Chapter 2

Miranda was distorted. She wished for nothing more than for things to return to normal after the misfortune that took place seven years ago. It’s a shame that her life will now be filled with loneliness. But she has to be strong and accept her fate. And with that in mind, she went to work.

She worked at Little Stars Orphanage in Bluestone Valley. Her uncle used to own this place, but she has taken over the management post his death.

She loves the place from the bottom of her heart. It was unfortunate that she would be unable to show her daughter the love she deserved on the day she left. So, she spends time with the kids in her orphanage. It can be described as a kind of replacement or redemption, and everyone needs one reason in their life to help them survive.

Further, this place was like an extended family to her because she had lost her own a long time ago, and it was the hardest decision she had ever made.

This was one of hers.

Miranda arrived at her destination within ten minutes, as it was only a ten-minute walk from her home. She needed to complete some paperwork for the adoption of one girl who was leaving the orphanage to start a new life. It always made her sad when one of the kids had to leave this place, but she knew it was for the best. They all deserve to have a family.

Martha, one of her co-workers, interrupted her train of thought. “Yes, Martha?”

She is in charge of all aspects of human resources. Whether it is to hire new staff or add volunteers to the group, she is the person for that. Further, she also makes sure of the safety of the children and various other policies. 

"Someone has arrived to meet with you. Should I send them in? Martha asked.

“Yes, send them in.” Miranda concurred with a nod. When the door opened after a few seconds, she was surprised to see who stood in front of her. It was Eric and her daughter. Their presence caused her to immediately get up from her seat, her face losing all colour.

Eric had not anticipated this. Under no circumstances, he expected to run to meet Miranda in an orphanage out of all other places. He had not expected her, of all the people in the world, to be the owner of this orphanage when Margret escorted him into the room.

He was rock solid on his feet until his daughter tugged at his hand, at which point he stepped in front of her and sat on the chair reflexively. Miranda quickly flipped the photo frame next to her laptop. She can't risk him discovering any traces of how she feels or what life has become of her. It is bad enough that he will now discover she is the owner of this orphanage.

“You are the same lady we saw at the party yesterday.” Lizzy pointed it out with a twinkle in her eyes.

Her daughter was dressed in a sky-blue dress with two pigtails. She looked well, and she was proud that Eric had done well with their daughter.

“Yes, I am Miranda Patrick.” Miranda used her maiden name rather than Liston to avoid confounding Lizzy. She was still a stranger to her, and her relationship with Eric would have only confused their daughter more. She can't escape the truth that she's nothing more than Eric's estranged wife.

“Lizzy and her two friends wanted to volunteer at this orphanage and spend time with the children,” Eric explained hesitantly to Miranda. Ideally, he should have stormed out immediately with his daughter when he saw that it was her who managed and owned this orphanage. But for some reason, he was unable to do that.

“That could be arranged. You only need to fill out some paperwork, and they can begin whenever they want.” She told him softly, carefully handing him the papers, avoiding any physical contact.

“May I look around, Ms. Miranda?”

Miranda didn’t like it when her daughter addressed her by name, but she knew there was nothing she could do about it. She cannot come and tell her that she is her mother and demand her rights. She lost her entire right to parenthood when she had to leave her seven years ago.

With a heavy heart, she buzzed Martha inside.

“Lizzy, this is Martha, one of my co-workers. She will show you around.” She introduced them with a smile. Lizzy, being a cute little bundle of joy, left with her colleague. 

“I am surprised that you work in an orphanage. When did you own it?” Eric couldn’t help but ask when Lizzy was out of sight and about their hearing range.

“It belonged to my uncle. My cousin didn’t want to handle this place on his own because he was too preoccupied with his studies. So he passed it on to me.” She tried to explain everything to him as simply as she could. She didn’t want to go into specifics. Nothing good would come out of it.

“Uncle—?” Eric was confused, as he doesn't remember any of her uncles owning an orphanage.

“You have never met him. We got in touch after — after —” Miranda was unable to finish her sentence. It was too painful to even think about it.

“After you abandoned us?" He completed the sentence for her. "It's not that difficult to say. After all, you are the one who left your husband and your three-year-old daughter. It is not the other way around.” Eric retorted, but before she could respond, her thoughts were interrupted.

