The air in the Dennis living room turned heavy after the cold splash of juice soaked Miranda's uniform. Her hands trembled as she struggled to keep hold of the gift basket. Her eyes remained wide in shock, cheeks burning with humiliation.
Joanne stood back, arms crossed, a smug expression glued to her face.
Kennedy stepped forward, glaring at her.
"What the hell was that, Joanne?" he snapped, his voice hard and cutting through the silence like a blade.
Joanne turned, tossing her hair. "It was just juice."
"Just juice?" Kennedy's voice deepened. "You embarrassed a guest in our home like she's beneath you."
"She is beneath us," Joanne muttered with a shrug. "She's a delivery girl, Kenny. Don't act like you haven't seen people like her before."
Kennedy took a step closer, his face now inches from hers.
"We weren't raised to treat people like dirt," he said coldly. "Our mother would've been ashamed to see you behave like this."
Joanne's confident expression cracked slightly.
"Apologize," he demanded.
"What?" she blinked. "You want me to apologize to her?"
"Yes. Now."
Everyone watched, including the maids peeking from the hallway. Even Miranda, still dripping juice, looked stunned.
Joanne's nostrils flared, and she clenched her fists. With a visible grimace, she turned toward Miranda and forced the words out through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry."
Then, without waiting for a response, she stomped toward the stairs. Her heels clicked hard against the marble floor.
But just as she reached the first step, she froze.
Kennedy turned back to Miranda.
"You shouldn't be running around doing three jobs and collapsing in the streets," he said gently.
"Quit all of them. Come work here in our mansion and I'll pay you better."
Miranda's brows shot up in disbelief.
"I… I can't just quit…"
"She won't work here!" Joanne suddenly snapped from the stairs.
Everyone turned to her.
"I won't live in the same house with her," she added, her voice loud and indignant.
Before Kennedy could reply, Mr. Daniel Dennis rose slowly from his seat, folding his napkin with care.
"That's enough, Joanne." She froze.
He continued, calm but firm. "This house belongs to me, not you. And I won't tolerate disrespect…either to your brother or to our guest."
Joanne blinked rapidly. "But Dad…!"
"If Kennedy wants to hire her, then she's welcome here. And if you don't like it, you can go back to your room."
Defeated and fuming, Joanne said nothing. With a sharp turn, she stormed up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door shut, rattling the frame.
Silence returned to the room.
Miranda shifted awkwardly, still standing by the entrance with juice clinging to her shirt.
"I appreciate the offer," she said softly. "But I really don't think I can accept it. I'm still schooling, and I… I just started my final semester."
"Schooling?" Kennedy repeated with curiosity.
"Yes," Miranda nodded. "I attend Crestwood University. I'm actually Joanne's coursemate."
Mr. Daniel Dennis raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise. "You are?"
"Yes, sir. I know she probably doesn't remember me in class, but—"
"Well," he interrupted, standing now beside Kennedy. "That changes nothing. If anything, it makes you more qualified. We'll schedule your work hours around your classes. It won't interfere with your schooling, I promise you that."
"I don't want to impose," Miranda whispered, unsure.
"You won't be," Kennedy said. "We're offering. Not out of pity—but because we respect your strength."
"I don't even know what I'd be doing…"
"We'll figure that out together," Kennedy replied with a small smile. "You can start tomorrow or whenever suits you."
Miranda stared at the two men, unsure if this was a dream or a trap. Her life had gone from being yelled at in a store to being offered employment in a mansion… in a matter of hours.
"I… I'll think about it," she whispered.
Miranda's head was spinning. Just hours ago, she had collapsed in the middle of a road from an asthma attack and heartbreak.
Now, here she was…offered a job in a mansion by the very family that unknowingly connected her to so much pain.
"I'll think about it," she whispered, lowering her gaze.
"Good," Kennedy replied with a firm nod. "Take your time. You deserve better than whatever you've been through."
Just then, a knock sounded at the front door.
The maid closest to the entrance walked swiftly over and pulled it open with a gentle swing.
Standing in the warm glow of the porch light was a tall, well-dressed young man. He held a lush bouquet of red roses and wore a smug, confident grin.
"I'm here to see Joanne," he said.
Kennedy furrowed his brow.
Miranda blinked, her body stiffening as the voice seeped into her like ice. She took a slow step back, her hands trembling slightly.
The man stepped inside without waiting for permission, scanning the room until his eyes fell…unexpectedly…on Miranda.
His confident smile faltered.
Miranda stood frozen, heart pounding, as her eyes met the very person who had shattered her just the day before.
Elon Dax…?
The man who had told her she was too "immature," who had cheated on her with Joanne…the very girl who had humiliated her earlier that evening.
He stood in the middle of the Dennis family mansion holding flowers…for Joanne.
"…Miranda?" he said, stunned.
Miranda didn't respond. Her gaze fell from his face to the roses in his hands, and then over to Joanne, who was now descending the stairs in a sleek silk robe.
"Oh, baby!" Joanne purred, rushing over and throwing her arms around Elon like no one else existed in the room.
She kissed him on the cheek with deliberate pride, her eyes flicking to Miranda with triumphant satisfaction.
Miranda remained silent. The room swirled. The humiliation from earlier returned in full force…but this time, it was mixed with something different. Resolve.
Kennedy stepped closer to her, sensing the change in the air. His jaw tightened as he watched the awkward exchange.
Joanne turned and smirked.
"Oh, did I forget to mention? Elon is my boyfriend now." She made sure to pronounce each word slowly. "Isn't life… ironic?"
Miranda didn't flinch. Not this time.
"I should go," she whispered to Kennedy, who was still watching Joanne and Elon with thinly veiled contempt.
"No," Kennedy said softly but firmly, his hand lightly brushing her elbow. "You're not going anywhere."
Joanne rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you're defending the help now?"
Mr. Daniel rose again, calm but authoritative. "That's enough, Joanne."
"I was just…"
"She's a guest. And soon to be a member of this house. Show some decency."
Joanne clenched her jaw and forced a sweet smile, then dragged Elon toward the hallway.
"Come on, babe. Let me show you my room," she purred loudly.
Elon looked back at Miranda once more…guilt briefly flashed across his face but he followed Joanne anyway.
Miranda stood still, heart hardened, as the man who once swore he loved her disappeared down the hallway with the girl who had humiliated her.