My Mirror Image by Maybe Not (Candice And Alex’s) novel Chapter 445

The meatballs, chubby and appetizing, were topped with two strands of greens, and Alex gladly accepted. As he ate, his manner was meticulous and elegant, giving the impression that he wasn't consuming meatballs but indulging in some gourmet delicacy.

Candice, on the other hand, ate slowly, solely due to a lack of appetite. As the TV played some old TV series, Candice poked at her meatballs, wearing a faint expression.

"Don't you like meatballs anymore?" A warm and deep voice sounded beside her. Candice looked up to find Alex gazing at her.

Candice actually enjoyed meatballs; back in school, whenever she couldn't decide what to eat, meatballs were the go-to choice. She put her spoon in the bowl, checked the time on her phone, and reminded Alex, "It's already late."

Alex's gaze rippled slightly as he pondered. "You haven't answered my question," he said while looking at the nearly untouched meatballs in her bowl. "Is this all you're having for dinner? Are you sure it's enough?"

"I don't have an appetite," Candice finally said after a prolonged silence.

"Why?" Alex inquired, watching her.

Candice, meeting Alex's gaze, tightened and then slowly released her grip on the spoon, letting it tap against the bowl's edge with a crisp sound. "No reason. I’m just not hungry."

When Alex left, the whole room instantly quieted down. The familiar cedar scent that clung to him vanished in the air. Candice breathed a sigh of relief.

The phone on the table rang; it was Yana. She sounded quite lamentable. "Candy, I can't join you guys in Stugan City. My dad rented two villas on Bay Island, and our whole family is spending the New Year there. We're taking the morning flight tomorrow."

Candice replied, "Sounds great."

"Great? Mason's family is going too." Yana was not pleased. "I bet that scumbag Mason will bring Susan along. I just don't get it. Why does my dad have to disgust me like this?"

Candice had heard Yana and Nadia complain about the situation between Mason and Susan. Mason's family had always opposed Susan marrying into the family, but Mason was determined, so he brought her everywhere. In the end, the Landors and Coopers somehow accepted this strange behavior and allowed Yana and Mason to be engaged again, despite Yana's protests.

Yana was in an utterly dejected state, yet she fancied herself a reasonable child with generational wealth. Since she had been living off her family's wealth, she knew she had to toe the line, as she didn't have the confidence to break free from this lifestyle of relying on others for everything and living a casual life with a monthly allowance of three hundred thousand.

When she called, it was simply to vent her frustrations, and once she was done complaining, she hung up.

With Yana's complaint, Candice felt somewhat relieved. She put the dishes in the kitchen and, when she came out, found Alex's coat still on the sofa.

While she hesitated about what to do, a knock on the door sounded, coinciding with a message on her phone. It was from Alex.

‘It's me.’

Candice pursed her lips and opened the door. As expected, it was Alex. He had just been outside, and his body exuded a chill. Without entering, he stood at the doorway.

Candice handed him his coat, saying, "You forgot your coat."

The group returned to the villa after buying everything. The reunion lunch was scheduled for noon due to Nadia's group rushing to catch a flight in the afternoon. Despite the bustling crowd, the tasks were completed quickly.

As a pregnant woman, Candice was sent to watch TV since no one dared to let her help. Sitting idly, she casually scrolled through her social media and lingered on a photo posted by Kayla from Aether Corporation's team-building New Year’s Eve dinner. It seemed to be from yesterday.

Candice paused on that photo for a while before scrolling further.

The dishes were served, and Hannah, accompanied by Yuric, arrived. Candice opened the door, and as soon as Hannah entered, she embraced Candice, cheerfully wishing her a happy New Year in advance. The reunion lunch was lively. At one point, Hannah raised her glass, joyfully shouting, "Happy New Year!"

Candice, somewhat influenced by the festive atmosphere, enjoyed the entire meal in a good mood.

After the meal, not long after Nadia and the others left to pack, Candice stood alone in the yard and basked in the sunlight.

Her phone began buzzing with New Year's wishes, mostly group messages, even from Angela and Yondu, sounding almost identical.

Candice replied to each one.

In the afternoon, she saw off Nadia's group and then returned to Northdale, hugging the huge artwork, preparing to spend New Year's Eve alone.