? I'd prefer someone with a certificate in nutrition," I said to Lanny fro

Ma'am," Lan

me help for household chores like cleaning, gardening, and meal preparati

itional person seemed intrusive, an obstacle to the possible

ce only led to a life

life, there was no point in clinging to

d behind me, balancing a bundle of supplements in his arms. Mathias was descending the

sed for now," I said,

ias, Lanny placed the supplements

nce. Prepare yourself to join me," Mathias told me, his tone disinter

events, unless it was absolutely nece

egan. It was not a matter of disrespect, but rather the w

reafter, I made

amping my wardrobe, moving away from the

s, featuring a daring V-neck veiled by a layer of shee

y height—over 5.5 feet—gave me enough confidence to fe

ere Olivia's sort of in

l earrings and a coordinating necklace. Tonight, I planned t

n't acknowledge me as I descended the stairs, but I wasn'

nd got into the car without even

silent, and neither of us

I stayed busy on my phone, che

to your liking, I can arrange to s

The food here is f

ents for you today. I'll bring them along w

e to go to such lengt

reason you're in this predicament. So please,

as was a handsome catch with deep pockets. In a similar vein, I cou

tain balanced satisfactio

head, a slight acknowledgement of my altered appearance

tions that astonished male leads in TV d

with my hand and quipped, "Really? Even

athias' expression. "Could you please mind

ld I?" I

who had a brush with death often gained a more open perspective on life. W

," Mathias retorted, his

ike a wife, but he expe

e mood for conversation. In the past, whenever Mathias would speak

ried couple, engaging in light chitchat with a few familiar bus

ext to me. Upon closer look, wasn't she the very cel

y yourself?" Another woman

why don't you join me?" Ximena Gibs

t voices. Olivia was much the same, as were others who

two women chatted beside me, see

t? Aren't you going to say hello?"

my' Mr. Murray? The man is married,

t you two have been pretty cozy lately. Did he buy you a

asted. "I can't even fathom why he treats me so well. I c

rosity to everyone; excep

his had only praise for him after their af

e sitting alone. "Rylie, where's Mathias? Wh

d Zendaya spun around to scrutinize me. Their e

r hanging around him? He's just engrossed in business chatter with

ised. It had been years since I las

," my dad declared, seemingly oblivious to my changed m