Her neighbour stormed into her cabin and sat next to Eric, completely ignoring him. “I need to speak with you about something very important, Miranda.” 

“Excuse me?” Miranda asked, baffled.

“You are excused. Now can we talk?” Benji stated.

“Benji, I am busy with someone here. I will talk with you once I get back home.” She stated, trying to make him leave.

“You are not busy. Talking to some guy is not classified as being busy.” Benji then asked Eric, looking straight at him. Would you mind if I had an important conversation with my so-called friend in your presence, gentleman?”

“Go ahead.” Eric was perplexed.

“See, he doesn't have any issues. Now, young lady, tell me why your house was so messy this morning.” Miranda's eyes widened as he said this.

"You entered my home without my permission." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes," he replied, casual about his actions.

Miranda took a deep breath before beginning. "You came here to tell me this?"

"Yes, amongst other things." He nodded.

"You cannot just enter my home without my permission," she remarked, scowling.

“When you became my neighbour and made countless unwanted appearances in my home, I convinced myself that I should start treating you like a friend to make it more bearable. But you couldn't possibly honour it, could you? In exchange for our friendship, you keep your house so unclean.” Benji exasperatedly told her.

"And this still doesn't explain why you broke into my house.” She asked him in an irritating tone.

"It was for something very important."

“Benji, if you don't tell me why you came to my house in two minutes, I will clean you off the planet.” She locked her gaze on him.

“I needed some milk to go with my cookies. But don't be concerned about your place. I cleaned it. You should be grateful to me.” He smiled at her as if he had won some kind of prize.

“Benjamin, get out of here right now before I punch you in the face.” She made a threat to him.

“You would never do something like that.” With a frown, he said.

“But I can definitely call your mother here, and who knows how long she will stay with you?” She challenged him with a smirk. The only person who could keep Benjamin Myers

“I am going; I am going. But keep in mind that our conversation isn’t over yet.” Benji exited the room, but not without saying. “Thank you so much, gentleman, for not interfering with my conversation with this lady. I am sure you feel honoured to be in the presence of the man with the highest IQ in human history.” He told Eric proudly.

“Is he insane?” Eric asked her, dumbfounded.

“Please tell me about it. I have had to put up with his craziness for the past five and a half years. Ignore him—” Her phone rang again, interrupting her. She apologized to him before picking it up.

The constant interruptions irritated Eric.

“Yes, Roby— You know why I didn’t— But, Roby, it doesn’t matter— You know what? Join Melissa and me for dinner, and I will explain everything to you— Sure thing, brother— Bye.”

“I don’t remember any brothers of your name, Roby,” Eric asked, puzzled. For him, everything has turned into a massive jigsaw puzzle. Miranda was the most simple and lovely woman he’d ever known. However, he now feels as if he never knew her. He was her goddamn husband, and they had a good, loving marriage before she deserted them.

“He is the son of my late uncle.” She explained to him.

"Which uncle?"

Miranda's mouth opened, but she did not know what to say, so she closed it again and pursed her lips. Eric understood that she would not reveal anything to him, not that he was interested. Nothing about Miranda Listo— Patrick could interest him any more.

“I should probably get going, but please do not try to come close to my daughter during my absence.” He was still enraged by what Miranda had done to them, she did not hold it against him. 

In the idol scenario, he should not have left his daughter in her care, but he knew Lizzy would be safe with Miranda. Even if she is not aware that Miranda is her mother, this is the closest and possibly the only time she will have with her mother.

As he exited her cabin, he ran into the strange girl from the party again.

“What on earth are you doing here?” She questioned him angrily.

“That is none of your concern.” He blew her off this time. He had enough of women stepping over him for no reason.

“When it comes to my best friend, you are my business. You have done enough to hurt her, so stay away from her.” She glared at him.

“Look, I have never even met you or your best friend.” He told her, annoyed.

“Does the name Miranda Liston ring a bell to you?” She crossed her arms and asked with raised brows.

“Look, Miss. I am not sure what lies Miranda fed you, but I am the one who is the victim here, not the other way around.” Eric stormed out of the orphanage with his daughter.

Whereas Miranda’s best friend, Melisa, was concerned, she knew that Eric had no idea how Miranda was suffering. She shouldn’t have aimed her rage at him, but Miranda didn’t deserve to have her life made more difficult. She really need to control her temper.