Millie's eyebrows shot up in amusement. "I'm free."Surprised at her quick agreement, Simon said, "Cool. I'll pick you up when you're done with work.""Okay," she replied before hanging up.…It was a bright, sunny day. Upon arriving at the cardiac surgery department, she ran into Hazel. Hazel informed her, "Dr. Caldwell, Dr. Quinn wants you at the meeting room when you're here.""Alrighty." Millie nodded and put on her doctor's coat before heading to the meeting room.She casually tied her hair up with a hair claw. Putting her hands in her pockets, she waltzed down the corridor, attracting everyone's attention. There was something different about her that day."I heard Dr. Caldwell isn't a loser. Have you heard about that?""Of course she isn't. Don't you know what she's capable of after all the time she spent in cardiac surgery?""Yeah. Didn't she save a patient who coded last time?""Gosh, she can't be an actual loser since she comes from a medical family. Alright now. Let
Joanna immediately shook her head. "No, Mom! Winston is the only man I'll marry!"She vowed to marry no other man but Winston. No matter what it'd take, she wanted to win his heart and marry him."Knock yourself out." Harriet scoffed and grabbed her bag. "I'm busy today, so I'll get going. If you have any cravings, just tell the family maid about them. She'll cook the food and deliver it for you."With that, Harrier left.Joanna stared at her mom with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. The Lowells were nice to her, but sometimes, like now, she struggled to feel love from her family.After all her setbacks, Harriet offered her some shallow words of comfort before leaving her. Was this how the rich treated their family? Were the other wealthy families the same?Harriet let out a deep sigh after leaving Joanna's room. Sometimes, she didn't know what to do with Joanna.Things would've been easier if Joanna had fallen for an ordinary man, as the Lowells would've pressured t
Millie and Simon sat in the last row of the theater. Next to them sat a couple in their honeymoon phase."I know of an awesome rooftop restaurant. Shall we have dinner there?" Simon leaned closer to ask for Millie's opinion.She nodded. "Of course."Smiling, he remarked, "Great."She looked at Simon. He was so good to her, yet he didn't make her heart flutter. Would it be inappropriate to lead him on?Sighing, she tried to clear her mind and enjoy the movie. Halfway through, the atmosphere in the theater changed as the scenes became progressively steamy.To her surprise, she overheard the couple beside her kissing. Biting her lips, she stole a glance to her right. As expected, the young couple were engaged in a deep, passionate kiss.Millie quietly popped a popcorn into her mouth and turned her attention to the screen. At that moment, she realized that the couple seated to the far right was making out as well.She fell silent. At this moment, her excellent vision became a nuisa
Simon handed Millie the menu and chatted with the waiter. "How romantic! The couple has great taste in the venue.""Right? Did you know that the girlfriend would propose to the boyfriend?" The waitress shared the gossip with Simon with a straight face.Simon gasped, "Is the woman proposing? That's really brave of her!"Millie looked up at the waitress when she overheard the detail. Ah, a woman proposing to her boyfriend, which wasn't a big deal in the modern era where women bravely went after the loves of their lives.In the modern dating landscape, couples navigated relationships with open minds. If the relationship worked out, that was for the best. If not, there was no point sighing and obsessing over it. After Millie put in her order, it was Simon's turn. He returned the menu to the waitress. "I'll get the same dish."Then, he added softly, "Thanks."All the while, Millie observed Simon keenly. He was nice to everyone, including the staff who waited on him.She lowered h
"Millie, you don't have to force yourself," Simon whispered gruffly.She smiled. "I'm not."However, she was surprised at the coincidence. How did she run into her ex-best friend proposing to her ex-husband at the same restaurant?The vlog came to an end. Joanna laughed and cried at the scenes. In contrast, Winston frowned without much expression.When he turned, Joanna was waiting for him with a bouquet in her arm and a ring box. Was this the reason Joanna insisted on leaving the hospital and bringing him to the restaurant?Behind Joanna stood a few of her friends. Winston had met them before, and they left quite the impression because their faces were oddly similar due to plastic surgery.He tore his gaze from Joanna's friends, only to see Joanna teary-eyed. "Win."As she was still in poor health, she could barely speak above a whisper. Her feeble voice would break anyone's heart.She began, "I never regretted my sacrifices for you. I wanted the whole world to know that I lov
A waitress accidentally spilled red wine onto Millie's shirt.Millie rose from her seat and cleaned her shirt stains, assuring the waitress, "It's fine. No worries."As if worried she might attract attention, she whispered to the waitress, "Please leave my side. I'm really fine. Thank you."After that, she looked in Winston's direction, just in time to meet his forlorn eyes.She froze while holding her shirt. She had no idea what to do with her free hand. She had wanted to watch the proposal from a corner, but he seemed to have caught her."Simon, let's leave," she called out to Simon and grabbed her bag.Simon nodded because he understood her reasons.Winston couldn't stop himself from going after Millie. Seeing that, Joanna quickly held him back. She stared at him and bit her lips. "Win, what was that? Do you care what Millie thinks?"He finally peeled his eyes off Millie. Joanna looked upset. "What exactly do you think? It's time to give me an answer."Jo, I'll—" Winston pa
"Joanna, before this, I would have given you my blessing if you were truly in love with each other. But—" Gloria extended her arm, gesturing at her bodyguard to get her the newspapers.News about Joanna had made headlines, filling up the entire front page. There were reports about her falsified qualifications and the termination of her employment at Bifrost Hospital.Joanna's expression crumpled when she saw the news. Her worst nightmare had come true. She proposed to Winston hastily, hoping to seal the deal before the news reached the Greers, but it was too late."Just look at you. How can we accept you into our family? You'll only bring disgrace to us." Gloria tossed the newspaper at her without hesitation.Joanna stumbled a few steps backward. Her heart shattered when she saw the newspaper that had fallen onto the ground."Ms. Lowell, the Greers are not an ordinary family. We do not simply approve of any woman who dreams of marrying our son. I'll stay out of your business if yo
Millie didn't want to hurt Simon. "I'm happy to be your friend, but if you're hoping for more than that, I'm afraid…"Simon was a great man, and she felt unworthy of him.He had seen this coming because Millie had looked troubled after the movies."This is my first time pursuing a woman," Simon said helplessly. "Maybe I didn't do it right.""You're great," she immediately said while shaking her head.He smiled. He seemed to take the rejection calmly. To him, feelings couldn't be forced. Knowing Millie, she couldn't open her heart to a new man right away after experiencing a failed marriage.Although he really wanted to stay by her side for a little longer, she didn't seem to need his company. If so, he wouldn't impose himself on her."How about just friends?" he asked.She quickly nodded. "It's my pleasure to befriend someone like you."He chuckled and lowered his head. Adjusting his glasses, he seemed to have a lot to say, but he ended up saying nothing at all.The night bre
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