"Can anybody really help me with this?" Millie wondered.Pierce helped her into the bathroom and started to pull down her pants."No, no, you don't need to do that!" Millie said, feeling embarrassed."Your cut is on your lower stomach. Bending over will hurt. Let me help you. Besides, given what we've been through, there's no need to be shy," Pierce said with a slight smile.Even though Pierce was right—they had been through so much together, from him helping her after she lost her virginity to her assisting him with his needs—Millie still felt a deep sense of shame."If you're embarrassed, just close your eyes. Remember, you helped me when I was hurt," Pierce said gently."I… I'll do it myself," Millie said, trying to be independent despite the pain.Her face was bright red with embarrassment. Even though she kept telling Pierce to leave, he wouldn't budge. "I can't leave. What if you fall and hurt yourself?" Millie was frustrated and finally gave up.Pierce smirked as he
Millie cried for a while, and once she felt she had let it all out, she stopped."I'm sorry… I got your shirt dirty," she said, feeling embarrassed.Pierce's shirt was soaked from her tears."It's okay. It's good to cry. It's all in the past now," Pierce said gently.He wiped her face, which was streaked with tears."Are you hungry? I'll get you something to eat," he offered.As Pierce was about to leave, his phone rang. It was a video call from his grandfather. Pierce answered, and Bill's face appeared on the screen."I don't want to see you. I want to see my granddaughter-in-law," Bill said right away.Pierce sighed and turned the camera to Millie."Grandpa," Millie said softly, trying to sound cheerful.Bill saw her red, swollen eyes and looked worried. "Millie, what happened? Did Pierce do something to you? Your eyes are so puffy.""No, it's not like that," Millie replied quickly. "I just twisted my ankle. Pierce didn't do anything." She avoided mentioning her surgery
Pierce had always been cool and distant, but he looked even more reserved in his new traditional outfit.The outfit featured a subtle pattern with metal clasps, giving him the refined look of a stylish gentleman from the early 1900s."Who picked this outfit for you?" Millie asked, curious."I asked Tobias for advice. He said that if we wear matching outfits, Grandpa will think our relationship is strong," Pierce explained with a small smile."That's a good idea. I'll go change," Millie said.When she came out in her refined outfit, it made her look like she belonged to a bygone era. Her white shirt had a delicate pattern and tassels at the sleeves, paired with a gold pendant that perfectly complemented her look. Her hair was simply yet elegantly pinned up with a white hairpin.Pierce couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked stunning, like someone straight out of a painting."Do I look good?" she asked."You look great," he said with admiration.Then, he pulled her into a hug
Tobias was driving and was about to go when suddenly, a little boy ran across the street, ignoring the red light.Tobias quickly turned the steering wheel, barely avoiding an accident.The sudden move caused Millie to fall into Pierce's arms, her hand pressing against his side. They were so close that she heard him let out a soft groan.Realizing something might be wrong, Millie steadied herself and lifted his shirt, revealing a big bruise on his side and back, with more under his waistband.Without thinking, she started to pull his clothes down further to see the injury."Maybe wait until Tobias isn't here to take off my clothes," Pierce joked."Millie…I'm still here, you know," Tobias said, sounding surprised.His words made the situation even more awkward, like dropping a bomb into the conversation."No, no, you've got it all wrong! He hurt his waist, and I was just checking the injury," Millie explained, trying to clear things up.Pierce grinned, clearly enjoying this. "I
Bill looked serious. "Let me ask you, does Millie despise you?"Pierce sighed and rubbed his forehead. He couldn't understand why Bill thought he was so inadequate. Was it just because he slept in and made Millie get up early?"No," Pierce said quietly. Admitting he wasn't up to par was really uncomfortable.Bill shook his head. "Millie is a great person. What woman would put up with that?""Grandpa, can we talk about something else? Millie is waiting outside," Pierce said, trying to change the subject."Alright, alright," Bill said, backing off. "But you need to take good care of Millie. She's the only granddaughter-in-law I approve of. I just learned her ex was Stefan, and you should know I've had issues with Stefan's grandmother for years."Stefan's grandmother chose Millie as her granddaughter-in-law, and now that Millie's mine, even in death Stefan's grandma won't rest easy. It's a big win for me, you hear me? Treat Millie well. If you lose her, you'll regret it.""I unders
Pierce's voice was deep and rough, kind of like a really smooth cello.Millie snapped out of her thoughts. "I just... like the design. That's all," she said quickly, flipping to the next page."I'm a bit tired," Pierce said, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning heavily on her back. "Let me rest on you for a bit." He really did fall asleep right there.Millie didn't move at all. Pierce felt like he was holding a huge, comfy pillow. As time went by, Millie's back started to ache, and her waist was sore, but she stayed still.Pierce, half-asleep, thought it was funny how different she was now. She used to be so bold and daring, but now she was as gentle and still as a kitten."Are you tired?" Pierce asked, sounding lazy.Millie looked surprised. "You're awake?""Yeah," he said, stretching a bit.Pierce noticed her red ears and joked, "They're so red! They look like cherries. I'm tempted to bite them."Millie felt awkward. It seemed like Pierce was always teasing her.
Millie hadn't told Stefan she was in the hospital, so she had no idea how he found out. He was here, accusing her of trying to get his attention on purpose.She knew Stefan had a big ego, but this was just ridiculous.Just as Millie was about to respond, Agnes came running out, clearly frustrated. "What are you talking about? She's not here to impress you. I'm the one who asked her to come keep me company!""Grandma, are you still trying to change my mind?" Stefan asked."I've decided I won't stop you anymore. Go ahead and be with Wanda if you want. The more I try to intervene, the more determined you seem. But let's see if she'll stick around when you have nothing left," Agnes said, rolling her eyes and grabbing Millie's hand."Wanda will. She loves me," Stefan replied, confident as ever."Millie, what did you do to make him think you're still into him?" Agnes asked, sounding frustrated.Millie looked confused. "Mrs. Leach Senior, I didn't do anything."Agnes sighed, "I believ
Stefan felt utterly humiliated as if he had lost all his pride and self-respect."Are you really so upset that she married me? Did you want her to be so obsessed with you that she'd do anything to get your attention? You sit there acting like you're so noble, saying you only love Wanda. How noble of you to be so faithful."Stefan, if you've moved on and want to be with Wanda, then just accept it. Don't act like you're being treated unfairly," Pierce said. "Who are you saying is unfair?""I'm talking about you. If you don't believe me, let's settle this with a fight. I'll prove you're wrong."Pierce, who was nearly six feet three inches tall with a strong, muscular build, wasn't just tough from working out. His strength came from real-life struggles and challenges.Stefan wouldn't stand a chance against him."From now on, stay away from her," Pierce warned before taking Millie and leaving.Stefan clenched his fists, watching them leave, feeling like he'd been made a fool of."