Winston had come home from the grocery run without the bandage on his right hand. He came clean. "My hand is fine, just a little swollen and painful. The doctor advised me to take care of it and not to overexert myself."Millie glanced at him and appreciated his honesty. She had noticed the missing bandage the moment he came home with Terrence."You should drink less tonight, but remember to have fun!" Terrence clinked his glass against Winston's.Terrence made many dishes, and the aroma wafted in the air. Millie, who had talked about dieting just now, couldn't help but dig in when she was presented with a table of good food.Usually, Terrence would make a lot of food for dinner, but for some reason, dinner tonight tasted much better."Thank you for saving Millie at Harfush. She saved your life once, and now you've saved hers. I think you've gotten even!" Terrence raised his glass and took a swig.Winston shook his head. "Mr. Caldwell, I will always be indebted to Mills." With th
Millie attempted to get Winston out the door after he finished his dinner. He offered to do the dishes, only to be turned down by Julia, as the Caldwells had a dishwasher at home.After some deliberation, Winston decided to take his leave. Before leaving, he heard Terrence say, "Let's meet again next time.""Sure, Mr. Caldwell." Winston politely said goodbye to Millie's parents before leaving with Millie.She saw him to the door. He pulled his coat closer when the chilly night breeze whirred past.His driver was waiting at the entrance. Millie stole a few looks at him. The lights on the Christmas tree in the garden illuminated them.She muttered, "It must be tiring for you, isn't it?""Hm?" He turned around. "What did you say?" He didn't hear her because he had spaced out.She looked into the distance with a smile. "Isn't it tiring to win the favor of someone's parents to get what you want?"He sank into silence."I can tell your exasperation. Winston Greer, do you think it's
Millie could tell Winston was humbled. He carried a helplessness unbefitting of his young age; he hadn't even hit 30.Winston gained fame too early in life. He gave off a feeling that he was older than his actual age, like a man in his 30s or 40s, when in fact, he was just two years older than her. He was slightly more mature than her. That was all."That'll depend on your behavior." Millie had given him a chance. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have stood in the cold with him, freezing in just a thin layer of clothes.He whispered, "Will you come to my place tomorrow night?" He sounded unsure and worried about her rejection."Well, your hand is injured, and I promised your grandmother and mom to take care of you. So, I'll be there." She tilted her head playfully. A dim ray of streetlight illuminated her figure.She had no idea how seductive she appeared at the moment.He wanted to give her a hug. He didn't mind Millie crying, punching him, or venting to him. Too bad he wasn't in a
It was late when Millie finally sent Winston off. Her hands were freezing red when she got home.Julia poured her a cup of piping hot tea to warm her hands up. She lay in Julia's arms, watching some soap opera playing on the TV at night.Meanwhile, Julia munched on some fruit, occasionally dropping sarcastic remarks about the plot.Soon, Millie's body warmed up. She didn't say anything since Julia didn't ask her about her future plans with Winston.Terrence brought her a belated Christmas gift—a lovely pair of high heels. Though the gift wasn't expensive, he wanted her to always be treated like a princess.A text arrived on her phone. Winston wrote, "I'm home. Goodnight."…The next morning, Millie woke up in bed tired. She received a text on her phone from Winston. "Good morning."She arched an eyebrow in amusement. Winston acted like a teen in his first relationship with all the texting.She quickly washed up, had breakfast, and visited the hospital, where she'd meet with
"Harfush is a dangerous place. I don't wish to get into gang fights with my son around. I want to raise Hayden well," explained Enrique.Millie grew confused. "How did you get hurt in Yerwick? From the looks of it, someone had stabbed you."Did Enrique escape to Yerwick after getting into trouble in Harfush? Perhaps his enemies had chased him all the way from Harfush to Yerwick.Enrique said, "I guess the attacker looked down on people from Harfush."She smirked. Enrique came across as a shady man. At least, he wasn't as likable as Hayden.He spoke up. "How much was my hospital fee? I'll pay you back."She shook her head. "It's fine. It's fate that brought us to your son. Just see it as our gift for Hayden."Enrique flashed her a bitter smile, thinking, "These rich ladies and gentlemen from Yerwick are certainly a different breed. How could they brush off the expensive hospital fees as a mere 'gift' for Hayden?"Winston broke the silence. "Do you need any help in Yerwick?"Enr
Winston was waiting for Millie in the corridor when she came back with Hayden.As Enrique was in a weakened state, the nurse advised Winston to keep the conversation short so that the patient could rest.Millie placed the stuff she bought in Enrique's room before leaving. She saw Winston crouched on the floor, playing with Hayden. He made a remark to Hayden, making the little boy giggle. Hayden was adorable when he smiled and showed his one canine tooth.Millie caressed his head before crouching beside him. He asked Winston, "Mr. Greer, has Millie forgiven you?"Millie was taken aback by Hayden's good memory. Hayden still recalled what she had said yesterday.Winston replied with a pleading tone, "No, she hasn't. What should I do?"Hayden giggled. Sucking on a lollipop, he fished out a ring from his pocket, much to the shock of Winston and Millie. Where did that ring come from?Hayden suggested, "Give this to Millie, and she'll forgive you! When Daddy fought with Mommy, he would
Going onto one knee felt like a marriage proposal. Winston hadn't gone down on one knee before Millie, but he did go onto both knees…"That's enough," Millie interjected, which broke his heart a little.He knew it. She still refused to open her heart to him.He respected Millie's choice, but Hayden grabbed Millie's arm, pinning her to the floor. He pleaded adorably, "Please don't! Mr. Greer hasn't put the ring on your finger!""Mr. Greer and I are not husband and wife. We can't wear wedding rings," explained Millie."But he loves you, and he's trying to win your heart. Why don't you give him a chance? Did he do something unforgivable?"That was a great question. Still, she tapped him on the head and remarked, "Little boy, you're acting beyond your age, and that's not healthy!"Clutching Millie's arm, Hayden urged Winston, "Mr. Greer, go! She's ready!"Even if Millie hadn't been ready before, she must have been more than ready now. Millie was stunned by Hayden's move. He and W
Winston cherished the moment. As he slid the ring onto Millie's finger, he did it with deliberate care. The ring itself was cheap, not even one he had bought himself. But the second it rested on her finger, it felt priceless to him.The gesture only deepened Winston's resolve to win Millie back. He was determined to make things right and give her everything the world had to offer."Wow! It's official now!" Hayden cheered, jumping around as he clapped. Despite his young age, there was something undeniably mature about him.Millie smiled at Hayden, but Winston couldn't take his eyes off her. Without hesitation, Hayden grabbed Millie's hand, then reached for Winston's, placing them together. "Millie, Mr. Greer, can you two make up now?" he asked as he tilted his head.Millie sighed softly. She couldn't help but marvel at how simple a child's world was. To them, a simple gesture or a few promises were enough to fix everything.Winston looked down at their joined hands. A moment
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