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

Chapter 0447

Sawyer went out to buy food for Alex, leaving only Alex and Candice in the entire house.

Alex's voice rang out casually. "Darius came to Dorrington to discuss business. He'll be heading back to Solaris tomorrow morning. He can't spend the New Year in Dorrington; it wouldn't look good to Old Mr. Quinton."

Leaning on the couch, Alex tilted his head back, probably uncomfortable, as he furrowed his brow slightly. His voice, more subdued than usual, carried an undertone of weariness.

Candice glanced at him. She had heard various tales about Darius and the Quintons but never truly understood the situation. Yet, recalling her less-than-amicable parting with Darius when discussing terms, she didn't feel inclined to ask him further.

She had planned to wait until Alex left before taking a bath and resting. However, Sawyer's call, reporting that there were no open restaurants outside, disrupted her plans. This was expected, given that Northdale was not as bustling as Southdale and mostly consisted of small, individually- owned eateries, many of which closed for the New Year.

As Sawyer hung up, Alex's dark pupils turned leisurely toward Candice. She said with a slightly stern expression, "Once Sawyer returns, he should take you home."

Alex nodded, then stood up. He asked Candice, "Mind if I use your kitchen?"

Before Candice could express any opinion, he was already in the kitchen. Familiar with the layout, he effortlessly pulled out some meatballs from the refrigerator.

However, being inexperienced in such matters, Alex stood in the kitchen while holding a pack of meatballs, seemingly uncertain how to proceed. Unable to watch him waste food, Candice entered

the kitchen expressionlessly and took away the meatballs without a word, then started boiling some broth.

Alex didn't leave the kitchen; he leaned against the doorway, quietly watching Candice. The kitchen remained quiet, with only steam lingering in the air. Candice could sense his gaze behind her, but she paid it no mind, unwilling to ask.

Once the meatball soup was ready, she served it in a bowl and left the kitchen.

The phone on the coffee table displayed several messages from Yana, who had shared multiple photos of Bay Island's scenery in their group chat. Nadia expressed envy and asked her to start a video call.

As Yana's video call came in, Candice took her phone to the bedroom. Passing by Alex, she hesitated for a moment but said nothing.

Yana didn’t want to go to Bay Island in the beginning, but it now seemed that she was enjoying herself there. After she showed the group around on the video call, she asked Candice, “Candy, if you’re spending New Year’s alone at home, why don’t you visit me here? We can celebrate the New Year together.”

Candice declined. "It’s okay. I'm fine in Dorrington."

"Are you really fine all alone?"

"If you want me to come and witness the love-hate relationship between you and Mason, I'll be there in a heartbeat," Candice teased with a remark, and immediately, Yana shifted her attention, launching into a tirade against Mason.

Candice chatted with Yana and others in the room for a long time. Upon hearing the front door opening, she paused, ended the call, and headed out.

To her surprise, Sawyer stood at the doorway, looking awkward. Following his gaze, Candice noticed Alex on the sofa, still reclined with a sleepy appearance. Empty medicine boxes scattered on the coffee table suggested he had taken some sleep-inducing medication.

Sawyer looked at Candice, gesturing for her to come over. "Sorry. I just got a call, and I had to deliver something before I could come over. I’ve informed Mr. Elysian," he explained.

Candice nodded. "Well, take him away now. I need to rest."

However, Sawyer hesitated even more as he looked at Candice with a troubled expression. Candice cut him off before he could say anything. "I can't let him stay overnight here."

They had practically severed ties, and letting him rest here was already generous. There was no need for him to stay overnight.

Candice's stance was firm. She glanced at Alex, about to speak, but met his dark, misty eyes. Perhaps due to just waking up, his eyes seemed gentler and more moist than usual, devoid of the usual hostility.

Candice said to him, "It's already late. You can leave now."

Alex lowered his gaze to his phone, giving a faint acknowledgment. After seeing him off, Candice turned back to the dining table, which was neat and clean except for a USB drive in the corner.

The Aether Corporation logo was engraved on the USB; it seemed to contain something the company needed. Candice snapped a photo and sent it to Alex, but there was no reply for a while.

It wasn't until the next morning that Candice saw his response, stating that he would come to pick it up today.

It was New Year's Eve, and the atmosphere was lively everywhere. The neighborhood was bustling with children and people returning for the celebrations.

Candice sat in the living room by the window with a view of the street, responding to various festive messages. Jackson knew her situation and invited her to spend New Year's at his place, but Candice declined. Hannah insisted on celebrating with Hanley at the Baldwins’ residence.

Angela happily shared a New Year's Eve vlog on her social media. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

In the morning, Candice cleaned the photo frames of her grandparents and took out the groceries she had bought, which included ingredients for all their favorite dishes.

Candice made four dishes, spending the whole afternoon on them. As the sky darkened, she paused amid ladling soup and glanced outside to see the myriad lights illuminating the surroundings.

In the living room, the New Year's Eve Gala began on the TV, accompanied by the lively applause of the audience. Candice stood in the kitchen, lit only by a dim yellow lamp above her head. NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.

Her eyes fixed on the soup ladle, she pursed her lips as her hands trembled involuntarily. Outside, fireworks were set off by someone, casting a momentary brilliance across the entire sky.

Almost simultaneously, a knocking sound interrupted Candice's thoughts. She set down the ladle to answer the door and found Alex outside, exuding a cold aura.

"I'm here to pick up the USB." His gaze shifted beyond Candice, noticing the prepared dishes on the table. Without waiting for an invitation, he walked into the house.

Candice turned around to grab the USB. Before she could say anything, Alex, glancing at the table, asked softly, "Since when did your cooking skills become so good?"

The four dishes she prepared had grown cold after she had spent the entire afternoon making them. Alex sat directly at the table and lowered his gaze for a moment. His fingertips tapped the tabletop, and his tone couldn't conceal his weariness. "I’ve been dealing with social obligations for days. Mind if I take refuge here for some peace?"

Perhaps it was the fireworks that had just lit up, accentuating the loneliness of the house. Candice, for once, didn't turn down Alex.

However, this New Year's Eve dinner was anything but peaceful. Alex's phone had been incessantly ringing since he took his seat, and Candice unintentionally glimpsed at it. They were mostly calls from Daniel.