Bewildered, Mia questioned, “Considering my ordinary background, how did I end up marrying into the


    Barrett family?”


    Wade exined, “Mr. Barrett fell into aa after an ident. It was Mrs. Barrett Senior who arranged


    your marriage.”


    “All to change his fate?” A cynical scoff escaped Mia’s lips. She was well aware of the


    stringent rules that governed high society. Commoners like her marrying up rarely ended well. She


    knew that all too well.


    She had heard stories about her adoptive parents being equally deplorable. It had been a brutal


    existence before the Lane brothers found her.


    A cold glint flickered in her eyes. If her brothers faked her death to cut all ties with the Barretts, surely


    the Barretts themselves must have been ecstatic.


    Yet, Timothy’s strange behavior didn’t paint that picture. Perplexed, she dismissed the notion of


    lingering affection on his part.


    Guilt, perhaps, but nothing more.


    Mia crossed her legs, a menacing gleam flickering in her eyes. “Everything seems to fall into ce. I


    have a game to y now.” She was eager to find out why Timothy had been searching for her.


    Wade sensed trouble brewing as he observed Mia’s expression. Tentatively, he cautioned, Ms. Mia, Dr.


    Grayson advised you to steer clear of the Barretts.”


    “Didn’t he suggest trying the desensitization therapy? I figured it might be more effective if I interacted


    directly with Timothy.”


    Wade was rendered speechless.


    “Oh, and make sure Dominic doesn’t catch wind of this just yet,” she added, ncing up at him. She


    didn’t want Dominic bombarding her with incessant phone calls.


    Alone again, Mia pondered her next move. She couldn’t brush off the bombshell she had just


    discovered.


    She opened her suitcase and found it filled with vibrant and scanty clothes. Her current style was very


    distinct from her prudish self back then.


    Feeling like she’d preferred in and boring clothes in the past, she had Wade prepare a set of clothes


    that suited her old style. Then, she texted Timothy, “Mr. Barrett, do you fancy a dinner date tonight?


    See you at the usual ce.”


    She received no response from him. Yet, patience was a virtue, especially when dealing with men like


    him.


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    Timothy saw the message, and his mind nked temporarily. He couldn’t believe that she’d just asked


    him out.


    Caleb was curious. “Tim, who is it from?”


    “Try and guess.


    “No way. Is it Ms. Langford?”


    Timothy set his phone down and contemted. “Do you think she’s Mia?”


    “Honestly, Tim, I’m not so sure anymore. I’d say no if she hadn’t mistaken me for her ex- husband. Yet,


    she clearly confused me with you.”


    Timothy found the situation bizarre as well.


    “Tim, it’s either she’s suffering from memory loss, or she’s pretending not to recognize us. “Caleb


    thought this was the most usible exnation.


    Timothy suddenly rose, adjusting his attire in front of the mirror. His demeanor exuded a mature charm.


    Startled, Caleb questioned, “Where are you headed, Tim?”


    “A date.” Timothy left after he answered Caleb. He wondered what tricks Mia had up her sleeve.


    He made his way to the top floor, the same ce where they had met over a mealst time.


    The moment he stepped into the conservatory, his eyes widened. Mia stood before the full- length


    window with her back facing him, her dark locks cascading over her shoulder. She was d in a simple


    T–shirt and denim skirt.


    “Mia?” he breathed, his voice thick with a mix of apprehension and a sliver of hope.