Mia hadn’t anticipated Timothy revisiting this question, and it was getting increasingly difficult for her to


    respond.


    With a hint of condescension, Timothy watched her struggle. “Having trouble answering?” he teased.


    “Not exactly.” Mia replied, pausing briefly as she met his gaze. “So, would you prefer the truth or a


    fabrication?


    * she asked.


    “… Perhaps silence would be best.” Timothy retorted indifferently before walking away.


    As Mia took a step forward, she noticed the dog standing beside her, its tail wagging eagerly as it


    looked at


    her.


    She stopped in her tracks, and instinctively stepped back. “Please, stay right there,” she implored, her


    eyes fixed on the dog.


    While she held no ill will toward the creature, suppressed childhood fears surfaced as the dog moved


    closer.


    “Here, boy.”


    Just as Mia contemted a quick escape, Timothy, who had just disappeared into obscurity moments


    ago,


    reappeared to rescue Mia.


    Beneath the soft glow of the streetlight, he reached out his hand to her.


    At the sight of Timothy, the dog promptly sat down, its tail wagging gently.


    “The dog is sitting now. Walk to me, Mia.”


    ‘I … I can’t do it!” Mia stammered.


    “You’ve got a count of ten,” Timothy dered.


    Mia wondered why Timothy didn’t simply approach her himself.


    Still, she understood Timothy’s character–when he said “ten seconds,” he meant precisely that.


    Gathering all the courage within her, Mia swiftly ran toward Timothy.


    Timothy’s gaze softened as he watched Mia sprinting courageously toward him. A faint smile yed at


    his


    lips, recognizing that some emotional wounds required a gradual approach for genuine healing.


    Suddenly, Mia found herself enveloped in Timothy’s arms once again.


    Timothy stood still, his once–extended hand now gracefully lowering.


    For a fleeting moment, his fingers rested gently on her back before tightening ever so slightly.


    With a trace of anxiety in her voice, Mia asked. “The dog didn’t follow us, right?”


    Timothy reassured her. “No, it didn’t.”


    +15 BONOS


    Mia eventually mustered the courage to look back, relieved to find the imposing dog had vanished. “I


    was really terrified just now,” she admitted.


    Moving past the spot where the dog had been, a lingering fear gnawed at her. She feared it might


    suddenly reappear and lunge at her.


    From a higher vantage point, Timothy’s calm voice resonated, “How much longer do you n to cling


    on?”


    Mia’s hand hesitated. Then, she loosened her grip and took a step back. “Ahem, my bad. It was just a


    reflex!”


    With a hint of mockery. Timothy teased, “Consider that your one free pass.”


    At Timothy’sment, Mia’s expression soured instantly. She was irked by it.


    “Seriously, I’m carrying a child. Would you leave me if a dog were to chase me? I mightin to


    Grandma about your inaction,” Mia warned.


    “You’re more intimidating than that dog, you could have easily scared it away yourself. After all, you’re


    not really pregnant right now.”


    “Who says I’m no–My point is, if we’re going to put on a show, let’s make it convincing, so we don’t


    blow our


    cover.”


    Mia caught herself just in time, realizing she was close to revealing too much.


    Acting required skill, and she had to tread carefully.


    Walking behind him, she noticed his shadow cast under the streemp. Intentionallygging a step,


    she


    mischievously stepped on his silhouette.


    Catching her antics from the corner of his eye, Timothy smirked. “Mia, resorting to childish tricks?”


    “What did I do? I wasn’t doing anything!” Mia protested.


    “Don’t assume I missed that,” Timothy replied coldly.


    “You’ve been keeping a close eye on me, haven’t you? How amusing,” Mia said sarcastically.


    Timothy looked away before retorting, “You’re getting bolder, aren’t you?”


    “If I hadn’t been bold before, how could I have slept with you?” she countered.


    After nonchntly saying this, Mia realized her slip of the tongue and fell silent.


    ncing at the nearby vi, she muttered to herself, “I wonder what Martha has cooked, I should go


    check.”


    Picking up her pace, Mia quickly moved ahead of Timothy.


    Timothy couldn’t help but feel amused, even if he wasn’t consciously aware of it.


    Hurrying into the living room, Mia made a beeline for the kitchen, eager to avoid any potential awkward


    moments.


    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    After spending some time in the kitchen, she returned to the living room. Noticing Timothy’s absence,


    she let


    +15 BONOS


    Feeling a tad remorseful, Mia scolded herself for the impulsivement earlier. It was an


    embarrassing


    moment.