Chapter 121

When her words faded, Millie turned to scoop Ari into her arms.

A glance at his watch reminded Brandon that Eugene and the rest of their group hadn't arrived yet."Eugene is on his way. Let's not risk driving after a few drinks. How about we mark the night with a picture while we wait? It'll be a nice memory," he suggested.

Before their separation became official, Brandon yearned for one last photo of them together-a keepsake to bridge the months apart if they ever decided to reunite.

A family portrait would be something to hold onto when all else felt uncertain.

Still, he chose not to share this longing with anyone.

A moment of hesitation flickered in Millie's eyes, but Ari's small hand wrapped around hers, silently urging her not to say no.

In a barely-there voice, Ari whispered, "Dinner at the neighbor's house, remember?"

The gentle comment served as a nudge-they went so far, and it simply wasn't worth it to refuse Brandon now. What if he got mad and changed his mind about the divorce?

Millie took a deep breath and agreed with a small nod.

Waving a staff member over, Brandon handed off the camera he'd brought just for this moment.

Together, they made sure the angle was right, the backdrop framing them perfectly against the sea's vast expanse.

Few places in the city could rival the beauty of this seaside restaurant, especially with the windows framing the endless water.

Even with night blanketing the sky, the shoreline sparkled, bathing the ocean in a breathtaking glow.

Brandon extended his arms, his voice gentle. "Let me take Ari," he said, hoping to help.

Instead of accepting, Millie shifted to one side.

Without raising her gaze, she replied quietly, "I'll manage on my own." Any contact between Brandon and her daughter was something she wanted to avoid.

Ari wrapped her arms tightly around Millie's neck, her words a soft plea. "Millie, I want you to hold me."

Left with nothing to say, Brandon conceded, his disappointment masked behind a polite nod.

That was how their family portrait came to be-posed, stiff, and with a tension that clung to the edges of the frame.

The staff member returned with the camera, offering it back with a smile. "Here you go, Mr. Watson.How did it turn out? If you're not happy, we can always try again."

Millie didn't wait for a reply. "It's good enough," she said,voice firm.

With a sleepy sigh, Ari nestled closer to Millie. "Millie,I'm tired. I want to go home and sleep," she murmured, her yawn stretching across the quiet room.

Glancing only briefly at the snapshot, Brandon tucked the camera away.

A simple gesture dismissed the server, and quiet settled over the three of them, thick as the night outside.

Rocking Ari gently in her arms, Millie turned with a question.ny idea when Eugene and the others will show up? If they're running late, I'll just find a taxi."

Brandon gave a reassuring answer. "They're probably close." In truth, he hoped the wait might stretch a little longer.

A little more time might allow for the honest conversation he'd been wanting.

However, his optimism faded as Millie focused solely on Ari, her soothing touch making it clear she had no interest in chatting.

Annoyance flickered across Millie's face as she remembered Alexia's warning from earlier. Alexia had even set things up so Giffard was standing by.

Determined to take control, Millie poulled out her phone and searched for Giffard's number.

Brandon caught sight of the name on her screen, and his expression darkened with suspicion.

A question slipped out. "Why are you calling him?"

After all, Brandon was right there, and his people were almost at the door. Why reach for Giffard?

Millie pressed the call button anyway. "He's picking Ari and me up," she answered simply.

That answer didn't sit well with Brandon. His frown deepened as he reached over to end the call.

"What do you think you're doing?" Millie shot him a fierce glare.

Brandon spoke up, his tone firm. "Eugene is nearly here. There's really no reason to involve anyone else."

Once Ari was safely dropped off, Giffard would still have the task of getting Millie back to her place safely.

With the end of their marriage drawing near, Brandon found himself resisting the thought of Giffard giving her a ride home.

He pressed the point again. "Let my team handle your ride."

A wave of frustration swept over Millie.

Her patience had already worn thin-she hadn't even wanted to pose for the picture earlier, and now she felt cornered again.

A sharp reply left her lips. "Giffard's character is above reproach. He's not the type you're implying he is." Despite her words, Brandon refused to give in.

Before anyone could say more, her phone began to buzz, Giffard's name bright on the screen.

Without hesitating, Millie accepted the call. "It's me,yes. We're on the second floor. Can you come get us? Thank you."

The conversation ended, leaving her to wait beside Ari in silence.

A storm of frustration brewed inside Brandon, though there was nothing he could do.

Every effort he'd made to smooth things over-choosing this place, trying to show patience-had been meant to bring her some comfort.①

Moments earlier, he thought he'd glimpsed a shift in her mood, some softening. So why did she reach for Giffard now?

Years spent believing he understood her had done little to help in recent weeks. Each day made her more of a mystery.

When had Millie turned so unyielding?

Even after he explained Vivian's illness, insisting she didn't have long, Millie's anger refused to fade.

He called her name, "Millie," hoping to bridge the distance, but she said nothing, cradling Ari close.

Before Brandon could find the right words, a sharp knock sounded at the door.

Millie responded instantly, crossing the room with Ari still clinging to her.

A twist of the handle revealed three faces-Giffard,Eugene, and the woman she didn't recognize.

Without delay, Giffard crossed the threshold,taking his place beside Millie and Ari.

Eugene's eyes flicked around the room, confusion clouding his expression.

He distinctly remembered Brandon asking for a female driver to assist with transportation. Yet, for some reason, Giffard had shown up instead.

Tension hummed in the air, made sharper by the way

Brandon regarded Giffard-every glance tight and guarded.

For a moment, Eugene seemed uncertain, his voice faltering before he finally spoke. "Mr. Watson, we-"

Interrupting swiftly, Millie cut in, "Don't worry about it,Eugene. Giffard was already here. He'll be driving me, so there's no need for the driver you brought."

Having worked alongside Eugene before, she preferred not to create any extra difficulty, especially when she knew Brandon was the reason he'd come.

Without sparing Brandon a glance, Millie turned to Giffard. "Would you mind fetching my bag and Ari's backpack from the rack?"

In response, Giffard gave a quiet nod, cast a quick look in Brandon's direction, and walked off to collect their things.

Brandon stood by, silently observing Giffard as he tucked Ari's backpack away and handed Millie her bag.

Preparations complete,Millie and Giffard made ready to depart.

Her name left Brandon's lips in a quiet plea.-"Millie."

No response came from her; instead, she fell into step behind Giffard, making her way downstairs.

Their history together ran deep. In their youth, he had rescued her more than once, but her own sacrifices-seven long years of her life and the pain of losing two children-had been just as real.

Such was the nature of love and loss, forever tangled.

Once upon a time, their passion burned so brightly that parting felt impossible, and they would have risked it all for each other.

Yet, moving on sometimes came as suddenly as a storm breaking.

When she resolved to sever ties, nothing could stop her.

Holding Ari close, Millie walked steadily toward her car.

Uncertainty flickered between Eugene and the female driver as they glanced Brandon's way."What now,Mr.Watson?"

A chill crept into Brandon's tone. "Get in the car," he said, already heading for the stairs.

Millie's car pulled away while Brandon slipped into the back seat of his Maybach.

In silence, the driver took the wheel and Eugene claimed the front seat, his eyes darting nervously to the mirror.

"Follow them." A curt command broke the hush.

Brandon intended to keep watch, trailing close behind until Giffard and Millie went their separate ways.