Where Love Begins

ows of Teddy's house, casting pale gold stripes across the pristine marble floors and white walls, illuminating dust motes that danced in the still air. Mira was alrea

cleaner-her hands were too soft, her posture too careful, as if she were used to being seen rather than hidden. But she said nothing. Instead, she stepped forward and shoved the heavy bouquet into Mira's arms, the thorns catching slightly on her sleeve. "Put these in a vase," she said coldly. "And be careful with them-these flowers were imported from Holland, more expensive than you'll probably earn in a month." Mira nodded quickly, holding the bouquet carefully against her chest. "Yes, ma'am. I'll find the best vase for them." She turned and walked away as quickly as she could, escaping to the kitchen where she could breathe again, her hands trembling slightly as she searched through the cabinets for a vase. Teddy forced a smile as he guided Caramel to the plush leather couch, sitting beside her and pulling a cushion closer to make her comfortable. Caramel leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, but her expression remained tight, her body stiff against his. "Why is she here?" she asked again, tugging lightly at his arm as if seeking reassurance. "There are dozens of professional cleaning services in the city-why hire someone off the street?" Teddy sighed, running a hand over his face before letting it fall to his lap, his fingers drumming lightly against his knee. "Dad thinks she's... compatible," he said vaguely, avoiding her eyes as he looked toward the window where Mira had been working. "He hired her as a caregiver a few days ago-said she has experience with elderly patients. She's supposed to help him with some things around the estate too." Caramel's lips curved into a slight pout, her fingers playing with the button on his jacket. "I don't like it," she murmured, her voice low. "I don't feel comfortable having someone with a shady past around you." She folded her arms, sulking as she sat up straight, putting distance between them now. Teddy reached for her hands, holding them gently between his own-his palms warm against her cold skin. "You're overthinking," he said softly, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at her. "Have you forgotten? That summer when we were sixteen-I nearly drowned in the lake at the outing. You saved me." His thumb brushed over her knuckles, a familiar gesture they'd shared hundreds of times. "Since that day... you've been the only one I've trusted. The only one who knows me-really knows me." Caramel's expression eased, the tension leaving her face as she leaned back into him. A small smile returned to her lips, and she squeezed his hands gently. "I just worry about you," she said, her voice softer now. "You're too trusting sometimes." Teddy leaned back slightly, looking up at the ceiling as if remembering something. "By the way... do you still have the wooden turtle I gave you?" Caramel blinked, her smile faltering for just a second before she recovered. "What wooden turtle?" "The one I carved myself," he said, his voice carrying a note of fondness as he looked back at her. "I gave it to you the day you saved me" For a brief moment- Something flickered across her face. Unease. A flash of panic that she tried to hide with a laugh. "Oh..." she said quickly, forcing a bright smile. "I'm so sorry-I lost it during the move to my new apartment last year. You know how chaotic moving can be." She pulled her hand away from his, reaching for her purse as if suddenly remembering something. "It's nothing important, though-just a silly wooden toy. Right?" She asked Teddy hesitated for a second and the said cheerfully " yea right...I have something for you..wait here" He planted a light peck on her cheeks and then stood up and walked away Caramel's smile dropped the moment he turned his back. Her fingers tightened against her dress, bunching the fabric in her fists as she glared toward the kitchen where Mira had disappeared. "A wooden turtle?" she whispered under her breath, her voice sharp with panic and fear. "I never knew about that... " Mira returned moments later, holding a tall crystal glass carefully in both hands-filled with clear water that sparkled under the lights. She'd found the hydrogen-rich water in a small fridge in the pantry, just as Caramel had demanded, and had polished the glass until it shone like ice. "Miss Montgomery," she said softly, forcing a polite smile as she stepped into the room. "Your hydrogen-rich water-just the way you like it." As she extended the glass toward her- Caramel's gaze dropped. To Mira's hand. To the ring that caught the light, its diamond winking like a taunt. Her expression changed instantly-from cold suspicion to white-hot anger. She shot to her feet, grabbing Mira's wrist so hard that Mira gasped in pain, the glass nearly slipping from her other hand. "The ring Teddy used to propose to me," she said slowly, her voice trembling with anger as she pulled Mira's hand closer, staring at the diamond. "Why is it on your finger?" Mira's eyes widened in shoc