"Why are you telling me this?" Millie asked, bewildered. Did Winston really believe she still cared about him? Or did he want to see her jump with joy because he had rejected Joanna?"Do you have nothing to say?" Winston asked, feeling both astonished and frustrated.Millie glanced at him sideways and retorted, "Well, what do you want me to say? Great? Wonderful?"Winston's gaze darkened right away. As he stared at Millie, he realized for the first time that he no longer knew her. She seemed like a stranger. He even wondered if she was still the Millie who had followed him around, calling him "Win". How had she become so cold? Millie behaved as though Winston meant nothing to her."Millie, are you still mad that I misunderstood you?" asked Winston.When Millie flung the evidence at him in the hospital, it was clear she had been holding a grudge all this time. "You're reading too much into it." Millie cast a quick look at him before walking out. Winston turned, his eyes follo
"Don't follow," Winston warned Selma before dragging Millie out. Selma halted in her tracks, feeling confused. Still, she believed Winston wouldn't harm Millie. It was clear they had something important to discuss. After that, she quietly peered through the window and saw Winston pressing Millie against the pillar by the entrance. Selma's eyes lit up with excitement, and she couldn't help smiling. She then returned to the couch, eagerly waiting for what would happen next.Outside, Millie frowned. Her eyes were filled with hostility as she stared warily at Winston.Meanwhile, Winston was visibly unsettled. His head hung low as he supported himself against the pillar with one hand. He had something to say. However, when faced with Millie, he felt like he was choking on his words, unsure how to start."Millie, let me repeat myself." Winston pursed his lips and gazed at Millie earnestly. "I did not accept Joanna's proposal last night."Millie's expression remained cold. She alr
Winston slowly turned his head, his eyes reddening for a brief moment. Millie's slap had landed with brutal force. As their eyes locked, all she saw in his was a chilling, piercing coldness. Winston's lips twitched, but he didn't realize that Millie's nails had worsened the scratch from the photograph."Winston Greer, do you have no shame? You're about to become Joanna's fiancé, yet you still want to touch me?" Millie questioned. She couldn't help but find it terrifying. He was toying with her and Joanna like they were mere playthings. Wasn't he trampling on their dignity? Had he ever shown them any respect at all?"Millie, our marriage is still in effect," Winston stated with a menacing smile. Millie felt shivers run down her spine as she retorted, "If you loved me, you wouldn't have gotten involved with Joanna. And if you cared about her, you wouldn't be so desperately clinging to me while I'm trying to move on!"After saying that, she chuckled wryly and added, "But of cou
That night, Millie went out to eat alone. The restaurant was quiet in the deep hours of the night. But looking down from the 20th floor, Yerwick's vibrant nightlife was on full display. She cut a small piece of steak and savored it. As she recalled what had happened with Winston earlier, she felt an unexpected sense of calm."Oh, Mr. Webson, don't you know me by now? I'm the most loyal person. If you fancy me, then I…"A woman's coquettish voice reached Millie's ears. She looked up and saw Jake with his arm around a woman. They seemed intimate as they were about to sit down. "Tsk. What a jerk! And he claims Winston's behavior doesn't reflect on him. They're the perfect example of 'birds of a feather flock together,'" Millie grumbled to herself."Mr. Webson, what makes her better than me? Surely, I'm the better choice to be the face of Webson Group?"Millie propped her head on her hand, zoning out as she listened to the woman's complaints. It became clear that she was vying for
Millie glanced up and smiled at Jake, who grinned in return. "So, can you—""Piss off!" Millie snapped.Jake was taken aback by her fierceness, yet he still begged, "Please, don't be so heartless."After finishing the last piece of meat, Millie tossed her cutlery aside, grabbed her bag, and started to leave. Jake hurriedly trailed after her. Just as she was about to settle the bill, he quickly said, "Put it on my tab."Millie cocked an eyebrow and remained indifferent to his gesture. While she made her way downstairs, Jake followed close behind. "Can you put in a good word for me with Rachel? I feel like she's got something against me."In the elevator, Jake crossed his arms. "I barely talk to her, so I'm not sure what I might have done wrong," he grumbled as he tried to make sense of the situation. Millie felt awkward telling Jake that Rachel acted that way because of his friendship with Winston. "Mr. Webson, you're so capable. How could you not land a deal with Rachel? B
At the hospital, Millie had just arrived at the consultation room when she heard Hazel's frantic voice. "Is Dr. Quinn here? Dr. Caldwell, have you seen Dr. Quinn?"Hazel was clearly in distress. Millie, looking baffled, asked, "Is something wrong?""A patient has developed sudden symptoms, and Dr. Xander can't identify what's wrong," Hazel replied frantically. With a frown, Millie put on her white coat and urged, "Take me there.""What?" Hazel looked at Millie in surprise."Let's go." Millie pulled Hazel's arm. She decided to check on the patient herself.Since Hazel couldn't find Lainey, she had no choice but to lead Millie to the ward.Millie saw the patient's family crowding the door when she arrived at the ward. She glanced outside and instructed, "Have them clear out. Why are they all blocking the entrance?"Upon seeing Millie, Vanessa explained, "The patient just underwent surgery. All the indicators were normal yesterday, but now she suddenly went into cardiac arrest.
Vanessa frowned, unable to shake her worry. However, Millie's determined shove left her with no choice but to step out.As soon as Felix saw Vanessa emerge, he immediately lost his composure. "Why are you out here too? When did that doctor start working? Is she even qualified? I'm warning you, if anything happens to my wife, I won't let any of you get away with it!"His voice was loud, and Millie caught every word.Right then, Lainey rushed over. Upon hearing the commotion, she asked, "What's the matter?""Dr. Quinn, you're finally here!" Felix gripped Lainey's arm tightly as if she were their savior. "My wife is in critical condition!""Why is everyone gathered here? Who's inside?" Lainey noticed a figure in the ward and glanced at Vanessa and Hazel.Hazel whispered, "Um… Dr. Caldwell."Lainey frowned in bewilderment. She thought this was ridiculous. How could they let Millie handle it alone?"What are the symptoms?" Lainey asked as she put on her mask.Just as she was abou
"Dr. Caldwell!"Millie was eating when Vanessa suddenly called out to her and sat across from her. She smiled and nodded at the latter. "Dr. Xander, is there something you need?""Do you have any plans after work tonight? If not, I'd like to treat you to dinner," Vanessa said, beaming with friendliness.Suddenly, Millie sensed that something was off. Vanessa had always been nice and never hostile to her. However, her friendliness today seemed over the top. "Dr. Xander, do you… need to talk about something?" asked Millie.She was certain Vanessa had something important to discuss. Otherwise, she wouldn't have invited Millie to dinner out of the blue.Vanessa felt somewhat embarrassed. She looked at Millie, pondered momentarily, and uttered, "This is a tough subject to bring up."Millie hurriedly shook her head. "It's okay. Just say whatever is on your mind.""I'll still treat you to dinner tonight," Vanessa insisted. That way, she would feel less burdened.Millie pressed her l
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