Winston whispered, "Let go.""No." With red-rimmed eyes, Joanna shook her head, invoking a sense of sympathy.Millie frowned at seeing Joanna's hands firmly gripping Winston's waist. Then, she feigned indifference and said, "I've checked in on Grandma. Everything's fine. Now that I've delivered the message, I'll be heading back to work."Having said that, Millie turned back."Millie," Winston instinctively called out.She turned to look at him, but her gaze inevitably fell on Joanna. Millie hummed and calmly said, "Go ahead."Winston frowned as their eyes locked. After a brief silence, he said, "Let's talk after you clock out."She looked into his eyes. His gaze held a multitude of thoughts tinged with doubt and resentment. She felt as though she was beginning to grasp something. Millie averted her gaze and lightly nodded. "Okay."Millie figured she would have to shoulder the blame again. She chuckled wryly, releasing a quiet sigh.Winston observed as she walked away. Then,
Winston frowned and immediately called Eli. With the phone pressed to his ear, he reached into the car and fumbled for a cigarette.However, Eli didn't answer. Winston's forehead creased even more. He hung up and sent a question mark to Eli. Winston had just lit his cigarette when he spotted Millie walking out of the hospital with a few colleagues. As she raised her head, their eyes met. Winston took a drag before tossing the cigarette into a nearby trash can. Then, he patted down his clothes, as if trying to get rid of the smoke odor. Millie stood in front of him, watching as he retrieved water from the car. Winston took a sip, then said coldly, "Get in the car.""What is it? Why not talk here instead? I need to visit Grandma soon." Millie showed no intention of following his order.Winston glanced around. It was rush hour, so the place was crowded. Besides, they were already the talk of the town. Was it appropriate to discuss things there? Seeing his hesitation, Millie spo
At a café, Millie massaged her wrists while gazing at the night sky, trying to spot the moon. Joanna sat across from her as she quietly observed her indifferently.Millie glanced around and was surprised to find the place completely empty."I've booked the entire place," Joanna lightly stated. Her remark caused Millie to raise her head. Booked the entire café? They could just talk. Why did Joanna have to go to such lengths? After all, money didn't grow on trees."We're in the midst of a scandal now. If anyone takes pictures of the mistress and the wife meeting, it'll surely cause quite a stir," Joanna commented before taking a sip of her coffee.Millie couldn't help but size up the woman before her. The most striking feature of the Lowells was their noses. The women of the family had dainty, refined noses, while the men boasted prominent ones.However, Joanna's nose was nothing like theirs. In fact, her entire appearance didn't quite match the family's usual characteristics.Ti
"Joanna, the reason I've come to talk to you isn't about Winston." Millie set down her coffee cup and looked at Joanna. "I want to talk about Grandma.""What's there to talk about with that old lady?" Joanna detested Selma.Millie frowned, looking displeased. "Grandma has always valued her reputation. You're well aware of the Greer family's status in Yerwick, aren't you? Do you realize the trouble you could bring them by leaking such news?"Yet, Joanna was unconcerned about these matters. She was willing to do anything as long as she could marry and have Winston."If you want to marry Winston and become part of the Greers, I suggest you show a bit more respect to Grandma," Millie reminded her.Joanna sneered. Upon hearing those words, she couldn't help but think of all the things Millie had done for the Greer family. "Millie, do you think I'd stoop to being the Greers' lackey like you just to marry Winston?" Joanna asked, her words dripping with sarcasm. Millie was at a loss f
The car jerked to a halt, and Joanna gasped for breath, her face turning pale."Get out," Winston ordered icily as his gaze swept over Joanna.Joanna bit her lip. "Win, I know I was wrong.""I said, get out!" He cast another cold glance at her. Though they were just a few simple words, they were impossible to defy.Tears welled up in Joanna's eyes as she asked, "This is the highway. Are you going to leave me here?""Ms. Lowell, aren't you extremely capable? How could a mere highway be too much for you?" Winston narrowed his eyes. He added, "Remember this, Joanna. You can use me and bring trouble to my family. But if anything happens to Grandma, I won't forgive you, even if you saved my life." While speaking, Winston pointed at Joanna. It was the first time he had spoken to her so gravely.Joanna felt like she had been slapped in the face. "Is Mrs. Greer Senior really that important?""What do you think?" Winston countered with a frown. "Joanna, if you don't respect Grandma,
The raindrops drummed against the window, their rhythmic patter a source of annoyance."I'll be right back," Winston said as he rose. He then grabbed his coat and walked out."You've only been here for a few minutes, and now you're leaving again," Brian chided.…At the entrance of the inpatient department building, Millie watched the torrential rainfall and let out a sigh of resignation. Despite hurrying out, the rain continued to intensify."How come it's been raining so much in Yerwick lately?""As if the rain isn't enough, there's always thunder and lightning too. It's so scary," the on-duty nurse nearby grumbled.Millie looked up at the sky and massaged her shoulders. Suddenly, a lightning bolt illuminated the sky, causing Millie to close her eyes reflexively. Soon after, thunder rumbled.Millie wanted to overcome her fear. Yet, she still retreated and trembled involuntarily. She inhaled sharply before opening her eyes. Then, she covered her head with her hands and dashe
