"Mr. Greer, you're always so dependable, aren't you?" Millie remarked with a wry smile.She had completely forgotten about the private jet. Even Terrence had mentioned buying plane tickets to fly over."I was really worried about you," Winston replied simply. That was exactly why he had flown to Harfush in a private jet.He glanced at her through the rearview mirror and added, "I want you to be able to count on me more in the future. Millie, just take your time to accept me. Don't push me away."Tired, Millie leaned back in her seat. Her eyelashes fluttered as she checked her phone. Then, she hummed dismissively in response.Winston felt helpless, but he decided to be patient. After all, Millie had her own views. He was the one who had let her down in the first place.He wished he could turn back time to their high school days; he would have chosen her without hesitation. Or even to the day he was kidnapped—he would have gladly sacrificed himself to keep her safe.…By the time
Millie looked down and clutched her shirt. The hole in the fabric served as a reminder of everything that had just happened in Harfush. Her gaze drifted downward to her feet; even her shoes and pants were filthy. It was late, and she still hadn't returned home. She was certain Terrence must be waiting for her in the living room. If he saw her like this, he would definitely worry. After all, he was a man of status.With a sigh, Millie resigned herself to Winston's suggestion."Thank you, Mr. Greer, and I'm sorry for the trouble," she said with a gentle smile.Yet those words made Winston's heart sink, leaving him feeling disappointed. He turned to look out the window, and the conversation came to an abrupt end.Millie knew he disliked her formal address. Still, the words sometimes slipped out.…By the time they arrived at the Greer residence, it was already 3:30 am. Winston opened the door, and the lights blazed to life. He then offered Millie a pair of indoor slippers, which
Jake felt groggy when Winston called, still half-asleep."Win, are you kidding me? It's the middle of the night! You're keeping me awake. I'm so tired. Just let me sleep."Winston glared at the figure on his phone screen, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Did you hear what I said?""What?" Jake blinked. The glow of his phone was the only light in the dark room, illuminating his face."I said, Millie is here with me," Winston replied through gritted teeth.Jake's mind sharpened at the mention of her name. He rolled over and asked, "What? How did she end up at your place? What time is it?""I went to Harfush to find her," Winston answered, pursing his lips.Jake was wide awake now. "Seriously? You actually went to Harfush?""Yes, and I also dealt with Colin Dalton," Winston replied while looking at Jake. With a click, the lights in Jake's room flicked on."You're crazy! How could you cross Colin?" Jake's eyes widened in shock."I broke his limbs," Winston stated nonchalantly.
Winston groaned, breathing heavily.Millie felt his palm behind her head. She gripped the towel and asked anxiously, "Are you okay?""I'm fine," he said, his voice steady despite his slightly uneven breathing.The room was enveloped in darkness, the closed curtains blocking any hint of moonlight from streaming through the window. Winston attempted to shift his hand, only to brush against her skin, causing a few drops of water to gather on his fingertips. At that moment, Millie froze, afraid to make a sound. His warm breath brushed her neck, intensifying the ambiguous atmosphere between them. Millie often thought that she would just take control and sleep with him if he didn't love her. She was convinced she could entice him with her body if she couldn't win him over through his heart. Yet, after all these years, she had achieved nothing. Unexpectedly, it was only after the divorce that he realized his feelings for her. All she needed to do was mention that she had saved him
Millie covered herself with the quilt, feeling embarrassed. Winston noticed her discomfort and looked away."Aren't you going to ask when the power will be restored? Can I still leave?" Millie asked gently.Winston took the phone in a panic, having forgotten about the situation until she mentioned it. His heart raced. He called the villa's butler, who quickly apologized. "Mr. Greer, I'm sorry for the disturbance. The cables near the villa were damaged, and we're currently repairing them." "Does that mean the power won't be restored tonight?" Winston asked, frowning as he turned to look at Millie.The butler explained humbly, "Yes, Mr. Greer. Unfortunately, the circuit is not only broken but the road is also blocked, and the cable is down. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. We'll do our best to fix it before tomorrow morning."Winston pursed his lips. It didn't bother him much. He could just go to sleep. But Millie…"Okay. Got it." Winston ended the call and turned hi
Winston chose a warmer outfit for Millie. His voice was soft and calm in the quiet night. "I'll be waiting for you outside. Take your time and come out once you're dressed."Millie watched him leave, then closed the door. The room was silent except for her breathing. She held her phone and quickly changed her clothes. Winston's phone remained on the bedside table. Before leaving, she tidied the quilt and wiped up the water on the floor.As she stepped out of the room, she found Winston leaning against the wall. He was tall and slender. With his head bowed, he was lost in thought. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, but he seemed profoundly tired.Millie looked at him in the dark corridor, with only the phone's flashlight lighting up their figures.Winston glanced at Millie. Her hair was still wet, but her clothes fit her nicely. Although the clothes arrived in batches, he wasn't sure when she would wear them. Now that she was, he didn't feel happy. He felt like he was forcing h
The wet hair clung to Millie's neck and instantly froze. She instinctively stepped back.Winston looked outside at the fiercely howling wind.They had to leave the narrow path and venture onto the main road to catch a bus. The thought of that dimly lit road made Millie's heart race with unease.Winston had changed his shoes when Millie said, "Forget it."He glanced up as Millie walked into the living room, declaring, "I was meant to stay."If she insisted on leaving, something bad could happen. No one could predict how severe the weather might get.Winston lingered at the door in a daze, lost in thought. Millie pointed the flashlight in his direction. She was puzzled. "Why are you just standing there?"He closed the door and asked, "What about Mr. Caldwell?"Millie replied, "I'll explain to him."She sat on the couch and sighed. The phone screen lit up her face as she texted Terrence to explain. "Dad, something unexpected happened tonight. I'll fill you in on all the details t
"Never," Winston answered honestly."Where have you ever taken her before?" For instance, Harfush, a place she hadn't noticed before. She was very curious about how they dated for three years."I only ran into her in Harfush. I've never traveled anywhere with her." Winston even raised his hand as if to swear to this.Millie was baffled. "In those three years, you…""Nothing happened between us in those three years." He only spent some money and time."Joanna has been sent to a psychiatric hospital by you. What will you do next?" This was what Millie was mostly concerned about.Winston chuckled. "I'm keeping her alive for Logan's sake. Millie, I won't let her die. I'm going to make her endure the same pain you have experienced."This was his plan.Millie stopped asking questions. She had nothing more she was curious about."Then let me ask you a few questions." Winston looked at her intensely.Millie shrugged, gesturing for him to proceed."Since our divorce, have any of the
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