WebNovels

Chapter 3 - Chapter Three: Tangled Fates

The night was quiet again and the road that had seen Miranda collapse under the cold shimmer of a streetlight now echoed with the distant sound of a convoy approaching.

A sudden honk shattered the stillness and then another cars halted in a clean line as red brake lights reflected against the pavement.

From the sleek black Mercedes at the front, a tall man stepped out.

Kennedy Dennis In his mid-twenties, dressed in a tailored navy shirt with rolled sleeves, his sharp jawline was shadowed with just the right hint of stubble. 

His eyes…hazel and observant…narrowed the moment he spotted the fragile body lying motionless in the road.

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward her.

"God," he muttered under his breath, kneeling beside Miranda and he immediately checked her pulse as her breathing was shallow, her lips were looking pale.

Without waiting for another second, he scooped her into his arms effortlessly.

"Leo!" he barked at his chauffeur. "Turn the car around now! Take her to Dennis Memorial Hospital and no delays."

"Yes, sir!"

Kennedy slid into the back seat with Miranda in his arms, holding her close, his eyes never leaving her face as the car sped off into the night.

...

HOURS LATER – DENNIS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

The sterile white room was quiet except for the soft beep of the monitor beside her. Miranda's eyes fluttered open.

She squinted at the ceiling, then turned slowly to find a man seated by her bed, reading something on his phone.

Her voice came out in a whisper. "You…"

Kennedy looked up immediately and smiled.

"You're awake. Thank God."

Miranda struggled to sit up. "You're the one who…who helped me?"

"I found you unconscious in the middle of the road," he said gently. "I thought we lost you for a moment."

She blinked slowly. "Thank you, I really appreciate it but I have to go. I'm already so late for work and If I don't go now, I'll be fired."

He stood and gently pressed a hand on her shoulder. "You're not strong enough to walk out of this room, let alone work."

She shook her head. "You don't know my boss. She's heartless. If I miss even a day…"

"But you almost died," he said, frowning. "Stay, just for today."

"I can't afford to lose my job," she said with a sad smile. "But thank you. Truly."

Despite his protests, Miranda got out of the bed, changed into her worn-out clothes, and left, completely unaware of the eyes watching her every step.

Kennedy sighed and reached into his pocket.

"Leo," he said through his Bluetooth earpiece, "get Valerie to run a background check on that girl. I want to know who she is and where she works. ASAP."

"Yes, Mr. Dennis."

...

An Hour Later – Outside a Small Convenience Store

Kennedy stood across the street in an unmarked car, sunglasses on, watching the scene unfold.

Valerie had gotten back to him quickly.

Name: Miranda Lambert. Age: 22. Scholarship student. Lives in a shared dorm, Parents: unknown. Part-time jobs: two.

Inside the store, a plump woman with a sour expression was waving her hands furiously, her shrill voice rising.

"I don't care if you fainted or stopped breathing!" the woman barked. "If you don't want this job, hand over your apron!"

Miranda stood quietly, as her eyes remained downward, hands clutching the straps of her backpack.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. It won't happen again."

"Better not," the woman sneered. "Now get back to work!"

Miranda bowed slightly and hurried into the back to start sorting deliveries.

Kennedy's jaw tensed. "She works that hard, and still smiles?"

His phone rang, breaking the moment.

He answered, and a squeal of joy came through the line.

"Daddy said you're coming home today! Are you really on your way, Kenny?"

Kennedy chuckled. "Yes, princess. I'll be home soon."

"Ya ay! I miss you soooo much!"

"I miss you too, pumpkin. Tell Joanne to stop eating your cookies before I get there."

"Too late!"

Kennedy laughed and hung up.

He looked one last time at the store where Miranda was now bent over a delivery crate… and then turned the key in the ignition.

...

Later That Evening – Dennis Family Mansion

The Dennis mansion stood like royalty on the hills of Crestwood…tall marble columns, a driveway wide enough to land a plane, and windows that gleamed like crystal.

Inside the mansion, the family was bustling with excitement.

Joanne Carter…still radiant even in her pajamas…was jumping from couch to couch like a child.

"He's coming home!" she sang. "My big brother's finally home!"

The grand wooden doors opened, and Kennedy stepped in. Immediately, a young girl…his daughter, Eva…sprinted toward him and leapt into his arms.

" Daddy!" He laughed and spun her around. "There's my favorite girl."

Joanne ran to him next and hugged him tight. "Ugh, it's about time! We've all missed you."

His father, Mr. Daniel Dennis, walked in, clapping him on the back. "Welcome home, son. You've done well."

Dinner was warm and full of laughter, with the family seated around the vast mahogany table under the golden chandelier.

Until a knock echoed through the mansion and the maid shuffled to the door.

When she opened it, a delivery girl stood at the threshold, holding a modest gift basket wrapped in clear film.

"I have a delivery for Mr. Daniel Dennis," she said.

The maid looked down. "From who?"

"Bloom Basket Florals," Miranda replied.

The maid nodded and waved her in.

Miranda stepped into the mansion, her uniform slightly wrinkled, a small bead of sweat running down her temple.

She glanced around nervously, overwhelmed by the sheer elegance of the home.

Joanne, who had just returned to the living room, turned…and immediately spotted her.

The smirk returned.

"Well, well, well," Joanne said loudly, rising from the couch. "Isn't this awkward?"

Miranda blinked, startled. "You live here?"

"My father owns this house," Joanne said, strutting toward her. 

"And I see you've upgraded from sweeping classrooms to delivering gift baskets now."

Kennedy turned toward the commotion, already halfway through a glass of water.

"Joanne, stop…" he began.

But Joanne was on a roll. "How many jobs do you work, Miranda? Four? Five? And still can't afford new shoes?"

She reached for a nearby jug and before anyone could stop her…splashed juice down Miranda's front.

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Miranda gasped, clutching the basket close, her hands trembling, her eyes wide in humiliation.

Joanne leaned in, whispering mockingly, "Oops…clumsy me."

"JOANNE!" Kennedy barked, voice sharp as thunder.

She flinched and turned to him, but his eyes weren't on her.

They were locked on Miranda and that's when Miranda finally looked up… and recognition struck her like lightning.

"You…" she whispered.

Kennedy stepped forward, his voice

gentler now. "Yes. It's me."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. 

"You're Joanne's brother?"

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