Web Fic
Chapter 474
Mirabella stuffed her hands into her sweater pockets, occasionally glancing down at the pavement as she walked, her silhouette exuding an air of casual relaxation that seemed at odds with her somber mood.
She had slowed her pace from earlier, and after a bit, that unsettling sensation of being followed had vanished. It was an odd occurrence that didn’t sit well with her.
A rare severity shone in Mirabella’s eyes.
Her phone buzzed again in her pocket. It was Shawn checking in to see why it was taking her so long to come back home. Her response was brief, assuring him she’d return shortly before hanging up.
She looped around the neighborhood a few more times, and when nothing else out of the ordinary presented itself, Mirabella leisurely strolled back home.
Upon entering the house, she exchanged a few words with Shawn, who was lounging on the couch engrossed in a TV show. Remembering the earlier incident, she asked nonchalantly, “Dad, you haven’t run into any odd characters lately, have you?”
Shawn glanced at his daughter and offered her a freshly peeled orange. His brow furrowed in confusion. “Odd characters? No, why do you ask all of a sudden?” Could it be that Mirabella had spotted Grady’s people again?
Mirabella accepted the orange and methodically peeled a segment, speaking with a slight muffle, “I heard there had been some unsavory characters tailing residents around here. Just keep an eye out, both you and Mom.”
Shawn paused, “Really? That’s happening?”
“Yeah, heard about it when I went out to get some documents printed,” Mirabella lied smoothly.
“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind,” Shawn replied, his face betraying no hint of concern. Instead, he seemed relieved. As long as his daughter hadn’t noticed those from the company.
Mirabella eyed him suspiciously. His reaction seemed off. Shaking off the thought, she finished her orange and said, “Dad, I’m going to a dinner at my friend’s house tomorrow night, so you don’t need to pick me up in the afternoon.”
Instantly curious, Shawn asked, “Is it the friend who gave you that painting last time?”
Mirabella’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she hummed in affirmation.
“Go ahead then, but try to come home early,” Shawn said, standing up suddenly. “Wait here, I’ll get something for you to bring. Can’t go to dinner empty–handed…”
Mirabella quickly stood un bering the antique inkstone Shawn had insisted she take to Jenna’s last time. “No need, Dad. It’s just
dinner among friends. We don’t do the whole gift–giving thing. It’s too old–fashioned.”
Shawn stopped and turned back to her, pondering for a moment before agreeing, “Alright then, maybe invite your friend over to ours
next time.”
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“Sure,” Mirabella nodded. “I’m heading to my room to read.”
“Don’t stay up too late. Get some rest,” Shawn said with a note of concern.
Obediently, Mirabella ascended the stairs.
Once his daughter had vanished onto the second floor, Shawn sat back down, mulling over the ‘unsavory characters‘ Mirabella had mentioned.
After a moment, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to Grady. [Grady, arrange for a couple more people to keep an eye on her but stay out of sight. We don’t want to spook her.]
Back in her room, Mirabella retrieved the documents she had printed from her coat pocket, smoothing out the stack of pages on her desk. She flipped through them briefly before pulling out her notebook from her backpack and sat down, ready to dive into her work.