"Everyone knows Winston was in love with Joanna, right? Honestly, in those three years of marriage, I didn't gain a thing—except for the title of Mrs. Greer," Millie said.But even that title had always felt hollow. There were still plenty of people who didn't even realize she was Winston's wife. Many assumed Joanna was the real Mrs. Greer, giving her all the respect instead."Marriage is supposed to be about two people. No matter how hard one person tries, it's pointless if the other doesn't care. Since he was so wrapped up in Joanna, all I can do is let go and wish them well."Millie didn't say anything bad about Joanna or Winston. The fact that they had separated spoke for itself.If she really wanted to play the victim, she could have easily laid it all out. She could have told them about how Joanna had tormented her for three years, or how Winston had always taken Joanna's side, turning her life into a living nightmare that finally led to their divorce."Is it because you don
"The most outrageous part is that my mother-in-law actually told my husband that if I can't give him a son, he should find someone else to have his baby!" Ruth exclaimed.Millie was stunned yet again.Ruth continued, "We're not even wealthy, just a regular middle-class family. But the pressure on me is unbearable. Let me give you unmarried ladies a piece of advice."When picking a man, you need to make sure his family is as good as him. If they're anything like my in-laws, don't marry into that family, even if they're worth millions. It's nothing but misery. My husband and I used to be so in love, but now…"Ruth sighed heavily, weighed down by her frustration. "What do you think marriage is?" she asked.The once lively room fell into silence as Ruth's story came to a close.Millie kept her head down. She didn't know what marriage was either.Was marriage what her parents had—leaning on each other through thick and thin? Was it the picture-perfect devotion one saw on TV? Was it
The moment Millie sat down, a text from Winston popped up on her screen.Winston: "I was learning to cook and felt an uncomfortable itch in my ear."Millie was both amused and puzzled by the meaning behind his words.Winston sent another message. "It seems like someone is badmouthing me behind my back."With a faint smile, Millie responded to his text message. "I was the one who scolded you at the class reunion."Winston: "Probably I have an infection."Millie grinned. "You really think I'm so nice that I wouldn't criticize you in front of my classmates?"Winston: "Tsk. What a heartless woman."Even though Millie couldn't see Winston's face, his tone left her feeling wronged. She didn't respond to his message, so he sent another.Winston: "Did someone in university who had a crush on you become successful?"Millie frowned as she glanced around, only to realize that there was no one fitting that description.Winston: "You can bring him to see me."Millie chuckled. There was
"You'll feel the same sacrifice Mills makes for this family. Just think about preparing a meal and waiting for someone who doesn't arrive."Winston furrowed his brow in confusion as he gazed at Gloria. It was clear that she was not on his side at all. At that moment, she seemed more like Millie's mother than his own."Got it," he replied.Gloria chuckled. "Come, let me show you how."Learning by following a recipe could be very slow. While Winston might be skilled at work, he was just as inexperienced in life as a child.When Millie and Winston were in a relationship, she wholeheartedly supported it because they complemented each other beautifully. Millie could take care of Winston, while Winston provided recognition for Millie's efforts. She genuinely believed it was a perfect match. However, Gloria didn't realize that this relationship was unfair to Millie, leading her to suffer at home and with Winston."Win, your relationship with Millie seems stable now. Don't do anything
"Will you join us in celebrating Groundhog Day this year?" Gloria inquired.Winston frowned. "When have I ever failed to spend the occasion with you?""Not at all in recent years. You and Joanna have been enjoying each other's company," Gloria replied sarcastically.Winston was at a loss for words."Even though you weren't with us to celebrate the holidays, Millie joined us at our home every year. She kind of represented you."Winston was surprised, realizing that he was unaware Millie spent the holiday with the Greers.Every Eve of Groundhog Day, Millie headed to the Greer residence to celebrate the occasion with the Greers. In her first year of this tradition, she mistakenly believed that Winston would return home. Thus, she waited for him all night after spending the evening at the Greer residence. Yet, she was only to be disappointed when he never showed up. By the second year, having realized that Winston was unlikely to come home, she made the decision to stay with the
"I'll go pick you up later," Winston said suddenly.Gloria was shocked that Winston actually wanted to pick her up. "I can't help but question if I misheard the words. You're coming to pick me up?"Winston was speechless.She burst out laughing. "I'll contact you again."After that, she left, gently shutting the door behind her.Once again, Winston was at a loss for words.…At the restaurant, Millie nearly finished her meal while others chatted. Some of them had drunk too much. It was uncertain whether they could go for a second round later.It was dark outside, and many friends shared their year-in-review posts on Twitter. Everyone was looking forward to the New Year.Terrence also reached out to Millie via text, inquiring whether she would be heading home today.Millie: "Where else would I go if not home? I'm currently at a class reunion and will head back later."Terrence: "This party is for all you young folks. Enjoy yourselves! If you need anything, just give me a call
Millie smiled, dismissing any interest in him. She firmly declined despite an initially positive impression when he first entered the private room. "I’m sorry, but it's not convenient."His expression soured, and he sneered. "We're classmates. Do you really want to refuse my request on Instagram? Is it only the wealthy who get to add you?"Millie examined his face. It was pretty attractive, but why did he appear so off-putting?"Of course. I only befriend the wealthy," Millie replied with a sarcastic smile, hoping he was satisfied with her answer.He tightened his fist, feeling angry. "Only the rich? You can marry Winston, who ignores you, but you can't even add me on Instagram as a classmate?"Millie chuckled. These people always targeted others' weaknesses to hurt them. They knew her vulnerabilities and what bothered her most. Thankfully, she didn't add him on Instagram. Otherwise, she'd be overwhelmed with disgust every day."Why are you so bitchy? Are you trying to start so
"What are you talking about? What do you mean death? Can you even speak properly? Can you actually treat a disease? Move aside! We don't need you!" a middle-aged woman yelled.She even pushed Millie aside, nearly causing her to fall. Luckily, Lindy was there to catch her. Millie was surprised to see her."I saw your text and heard what was said in the private room. I knew you were uneasy, so I followed you," she explained.She was taken aback to find Millie in another private room and wondered about the man who had collapsed on the floor.Lindy crouched down to inspect the man, turning to Millie and stating, "It should be alcohol poisoning."Millie agreed. "It's more than just alcohol poisoning. His stomach is severely bloated, and we need to relieve the pressure.""What nonsense are you talking about? Vincent has been drinking for years and has never experienced alcohol poisoning. His face isn't red at all, and his body is not itchy."Millie was amused and gestured toward his
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