Over the past three years, Winston had chosen Joanna over Millie countless times. Initially, Millie would remind him, "I'm your wife. You should care about me".But now, she merely said, "Joanna is looking for you."With that in mind, Winston abruptly turned the car around.Millie looked at him and asked, "Where are we going?""Back to the villa," Winston replied, his voice laden with an inexplicable stubbornness. "Winston, take me home," Millie ordered firmly. Yet, he responded in a cold voice, "Stay at my place tonight.""Do you want to take me home, or should I jump out of the car?" Millie shot him an icy glare. Her eyes were full of threat without a hint of hesitation.Winston turned toward her. The seriousness in Millie's gaze made it seem like she was ready to jump out of the car at any moment.There was no turning back. They shouldn't keep getting involved like this. Millie's next step was to keep her distance from him.The car slowed down, and finally, it stopped by
Winston got out of the car and locked eyes with Millie. She casually shook the ID card, proof of residency, and marriage certificate in her hand.Winston pressed his lips together. Clad in a black suit, he looked polished and dignified. However, his eyes lacked their usual sparkle. Instead, they showed signs of fatigue and a hint of redness.He said slowly, "You—""Let's go," Millie cut him off. She strode purposefully ahead and showed no signs of hesitation. Winston frowned in response, his thoughts in turmoil. He walked slowly while Millie consistently led the way.Her demeanor mirrored the day they got married. She was happy yet anxious. In fact, she was afraid he might regret it. However, Winston's feelings were different from those he had during their marriage registration.Back then, he had been unwilling and remained uncooperative throughout. His expression in the wedding photos was particularly grim. It was evident that he had been forced into it.Now, Winston was fin
While in the hospital, Millie rubbed her arms to keep warm. Then, the person on the bed woke up.Millie turned her head and looked at the person on the hospital bed. Winston's eyes were dull and showed signs of exhaustion. Their eyes met, and neither of them said a word.The nurse entered and saw that Winston was awake, so she patiently asked about his condition.He just kept looking at Millie without saying anything.Millie glanced at the nurse, signaling that she could continue with her work. Winston seemed fine now."You're not allowed to drink anymore," Millie said, her voice calm and indifferent.He closed his eyes, turned his head away, and didn't look at her again.Millie frowned and asked, "What do you mean by turning your head?"Winston remained silent, unable to speak because of the tightness in his throat.Millie poured a glass of water and asked him, "Would you like some water?"He still remained silent.Millie grew impatient and said, "Then I'll call Eli to take
Other than that word, Everly couldn't hear anything else."Dad, I can't hear what you're saying at all." Everly was becoming frustrated.Thomas exclaimed, "I said, Mills!""Yes, you're talking about Mills. And then? What about her?" Everly was extremely confused.She picked up her phone to check the time—it was already 3:00 am.She was about to lose it. From New Year's Eve till now, she did nothing but take care of Thomas."Dad, why don't we just go to sleep?" Everly didn't want to listen anymore.Whatever it was, she would be nice to Millie and not go up against her.She didn't like Millie before, but that was simply because she disliked how obsessed Millie was with romantic relationships."Oh! Ah!" Thomas suddenly started grumbling as he threw back the blanket. "Why can't you understand?"He was getting agitated.Everly was also getting extremely agitated. What exactly did she need to understand?He wasn't even speaking loud enough."I mean your sister! Millie!" Thomas s
Everly, feeling exasperated, helped Thomas off the couch and took him to the bathroom.Thomas lifted his head. His face was flushed, and his eyes dazed over. "My daughter, my daughter, I didn't throw up…"Everly looked at the mess on the ground and felt a headache coming on. Thomas had already thrown up, yet he still claimed he hadn't."You're drinking so much even though you can't handle it!" Everly shouted."What are you saying? It's like you're saying, saying, saying… ugh!" Thomas immediately leaned over the toilet, unable to finish his sentence. It was like he was speaking in tongue twisters, and no one could understand him.Everly sighed. She twitched her nose and turned to go outside to wait for him.Ten minutes went by, and Everly had finished tidying up the house. There was no sound coming from the washroom where Thomas was.Everly furrowed her brows and called out, "Dad?"Fine. It seemed like he was going to end up sleeping on the toilet.Everly walked over and, as ex
