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

Chapter 0539

Ellis seemed to be the most content among them as they ate the dinner in silence.

Alex had been experimenting with different baby food recipes, and Ellis seemed to adore them, showing excitement at every meal.

Glancing at Candice, Alex hesitated before speaking up, "You don't have to rush back. I'll be here for a while."

Candice didn't raise her eyes and responded sharply, "I'm not accustomed to living in someone else's home."

His expression darkened slightly as he looked at Ellis, countering, "Edward mentioned it's good for Little Mulberry to have some of my homemade baby food, and she seems to enjoy it."

Candice paused briefly. She acknowledged that Ellis liked the food Alex made, but that was precisely why she needed to take Ellis away. She understood the power of habits all too well.

If Ellis became accustomed to having Alex around, it would be even more difficult to separate them later.

"I've begun searching for a professional nanny again," she stated. "Thank you for your assistance with Little Mulberry these past few days."

"I still have work to coordinate with Darius. It would be more convenient if you stayed," he suggested.

"Work should be handled at the office," Candice retorted, setting down her utensils. "I'm full."

Her rejection was evident.

Though Alex felt disappointed, he didn't press the issue further and redirected his attention to Ellis.

The child was eating eagerly, charming anyone observing.

Candice had been encouraging Ellis's independence early on, hence why the little one had her own tiny spoon and was quite committed to using it.

When she caught Alex's gaze, she paused and offered him a smile.

Alex felt a bittersweet sensation in his heart.

It was obvious that he should have been there for Ellis's growth, but he hadn't even been present for her birth.

After dinner, Candice prepared to depart.

Alex took the initiative to grab Candice's luggage and offered, "Let me. I'll check the surroundings too; I'm still worried."

Lately, Ellis had been learning to walk and refused to be carried, preferring to toddle on her own. However, she didn't get far before feeling tired and sitting down on the ground, waiting for someone to pick her up.

Candice approached to lift her up, but Ellis squirmed, searching for Alex.

"Mommy's got you, be good and listen to me," Candice soothed her softly, unaware that Ellis's first instinct was to seek Alex.

Stretching out her arms, Ellis asked for Alex to hold her, as she had gotten used to playing the "lifted high" game with him every day.

Seeing his daughter do this melted Alex's heart. He gently said, "Let me take her."

Taking Ellis from Candice's arms, as soon as she was free, Ellis clung to Alex's arm, eager to play the lifting game with him.

Candice looked away, unable to bear watching the joy on Ellis’s face.

The house felt unfamiliar after days of being unoccupied.

Alex carried the luggage inside, scanning the surroundings. He then suggested, "I’ll check the surroundings."

After inspecting everything and finding the fridge empty, he asked, "Should we go buy groceries together, or should I bring some over?"

He seemed to never run out of tasks, moving from the kitchen to the rooms to the yard, always finding something to do.

Candice sat on the sofa, observing him calmly. She replied, "I ordered online, it will be delivered soon."

Alex paused and insisted, "Home delivery is not safe. I'll wait until they arrive and then before they leave, just to let people know there is a man in the house."

He was looking for reasons to stay.

Candice, understanding his intentions, felt she wasn’t being too harsh, especially since Ellis kept looking eagerly at Alex, seemingly puzzled as to why he wasn't playing with her.

When the ordered goods arrived, Alex held the grocery bag and suggested, "I'll cook dinner for you and breakfast for tomorrow."

Before he could finish, Candice interrupted him, saying, "Alex, that’s enough."

His gaze locked onto her as she added, "It's late. You can leave now."

The hope in Alex's eyes faded as he looked at Candice. His voice was slightly strained as he said, "Then I'll come by tomorrow. I know you're busy with work. I'll come and keep Little Mulberry company, okay?"

He spoke cautiously, his tone carrying a sincerity that made it seem like he was discussing something crucial with Candice.

Candice remained silent while Ellis babbled on. She didn't understand the adults' conversation and simply wanted to play with Alex. Children's worlds were simple; they liked whoever was kind to them.

And now, she knew that Alex would make her delicious food, buy her toys, play with her, and lift her up high.

Candice noticed the expression on Ellis's face and felt somewhat annoyed.

She couldn't be so cold-hearted, having never received parental love herself as a child. She always hesitated to make Ellis feel neglected, which was why they had stayed with Alex for so long.

She knew it wasn't entirely right, but whenever she saw Ellis's sparkling eyes, she thought, ‘Let it be.’

In the end, Candice didn't respond to Alex's question. She carefully prepared baby food for Ellis, but she herself had no appetite.

Alex lost his appetite as well. Returning to his empty house, he felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

Though Candice and Ellis hadn't stayed for long, Alex felt as if their presence lingered everywhere in the house.

He placed the groceries from the open kitchen counter in the fridge. Normally lacking the patience for cooking, having Candice and Ellis around made him feel the warmth of a home. Now, alone, he found no joy in it.

At that moment, the phone rang with calls from both Sieg and Helen.

Without hesitation, Alex hung up on Helen and answered Sieg's call. "What's up?" NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

His voice was hoarse and tired.

Sieg initially wanted to make a sarcastic remark but held back upon hearing Alex's tone. He asked, "What's with that deadbeat tone? I thought you'd be living it up."

He was still bitter about having to apologize to Candice.

After his initial rant, Sieg relayed the news he had received.

He said, "Oscar left Dorrington. He's probably headed your way. You forced him out of the company and nearly had him jailed. I guess he harbors some resentment and might look for an opportunity to get revenge on you. Be careful."

Dealing with Oscar had been almost effortless for Alex despite Oscar rallying support behind the scenes. After all, Alex was an Elysian and had the backing of the Sui family.

With Daniel's fall and Shawn's reputation still intact, it was clear whom those people would side with.

Yet, remembering Oscar, Alex couldn't help but feel displeased.

He responded gravely, "Got it."