so casually made him uneasy. “Mia, did you forget that you’re pregnant?”
“I know I was wrong. At that moment, I was just too angry and didn’t think things through. But I promised you last time, didn’t I?”
Connor’s car stopped at a red light, and he turned to face Mia. Speaking with a tone of concern, he said, “I’m not placing blame. I’m just really worried about you.”
He understood that Mia’s past had molded her into someone who valued independence, avoided reliance on others, and maintained a strong guard.
Even though Mia seemed to have welcomed the presence of her older brothers, there was a lingering sense that she didn’t fully rely on them.
In times of trouble, she continued to confront challenges on her own, preferring self¨Creliance over turning to her family for assistance.
Mia playfully stuck out her tongue. “I know. So, Connor, could you help me pick out a new phone?””
Connor drove toward the largest electronics store, planning to purchase the latest smartphone for Mia.
However, upon entering the store, Mia caught sight of a familiar figure. For a moment, she questioned her perception, wondering if she had mistaken the person.
Unexpectedly, Mia spotted Timothy in the vicinity.
He stood in front of the counter, clutching a mobile phone that seemed more suited for women.
Who could he be purchasing the phone for?
Was it possibly intended for Maya?
It made sense, considering Timothy had just gotten engaged to Maya earlier in the day.
Mia quickly averted her gaze, feigning ignorance about Timothy’s presence.
Connor, too, caught sight of Timothy and furrowed his brow in disapproval. He had heard rumors. that Timothy had called off the engagement earlier.
It seemed his suspicions were valid.
Considering Timothy’s lack of affection for Maya, it seemed probable that his agreement to the engagement was influenced by a deal involving Laura’s surgery.
Even so, Connor harbored a dislike for Timothy, especially because of Timothy’s apparent interest in Mia.
Connor suddenly became a bit wary. “Mia, how do you feel about the newest model of this brand’s smartphone?”
Mia, who was standing nearby, glanced at the phone. “It’s fine.”
She simply wanted to purchase the phone and exit the premises as swiftly as she could.
Connor turned his attention to the nearby staff. “Please get me this model.”
The staff hesitated, stating, “I’ll need to check if we still have stock. This model sells quickly at our store.”¨C
Standing in place, Mia caught sight of Timothy’s gaze from the corner of her eye. She subtly pursed her lips, pretending not to acknowledge him.
Connor, too, noticed Timothy’s stare. He swiftly positioned himself between Mia and Timothy, casually obstructing the line of sight.
Taking it a step further, he intentionally struck a pose at the counter, strategically blocking Timothy’s view behind him.
In response to Connor’s deliberate interference, Timothy narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a trace of displeasure.
It was evident that there was an unconventional dynamic in Mia’s relationship with Connor.
This might explain Mia’s ability to influence Connor into performing Laura’s surgery.
Perhaps Mia knew about Maya’s deception of Timothy all along. Could it be that she purposefully designed the engagement venue to personally witness his humiliation?
The more Timothy pondered the situation, the more disconcerted he became.
The last thing he anticipated was coming across Mia’s broken phone, and inexplicably, ending up in this particular store.
Just then, the staff returned to Mia with an update, saying, “Apologies, but we currently have only one unit of this phone left.”
Connor, in high spirits, exclaimed, “Perfect! We’ll take the last one.”
However, the staff hesitated again, glancing in Timothy’s direction. “The remaining phone is currently in that customer’s hands, and we’re unsure if he intends to purchase it.”
Observing the phone in Timothy’s grasp, Connor stepped forward and said, “Timothy, let’s discuss this. We’ll take this phone for now. Mia’s phone is broken, and she urgently needs a replacement.”
Timothy glanced toward Mia, his expression tense.
After a brief moment, he responded, “But I was here first.”
Connor couldn’t help but snort. Why was Timothy so oblivious?
Even though Connor explicitly mentioned buying the phone for Mia and performing Laura’s surgery as a favor for her. Timothy seemed to disregard even this modest courtesy.
Mia coughed discreetly and pulled Connor aside, remarking. “Let’s forget about it; we can pick a different brand. The older model is perfectly fine.”
“No, we have to go for the latest model if we’re making a purchase,” Connor insisted.
It marked the first time he was buying a new phone for Mia, and he was determined to choose the latest and most expensive one. Cheap options didn’t interest him at all..
Upon hearing Connor’s firm stance, Mia suddenly felt overwhelmed. All she wanted was to leave this place as soon as possible.
She gently tugged at Connor’s arm and whispered in a playful tone, “I’ll cherish anything you
Certainly, any gift from Connor would be appreciated by Mia.
Upon hearing Mia’s words, Connor instantly felt a wave of relief. He couldn’t help but appreciate her kindness, sensibility, and adorable nature.
Connor made a mental note to stay vigilant, ensuring that no man would dare to harbor feelings for Mia, especially someone like Timothy¨Ca mature, divorced individual.
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Connor was determined to eliminate possibility of a romantic connection between Mia and Timothy.
Timothy couldn’t help but overhear Mia’s sweet and coquettish words to Connor.
When had she ever spoken to him like that?
A peculiar sensation enveloped Timothy¨Ca tightness in his chest, making each breath a struggle. He had never experienced such a feeling before.
In response, Timothy placed the phone directly on the table and stated, “I don’t want it anymore.”
He made a decisive choice not to purchase the phone.
Regret seeped in as Timothy realized he shouldn’t have come to the store in the first place.
In the next instant, Connor swiftly seized the phone and gave Timothy a pat on the shoulder, saying, “Thank you, Timothy!”
Timothy scoffed at that. He didn’t need his gratitude!