"I'll go get your medicine for you. Wait a moment." Millie intended to get the medicine from the bedside table.But then, Winston grabbed her arm. His palms were sweaty, and when he held her hand, it felt so hot it was as if he might burn her.Millie looked down at him.Winston looked up at her face, worried that if he let go, she might disappear.However, he knew very well that Millie wanted to leave, and he couldn't stop her."Millie, do you really have to give up on me?" Winston asked again, seeming determined to get an answer.Millie furrowed her brows, breathing heavily."Do you have to?" He looked at her. "Hmm?"Millie felt her heart tighten, and she just couldn't bring herself to say, "I have to let you go.""Winston," she called to him.Winston had no more strength left in him, as if he couldn't wait any longer to hear those words from her.He suddenly bent over and fell to the ground.Millie paused for a moment, then she quickly crouched down. "Winston?"She immed
Millie tightened her grip on the doorknob and turned to look at Winston.He stood next to the coffee table, his hands dangling awkwardly at his sides. The expression on his face seemed profoundly sorrowful. Although they were close, it felt as if a huge ocean stood between them when he looked at her, making it impossible for him to bridge the gap.Winston made a slight groaning sound, licking his lips and breathing heavily. His body was also swaying a bit. His stomach felt extremely uncomfortable, churning violently as if he might throw up at any moment.What bothered him even more was the comment Millie had just made.She said, "Let's end this."End it? But how would they just end it? Then were her seven years over just like that? Did his guilt and regret count for anything?She could move on from him, love someone else, and marry them. But what about him? He could never forgive himself for the rest of his life…Could they just end it?"Millie. Tell me, how are we supposed to
"Listen." Millie bit her lip but finally mustered up the courage to speak. "Let's end this between us."During those years with him, she caused her family a lot of worry and concern. She no longer wanted her family to worry about her.Or perhaps, she had become scared. She didn't want to gamble with her feelings anymore."Winston, I admit defeat. I don't have the courage to go through this with you again." Millie's voice was choked with emotion as she struggled to hold back her sadness while saying this.Winston instinctively reached for her hand."Millie, you promised me. You said you'd give me a chance. Why?" His eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, and his voice was so hoarse it seemed like he could barely speak."There's no reason. The new year has begun, and I hope you get better. Don't come looking for me anymore." Millie pulled away from Winston's hand, turned around, and got ready to leave.He suddenly hugged Millie tightly and said, "Don't…"Winston's voice seemed to pierce
Millie opened the car door and pushed Winston inside the car.Winston fastened his seatbelt in the dark by himself.Millie got into the car and saw him sitting there quietly, which made her smile and sigh.Millie drove at a moderate speed. The road was busy, with many people out to watch fireworks, while others were heading home.Winston looked to the driver's side, his gaze fixed on Millie.Millie could sense that he was watching her, but she kept avoiding eye contact. Her mind was preoccupied with the messages her dad had sent.Let him go… The question was, could she give up on him?Millie furrowed her brow and rested her hand on her forehead, deep in thought."Did I make you hate me…?" Winston's raspy voice suddenly sounded next to her ear.Millie looked over at him with confusion."Does my drinking make you hate me?" he asked again, just like a child afraid of upsetting Millie."No." Millie shook her head.Despite having drunk too much, he still made an effort to pay at
After the video call ended, Millie placed her phone on the table.Thomas said to Millie, "Hahaha! Mills, look, he can't handle his drink!"Having been the son-in-law of the Caldwell family for three years, I only just found out that he can't hold his liquor."Millie gave a wry smile. This statement seemed to be a double-edged sword. For three years, he hadn't visited the Caldwell family even once. Winston was truly ruthless at that time.Winston quickly explained to Millie, "Millie, I haven't had too much. I can still drink, honestly."His face was completely flushed, and it was clear that his speech was slurred.The two of them had already finished a bottle of vodka.Thomas was even ready to switch to a different type of alcohol.Thomas had spent many years away from home and was quite a heavy drinker. His drinking ability was different from that of Winston.Winston could ask Eli to drink on his behalf if he didn't want to, but if Thomas was trying to win resources for Rach
At the dining table, Thomas and Winston started drinking vodka.The TV was showing this year's New Year Gala while Millie was quietly eating pierogi.She hadn't had homemade pierogi for three years, and they tasted so good. It felt like being back in her childhood, celebrating the New Year with her family. That was what made the festival truly special.Millie looked at her grandparents with a constant smile on her face. She felt happier than she had ever been before.She wished her parents were here too. Oh, those two…Just as she was thinking about this, her phone rang. It was Terrence calling.Millie answered the call without saying a word and pointed the camera toward Thomas.This year, Thomas had no one to drink with, so he turned to Winston for company.Terrence was lounging in the sun when he caught sight of Winston. His eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately set down his juice."Who is that? Am I seeing this right?" Terrence sat up straight, his voice filled with