Chapter 5


    Mirabe’sugh was a rare bloom of gentleness on her usually frosty face. She tenderly smoothed the


    wisps of silver hair at her grandmother’s temples, her voice softening like one might use to coax a child


    to sleep. “I’ve sorted out all the transfer paperwork. It’s time for me to head out. You’ve got to take good


    care of yourself. Remember to take your meds on time, okay? Once I’m settled back in the city, I’ll


    come by for a visit. Deal?”


    Catherine felt the soothing touch on her cheek and struggled to swallow, her throat parched. After a


    moment, she grasped Mirabe’s hand in her own. “Alright, I’ll do as you say, my dear,”


    “Good,” Mirabe said, nodding in satisfaction.


    Mandy, who had been standing by, felt a pang of jealousy. She had talked herself hoarse, trying to


    persuade her mother toe back to the city with her without sess. Yet here was this brat, uttering


    just a few words, and her grandmother acquiesced? She had clearly underestimated Mirabe’s ability


    to charm and cajole!


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Just then, the wail of an ambnce siren announced its arrival outside. Soon after, thanks to Mandy’s


    insistent demands, the paramedics carried Catherine to the ambnce. Before leaving for the hospital,


    Mandy did not forget to give Mirabe a few parting shots, warning her to make herself scarce.


    Once Mandy had departed, Mirabe ascended the stairs to her room and pulled out a suitcase from


    under the bed, already packed and ready. Even without today’s drama courtesy of Mandy, Mirabe


    would have left soon anyway.


    In the months since she had transformed from Mirabelle to Mirabe, she had stayed not only because


    she was concerned about Catherine’s health but also because she was in the middle of her junior year


    of high school. So, she had made a deal with her biological parents. Once the semester ended, she


    would transfer schools for her senior year. Mirabe drew a letter from an old desk drawer, dusted off


    the edges with her slender fingers, and slipped it into her backpack.


    Dragging her suitcase, Mirabe had just closed the gate when a car honked nearby. She looked up,


    squinting at the sleek ck sedan that was making the noise. Despite its modest Volkswagen badge,


    the car’s lines were cool and slick–a subtle mboyance under its low–profile exterior.


    A figure emerged from the car, a ck baseball cap on his head. He leaned casually against the door,


    watching. Mirabe approach.


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, a hint of nonchnce on her elegant face. As she drew near, her lips


    curled into a half–smile. “Have you been waiting for me?”


    The man crossed his arms, his chiseled chin tilting upward as he gave Mirabe a once–over. His gaze


    finally rested on her suitcase with a teasing tone. “What’s this? Did you get kicked to the curb?”


    Mirabe shot him a nce. “Eavesdropping isn’t very gentlemanly, you know.”


    James chuckled lightly. “Did you forget our houses are only separated by a half–wall?


    “So what’s your point, neighbor boy? You’re loitering here just to mock your lifesaver?” Mirabe


    quipped, her arms folded, a yful smirk on her lips.


    After nearly a year of knowing her, James had transitioned from grinding his teeth in annoyance to


    eptance of Mirabe’s refusal to call him by his name, insisting on ‘neighbor boy‘ instead. Of


    course, he was also privy to some of the melodrama of Mirabe’s life.


    “What’s your n now?” James asked, his eyebrows lifting. Under the brim of his cap, his features


    were striking. especially those dark eyes. They were like a night sky full of stars.


    He paused, then added, “Of course, if you’re out of options, my door’s open for you… temporarily.”


    Mirabe gave him a sidelong look and a silent ‘tsk‘ in her heart before cing her suitcase squarely in


    front of him. “How about this? I’ll give you a chance to repay your debt.”