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

Chapter 0541

Hanley called Candice. Initially, they were discussing work matters, such as Erica's contract signing and the progress of the projects in South City. Then he said, "I heard Alex is over there."

Candice hesitated. She didn't know how to face Hanley now, especially when he brought up Alex.

Nevertheless, she couldn't bring herself to lie to Hanley, so she lowered her gaze and replied truthfully, "Yeah, he's collaborating with Darius."

"So, he came to see you." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

Candice didn't deny it. Her silence was the best response.

Hanley remained silent as well. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice tense. "There were some incidents in your neighborhood recently. What you did... Was it because of him?"

He was referring to when he had offered to come and accompany her, but she refused him outright.

Candice's emotions surged, and she was hesitant. She didn't know how to explain it to Hanley.

Honestly, she was almost thirty now and was long past her naive days. Hanley had helped her a lot before, and she couldn't say that she wasn’t moved or that she hadn’t noticed.

But...

She turned her head and glanced through the window, catching sight of Ellis playing with Alex. The little girl had grown a lot. She was still young-looking, but she resembled Alex, especially when they sat together. Anyone could see they were father and daughter.

Sometimes, Candice had to admit the power of blood ties.

Hanley, who didn’t get a reply from her, eventually sighed. "I understand."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Hanley's voice was magnetic and gentle as he said, "I'll respect whatever decision you make, as long as it's good for you."

Listening to his tone, Candice felt indescribable discomfort and frustration. She took a deep breath while uttering, "It's my fault."

"Why would you say that?" Hanley asked. "Do you feel sorry for me because Alex came to bother you? Candice, you shouldn’t think that. You always think everything is your fault."

After the call with Hanley ended, Candice was in a bad mood. She stood in the yard, feeling lost and confused.

A moment later, she heard footsteps behind her, and then Alex's deep voice rang out. "Who were you on the phone with? It seem to have dampened your mood."

Candice turned and saw Alex holding Ellis. Her gaze softened, but she didn't say anything and just turned around to walk back into the house.

Candice skipped lunch, as she had no appetite. She sat at her desk and stared blankly at her work reports.

-

"What’s on your mind? Why are you still up at this hour?"

In South City, Hanley stood on the balcony, looking at the sky outside.

The sky was pitch black, and only the neon lights above the city added some color. In recent years, stars had been a rare sight in the city due to pollution.

Ryan patted Hanley's shoulder, asking, "What are you brooding about?"

Hanley glanced at him and answered, "Nothing."

Ryan chuckled softly. "Okay, if you say so. Anyway, I heard Hannah say your mom’s condition have worsened again. Is it true?"

Ryan was one of the few who had met Hanley's mother, Natasha, and that was before she had a mental breakdown.

Ryan remembered her as a beautiful and gentle woman, and Hanley's features mirrored hers.

Alas, life was unpredictable. No one had expected such a beautiful woman to end up with a mental illness and be forcibly sent abroad.

At the mention of Natasha, Hanley's gaze darkened. She had always been a sore spot for him.

Hanley actually had a happy childhood. Although his father was always busy with work, he had his mother, sister, and grandparents. He had thought this happiness would continue into adulthood.

Later, a woman came with Caspian and kneeled in front of Natasha while crying bitterly, then she smashed her head against the wall in front of Natasha.

Although the woman was saved, Natasha was traumatized by the incident. Everything wasn’t the same after that night.

Caspian was brought back to the Baldwins to claim his birthright, while Natasha was diagnosed with a mental illness and sent to a psychiatric hospital. Hannah had to plead with her grandfather to send Natasha abroad for treatment.

At that time, Hanley didn't understand why Hannah had insisted on sending Natasha abroad. Later, he understood that if Natasha didn't leave, she might not have survived until now.

He looked up at the sky, which was dull and hazy. He couldn’t see anything.

He used to think Candice was a lot like him; they both carried some kind of unspoken burden. So, whenever he saw her in trouble, he was always willing to help, as if he were helping himself.

But how could people who were so alike be together?

And did he really have the freedom to fall in love?

Hanley lowered his head, a sardonic smile playing on his lips.

He had a mother with mental illness; she could have an episode at any time, and this illness was hereditary.

He shouldn't drag anyone into this mess.

So even though he knew his feelings for Candice were deep, he had never dared to overstep his boundaries.

As far as Hanley was concerned, the most outrageous thing he had ever done was make countless jars of lemon candy for Candice.

-

Alex came over for several days in a row, always bringing toys for Ellis.

Each time, he came prepared—he would have a box filled with various toys while holding one that Ellis would undoubtedly love. So, even before Candice could open the door, the little rascal was already eagerly waiting.

The newly appointed nanny was quite good at her job, and she took care of Ellis with dedication. With Alex coming over every day, Candice felt a bit relieved, even though she wasn't very keen.

She started going back to work, as she had been absent from the office for some time. Lauren cracked a joke when she saw her. "We were guessing that you'd gone on a honeymoon and hadn’t told us."

Candice replied, "Forget about honeymoons. You should submit the project proposal for Friday's meeting."

Though she hadn't been in the office these days, she had been working remotely and keeping up with the projects.

When she returned home, Alex was waiting for her downstairs, as usual.

These days, Candice wasn't very willing to engage with him, but he didn't seem bothered and would always walk next to her, holding a bouquet of hypoallergenic flowers and toys for Ellis.

He said, "I can’t play favorites. I always bring something for both of you."

Candice halted her steps, her voice soft as she said, "She's your daughter, so you can buy toys for her; I have no right to stop you. But you don't need to buy anything for me. I don't need it."

Alex looked at her. "But I want to give you something."

Candice walked away. On her way home, she passed by a storefront with a glass display. She glanced at it inadvertently, only to suddenly notice a shadow seemingly following them from behind.