Chapter 117

Three different servings of beef stew sat on the table before Brandon.

Hardly more than a nibble from each, Brandon set his spoon down and gave up.

Outside the window, his gaze drifted to the city,where May's early heat shimmered.

Time slipped by as he remained fixated on the view.

All around him, the silence was deep, making it seem as though someone else ought to fill the chair across from him.

Tucked in the drawer was his grandfather's note, and sorting through his own emotions felt impossible.

Finishing up with the lunch boxes, Vivian called out,"Brandon," her voice gentle as she made her way over.

With an expectant look, he turned toward her, waiting for what she might say.

Shifting awkwardly, Vivian hesitated before speaking."Um, could you... lend me some money?" she asked, clearly uneasy. "The studio's tight on funds, but I'll pay you back soon."

Brandon's reply came quickly. "How much?"

Almost whispering, Vivian kept her head low. "Five million," she said, sounding even less sure.

Pulling out his phone, Brandon didn't hesitate.

A ping from her phone signaled the transfer had gone through.

Vivian's entire face lit up. "You have no idea how much this means to me!"

No hint of emotion crossed Brandon's features. His heartbeat remained even, untouched.

Once Vivian slipped out the door, he turned to address Eugene, his ever-present assistant. "Clear everything from my schedule this afternoon and tonight."

With a simple tilt of his head, Eugene acknowledged the order.

Not long after, Brandon spoke again. "Take tomorrow off my calendar as well."

Eugene's eyes widened just slightly. The unspoken message was clear. Brandon would be closing the Chapter on his marriage first thing tomorrow.

A moment of silence passed before Eugene offered a searching look, and then answered, "Of course."

Brandon wasted no more time. Keys in one hand and jacket in the other, he stepped out into the corridor.

Eugene's voice carried down the hallway."Do you mind telling me your destination, Mr. Watson?"

A simple flick of Brandon's hand served as his only answer.

Nothing more needed to be said. Eugene knew better than to follow.

Solitude became Brandon's companion as he cruised through city streets in his Maybach, directionless.

No plan guided him. Instead, he wandered,untethered,much like a cloud searching for somewhere to settle.

At last, his drive ended. The car rolled to a stop before the gates of a mansion.

This was once the home where Millie's family built their lives.

Just down the block, Brandon's own childhood memories lingered in the walls of another house He stepped out of his car, his pace unhurried as he approached the familiar property.

Time had left its mark, and what was once grand now looked worn around the edges.

Inside, laughter filled the air. Brandon noticed the house belonged to strangers now.

Everything changed after Millie's father passed away.The property had been sold off during the settlement.

From the sidewalk, Brandon watched the new family of three, and in their joy, he caught a glimpse of summers past-Millie's family together once more in his mind.

Parents spun each other around the room,their daughter giggling at the piano keys

A red dress swirled with the music, and the little girl's joyful face seemed etched into his memory.

Someone shouted a warning, "Slow down! You might fall!"

"Ouch!" A small accident interrupted the fun. The little girl-this new family's child-had run too fast, tripped,and landed in a sulky heap, nearly in tears.

Brandon knelt beside her, producing a handkerchief to gently dry her cheeks, as though he could wipe away someone else's sorrow from long ago.

Offering comfort, he said, "You're all right," and reached out to lift her gently from the ground.

A cheerful voice called from the doorway."Thank you,Mr. Watson!" The child's mother hurried over,gratitude clear in her face.

People around here rarely forgot Brandon's name or story.

Offeing a small nod, he answered simply, "Think nothing of it."

Once more, his attention drifted down to the little girl beside him.

Tears had dried, but she now watched him with a mixture of caution and wonder.

Unexpectedly, a gentle smile broke across his face.

He rose to his feet, deciding it was time to move on.

For a split second, a wave of memory washed over him -he almost believed MAillie was standing there. Not the Millie hardened by loss, but the one before tragedy,before those cold stares.

A heavy breath left his chest as he walked back to his car.

