When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0820

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Mindy was surprised. “You knew I was awake even with your back turned?”

Lionel chuckled and gestured toward the wall. Your shadow gave you away.“,

She glanced at the wall and realized the truth, feeling sheepish. With a small cough, she changed the subject. “What’s so interesting about that photo album?”

“Plenty. It’s fascinating to see the old you,” Lionel said softly, flipping to another page.

“The first time I met you, you were so pale and frail, barely clinging to life. Even after that, your health wasn’t great–you’d get out of breath just walking a few steps. It took a long time for you to recover.

“I thought you were naturally weak, but looking at these pictures… It seems you were so active back then…”

His voice trailed off, blending memories of the girl in the album with the woman before him, merging them into one whole person.

Mindy smiled, and her heart unexpectedly softened. “The old me had no memory of my past. I was like a boat adrift at sea–no idea where I came from or where I was headed. But then fate led me to you, and suddenly, I had a place in the world. I wasn’t lost anymore.”

Lionel gazed at her with tender affection, his eyes brimming with love.

Their eyes met, and Mindy leaned closer to look. She was suddenly intrigued by the album

in his hands.

“How old were you here? Why do you look like a little boy?” he asked.

“Let me see… Five or six, I think,” she replied. “Back then, we had a massive fishpond behind Garrison Garden.”

“Oh?” Lionel exclaimed as he turned another page, his expression one of surprise. “Wait… Isn’t this Timothy?”

The photograph showed Mindy, then 18, standing under a magnolia tree. Her radiant smile was framed by falling petals. Beside her, Timothy had one arm around her shoulder, looking directly at the camera. The scene was picture–perfect.

Mindy’s gaze flickered, and she answered vaguely, “Yes, that’s him.”

“You knew him back then? Even before your sister did?” Lionel asked, clearly surprised.

Mindy nodded. “The three of us grew up playing together.”

“Childhood friends?” Lionel raised an eyebrow.

“Well, if you put it that way… I guess you could say so.”

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Chapter 0820

Lionel studied the photo more closely, his curiosity piqued. The pair’s expressions and body language radiated a closeness that was hard to ignore.

“So… were you two…” he started, hesitant to finish the question but unable to stop himself.

Mindy paused briefly and then nodded. “Yes.”

She had no intention of hiding it. It was ancient history now. They both had families of their own, and there was nothing shameful about it. Keeping it a secret would only make it seem suspicious.

Lionel blinked. “Wait… What?” He was rather surprised by the news.

“Then… Can I know about it?” Lionel started to look a little pitiful.

“What do you want to know?” Mindy asked.

“For starters, did you date? Were you engaged? Did Mom and Dad know?”

Shaking her head, Mindy answered truthfully. “We never dated, but we liked each other. Our families had even quietly agreed to the match.”

Lionel sat in silence, processing the information.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Mindy nudged his shoulder.

“I don’t want to,” he replied grumpily.

“Why not? Are you jealous?” she teased with a laugh.

“Yes! I’m jealous!” Lionel retorted, his tone indignant and unapologetic.

Mindy couldn’t help but grin. “Go ahead, get all jealous. Maybe tonight, we’ll make a story out of it.”

Lionel sighed suddenly, catching Mindy off guard. “Min…” he murmured, his tone filled. with an unexpected sadness.

“What?” she asked, looking at him curiously.

Lionel’s expression softened. “Why didn’t he wait for you? He even married your sister. He had no patience… He wasn’t worth it. Not one bit.”

He actually wasn’t upset for himself. He was upset on her behalf.

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