My Mirror Image by Maybe Not (Candice And Alex’s)

Chapter 0501

Candice's voice cut through the air as she spoke up, "Your presence only brings disturbance."

Alex swallowed as he fixed his gaze on Candice. He replied, "Joe used to be kind to me."

"Yes, he had a fondness for you," Candice acknowledged.

She didn't deny it. Since the first time she introduced Alex to her grandfather, Joe had taken a liking to him. For a while, Joe would light up whenever he heard news about Alex.

A glimmer of hope flickered in Alex's eyes at her admission, but before he could speak any further, Candice interjected, "But you yourself admitted that those times are behind us."

Candice glanced at the array of items laid out before the gravestone. Without a doubt, she was aware that Alex had brought them.

"I don't want to argue with you here. Please remove your things and let them rest in peace," she urged.

"I just wanted to pay my respects," Alex protested.

Candice took a deep breath, her tone gentle yet firm, as if mindful of disturbing Joe. She continued, "Alex, can't you see the situation clearly?"

Though her words seemed gentle, the implication was clear and deliberate. "I've told you before. I don't want you to show up here. And this is my grandpa. He has no connection to you."

Candice stood her ground, her stance filled with resistance, almost as if his presence was unbearable.

Alex felt a chill creeping over him. He would have preferred anger or hatred in Candice's eyes rather than this calmness that seemed to erase his existence. He couldn't bear hearing Candice speak to him with such distant tranquility.

Many had commented on the likeness between Candice and himself. Alex had assumed it was only natural; after all, he had played a significant role in shaping Candice's character. Surely, she would bear some resemblance to him.

However, seeing Candice's detached coldness, reflecting his own, caused a sharp pain in his chest.

Reluctant to clean up his offerings, Alex watched as Candice took it upon herself to do so. She clumsily gathered the expensive items he had brought and stuffed them into a basket at his feet.

Afterward, she arranged her own offerings and set them in place.

Turning away from Alex, Candice crouched down to light the candles and silently recited the words she wished to convey to Joe about herself and Ellis.

"She's too young to visit you now. When she's older, I'll bring her here," Candice murmured, addressing Joe.

Once they had paid their respects to her grandparents, Candice packed up and prepared to leave. Alex followed her out of the graveyard.

Candice didn't want to engage in an argument with him there, so she acted as if she hadn't noticed his presence.

Yana, waiting below, was surprised to see Alex and asked, "Why is he here?"

Candice didn't feel like explaining and simply replied, "Let's go."

"Okay," Yana responded, casting a puzzled glance at Alex before following Candice without further comment.

On a weekday, the graveyard was deserted, with few visitors in sight.

Once Yana drove away, she checked the rearview mirror and noticed Alex still standing there. Dressed in somber black attire, he exuded an air of solemnity, yet Yana couldn't shake off a feeling of loneliness emanating from him.

Blinking to dispel the odd sensation, she turned her gaze toward Candice, who remained silent, appearing to be in a sour mood.

Trying to lighten the atmosphere, Yana initiated a conversation.

She said, "The weather is lovely today. It's almost as if the heavens are blessing you on your birthday, replacing the recent cloudy days with sunshine. After we ate, we headed to the amusement park. Since it's a weekday, there weren't too many people."

Upon arriving at the villa, Yana was delighted to see the elaborate decorations.

Candice also seemed pleasantly surprised. While she had anticipated some preparation, the sight of the entire villa decked out for her birthday party brought a genuine smile to her face.

"Surprise!"

Her coworkers suddenly descended from upstairs, bearing a cake and gifts in their hands.

Nadia, with a gleeful smile, asked, "Did you miss me? The boss mentioned it's your birthday, so he gave us a day off to come back from South City."

It would be a lie to say that Candice wasn't surprised. Given her reserved nature, she didn't have many friends, so her coworkers were already considered close to her.

She turned to Hanley, who stood at the back of the group. She gave him a slight smile and said, "Thank you."

Hanley's eyes sparkled with delight. He apologized, "I'm sorry I had to leave in a hurry before and couldn't stay for your birthday, but I'm glad I could make it this time."

Candice was taken aback. Then, she glanced at Yana.

Yana quickly interjected, "It wasn't me!"

Laughter erupted with Ellis' voice standing out as she clapped her hands and called for her mother.

The party continued until eight in the evening when the group began discussing plans for a barbecue feast.

Candice trailed behind everyone with Hanley walking beside her. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Observing Nadia and Yana playing with the baby, Candice couldn't help but laugh. She then turned to Hanley and remarked, "This is the happiest birthday I've ever had."

Hanley responded, "Don't say it's the happiest. All your future ones will be joyful too."

"I hope so too," Candice responded.

Approaching the entrance of the neighborhood, the group chattered and laughed as they hurried out, leaving Candice and Hanley behind.

The laughter gradually subsided.

Suddenly, Hanley spoke up, "I realized I forgot to wish you a happy birthday earlier today. Candy, happy birthday!"

Hanley's voice was naturally magnetic. When he intentionally lowered and softened it, it sounded even more gentle.

Initially taken aback, Candice replied, "Oh! Thank you."

"Here's your gift," Hanley said, handing her a box.

When Candice opened the box, the streetlight illuminated a shimmering bracelet. It was incredibly beautiful.

Observing her reaction, Hanley cleared his throat and asked, "Do you like it?"

"Of course!" Candice genuinely appreciated it. She said, "It's so beautiful. You have an artist's level of appreciation."

Hanley nodded in agreement and replied, "As long as you like it."

"I really do," Candice said, sliding the bracelet onto her wrist.

As the sparkling bracelet adorned her slender wrist, it looked even more magnificent.

Hanley's gaze intensified. Suddenly, he found himself unable to share the story behind the bracelet with Candice.

Legend had it that a bracelet crafted by a man for a woman symbolized their destined eternal bond once she wore it. This bracelet wasn't bought; he had made it himself.

Unable to speak, Hanley met Candice's joyful gaze.

It wasn't until Yana's dissatisfied voice echoed from afar that they headed outside.

Unnoticed by Candice and Hanley, a car was parked nearby in the shadows.

Inside the car, Alex watched as Candice and Hanley departed. Concealed in darkness, only the box he held was visible, bearing the engraved letter 'C'. It was a gift he had long wanted to give Candice, but it seemed he was already too late.