My Mirror Image by Maybe Not (Candice And Alex’s) novel Chapter 501

Candice's voice cut through the air as she spoke up, "Your presence only brings disturbance."

Alex swallowed as he fixed his gaze on Candice. He replied, "Joe used to be kind to me."

"Yes, he had a fondness for you," Candice acknowledged.

She didn't deny it. Since the first time she introduced Alex to her grandfather, Joe had taken a liking to him. For a while, Joe would light up whenever he heard news about Alex.

A glimmer of hope flickered in Alex's eyes at her admission, but before he could speak any further, Candice interjected, "But you yourself admitted that those times are behind us."

Candice glanced at the array of items laid out before the gravestone. Without a doubt, she was aware that Alex had brought them.

"I don't want to argue with you here. Please remove your things and let them rest in peace," she urged.

"I just wanted to pay my respects," Alex protested.

Candice took a deep breath, her tone gentle yet firm, as if mindful of disturbing Joe. She continued, "Alex, can't you see the situation clearly?"

Though her words seemed gentle, the implication was clear and deliberate. "I've told you before. I don't want you to show up here. And this is my grandpa. He has no connection to you."

Candice stood her ground, her stance filled with resistance, almost as if his presence was unbearable.

Alex felt a chill creeping over him. He would have preferred anger or hatred in Candice's eyes rather than this calmness that seemed to erase his existence. He couldn't bear hearing Candice speak to him with such distant tranquility.

Many had commented on the likeness between Candice and himself. Alex had assumed it was only natural; after all, he had played a significant role in shaping Candice's character. Surely, she would bear some resemblance to him.

However, seeing Candice's detached coldness, reflecting his own, caused a sharp pain in his chest.

Reluctant to clean up his offerings, Alex watched as Candice took it upon herself to do so. She clumsily gathered the expensive items he had brought and stuffed them into a basket at his feet.

Afterward, she arranged her own offerings and set them in place.

Turning away from Alex, Candice crouched down to light the candles and silently recited the words she wished to convey to Joe about herself and Ellis.

"She's too young to visit you now. When she's older, I'll bring her here," Candice murmured, addressing Joe.

Once they had paid their respects to her grandparents, Candice packed up and prepared to leave. Alex followed her out of the graveyard.

Candice didn't want to engage in an argument with him there, so she acted as if she hadn't noticed his presence.

Yana, waiting below, was surprised to see Alex and asked, "Why is he here?"

Candice didn't feel like explaining and simply replied, "Let's go."

"Okay," Yana responded, casting a puzzled glance at Alex before following Candice without further comment.

On a weekday, the graveyard was deserted, with few visitors in sight.

Once Yana drove away, she checked the rearview mirror and noticed Alex still standing there. Dressed in somber black attire, he exuded an air of solemnity, yet Yana couldn't shake off a feeling of loneliness emanating from him.

Blinking to dispel the odd sensation, she turned her gaze toward Candice, who remained silent, appearing to be in a sour mood.

Trying to lighten the atmosphere, Yana initiated a conversation.

She said, "The weather is lovely today. It's almost as if the heavens are blessing you on your birthday, replacing the recent cloudy days with sunshine. After we ate, we headed to the amusement park. Since it's a weekday, there weren't too many people."

Upon arriving at the villa, Yana was delighted to see the elaborate decorations.

Candice also seemed pleasantly surprised. While she had anticipated some preparation, the sight of the entire villa decked out for her birthday party brought a genuine smile to her face.

"Surprise!"