The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)

The early morning sun of July wasn't stifling, just a gentle warmth.

Mirabella, with her dog Buster in tow, walked up to the handsome man standing before her. She raised an eyebrow in a casual greeting. "Morning."

"Morning," James replied, his voice crisp. His eyes lingered on Mirabella's face.

Her skin was fair, her features relaxed with a lazy elegance, a stark contrast to the glamorous makeup she had showcased in her Twitter photos the previous night.

James sighed internally, a flicker of disappointment crossing his mind, but he quickly covered it with a smile. "Happy birthday."

Having received his generous gift the night before, Mirabella nodded, her response warm. "Thanks."

Buster was desperately trying to leap towards James, but Mirabella, pressing her temples, pulled the eager dog back, keeping him at bay.noveldrama

James glanced at Buster. "He's grown quite a bit."

"Probably because he eats so much," Mirabella said, rolling her eyes slightly.

James's lips twitched at her remark.

As they walked along the lakeside, Buster's boundless energy became too much, and Mirabella decided to let him off the leash.

"The final exam results are coming out soon, right?" James asked, casting a sidelong glance at the girl beside him.

"Yeah, tomorrow."

Mirabella's lashes fluttered down, their synchronized steps creating a rhythm of their own as a breeze brushed a stray hair across her lips.

James's fingers twitched, tempted to brush it away, yet he restrained himself, his voice softer. "Decided on a major yet?"

Mirabella lifted her gaze towards the joyfully running Buster. "Yeah."

She didn't elaborate, and James, knowing her to be someone with a plan, paused before asking, "Planning to stay on campus or off?"

"Off. Nick's already found us a place," Mirabella said, her fingers idly twirling the dog leash behind her back.

At that, James momentarily stiffened.

Mirabella turned, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Isn't Nick always abroad? He's not planning to return?" James kept his tone even, maintaining their pace.

"No, he's not coming back."

When they encountered a jogger, Buster took off after them, causing Mirabella to chase after her dog with a sigh of exasperation.

James watched her receding figure with a resigned sigh.

This was going to be tough.

After retrieving Buster and completing another lap around the lake with James, Mirabella headed home.

Zach, who had been watching from the second-floor balcony, hurried down the stairs to confront her. "Mirabella, was that neighbor guy here to see you again?" he asked, lowering his voice so much that he barely noticed Buster's enthusiastic greetings.

Mirabella shot him a look. "He has a name."

"I know you just turned eighteen today, but you really shouldn't be rushing into anything. College is just around the corner, and you should focus on your studies, okay?" Zach lectured, a familiar spiel Mirabella had heard countless times. She merely waved him off, heading to the fridge to grab a carton of milk.

Undeterred, Zach followed, intent on imparting more brotherly wisdom, only to be interrupted by Shawn, carrying plates of breakfast. "Oh, Mira, could you invite James over for lunch later?" Shawn asked, oblivious to Zach's discomfort.

"Sure, Dad," Mirabella replied, leaning against the counter, sipping her milk. Zach could only sigh in resignation.