He found himself wondering if any destination could make sense now.

With nowhere to go, Brandon pressed the accelerator,letting the city roll by

His thoughts spun for what felt like hours, until finally the skyline thinned and he realized he'd wandered into the city's forgotten edge.

Off to one side, a massive building rose against the fading light.

The bleak outline of Crobert's penitentiary stood against the sky.

A quiet certainty settled over Brandon as his car rolled to a stop. He finally understood who he needed to confront.

Once the entry process was done, he waited in the visitation room, his gaze landing on a man behind thick glass.

Recognition brought a sour grin to the inmate's face.He snatched up the phone, lips curled in disdain.

Matching the gesture, Brandon lifted the receiver and held it to his ear.

A taunt came through the line, saying, "Look who it is -Mr. Watson himself. What's so important that you'd drop by today?"

Words didn't come. Brandon answered with a steady,silent stare.

On the other side sat Hayden Grant. Once, he'd played the role of Millie's stepfather.

Suspicion edged Hayden's next question. "Millie got you running her errands now?"

Brandon's answer was simple. "I came on my own."

With eyebrows raised, Hayden seemed surprised."So it wasn't her? What could you possibly have to say?clearly remembered you said men like me wveren't even worth your breath."

No reply left Brandon's lips. He just watched Hayden,unflinching.

Time and prison had changed Hayden. His uniform sagged on a thinner frame, though nothing in his bearing suggested a truly broken man.

A shift in Brandon's demeanor unsettled Hayden. The silence pressed in, making him fidget in his seat.

Hayden broke the silence, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "If you're not going to talk, then let me.I've been stuck here for years-tell me, how are things with you and Millie?"

No answer came from Brandon.

A sly grin crossed Hayden's face. "Seeing anyone new these days? Oh,wait-didn't you used to worship the ground she walked on, and didn't she practically live for you?" He let out a dry laugh.

Questions kept coming. "So, did the two of you ever tie the knot?"

With a slight motion, Brandon gave a nod, though he hesitated afterward.

Hayden picked up on the subtle pause, pretending to be let down. He shook his head with a sigh

"So Millie really went ahead and married into money.That's not surprising. You two always seemed close.Before Nicole and I got together, Millie already had plenty, but the Watson name carries weight. Did your family ever give her a hard time?"

Brandon shook his head, still silent.

That only seemed to draw Hayden in further."She must have a way with people, convincing everyone like that. What was her secret?"

Contact with the outside world had grown rare for Hayden,so his curiosity felt almost sincere.

Maybe Millie succeeded because she genuinely invested herself in those around her.

Everything started when Brandon's grandfather fell ill -that was the reason behind their marriage in the first place-but over time, both his grandparents grew to cherish Millie as one of their own. 1

Hayden raised his eyebrows. "Suit yourself if you don't want to talk. But what brings you here, really? You didn't drop by just for conversation, did you?" A flicker of realization crossed his face. "Wait,is Millie in some kind of mess?"

Brandon's eyes shifted downward, the weight of the question settling in.

After a pause, he answered quietly, "We're getting a divorce."

The arrangement was all for show, a plan to remarry after half a year, yet the sadness still clung to him.

Real surprise flashed across Hayden's face this time."A divorce? Your family finally turned against her?That's just her luck. She loves you to the core and will literally do anything for you, and now you're tossing her aside. I can only imagine the tears-she's probably falling apart. Honestly, that's the best news I've had all year!"

Hayden's laughter rang through the receiver, sharp and grating.

The visit drew to a close. Brandon set the phone back on the cradle and got to his feet.

A final glance at Hayden showed him still lost in cruel amusement.

Truth be told, it was never about his family rejecting Millie. The divorce was Brandon's own doing.

"Sir, it's time to go." A guard's voice broke the moment.

Turning away at last, Brandon exited the room.

As the heavy doors closed behind him, he realized the reason he'd come. The words he needed to hear were simple-"She loves you to the core."