Chapter 64

Once Vivian was safely dropped at her door, Brandon drifted through the city on his own.

Every glimpse of neon and the restless swirl of strangers outside sparked a tangled ache inside him.

Through the window, he watched the pale glow of streetlights and the endless flow of cars, feeling strangely apart from all the city's noise and movement.

A sudden vibration in his pocket then interrupted his thoughts.

Glancing at the screen, Brandon spotted an incoming call from an old friend-Darden Harris.

He answered with a simple, "Yeah?"

On the other end, Darden didn't waste time. "Feel like grabbing a drink? I'm at Blue Lounge. Unless you've got plans with Vivian?"

Their friendship went all the way back to childhood, so Brandon gave a quick nod to his driver and told him to switch directions.

"I'll be there," he said.

The Bentley glided through Crobert's busy streets, making its way to Blue Lounge, the city's most popular night spot.

Navigating through the bustling crowd, Brandon eventually arrived at Darden's private suite.

A subtle frown crept across his face as he stepped inside.

The place buzzed with laughter and voices, a lively mix of men and women-Darden clearly intent on throwing a party.

"Brandon, you made it!" Darden called out, pulling him into a boisterous hug.

With a hint of reluctance, Brandon allowed himself to be led further in.

Raising his glass for attention, Darden declared,"Everyone, meet my oldest friend Brandon Watson-he's the one who runs the Watson Group now! Let's hear it for him!"

His tipsiness was obvious, and the crowd responded with eager applause.

Brandon's face was a familiar one in Crobert;recognition flashed instantly in the eyes of half the room.

The noise grated on him, so he quietly motioned for the hangers-on to clear out.

Rather than take offense, Darden just grinned and waved for everyone but the two of them to file out.

Once the room had emptied, the two sat on the sofa,Darden pouring a generous drink for his friend.

Brandon studied the liquid glinting in the low light before taking a measured sip.

"How's life been treating you?" Darden asked,settling in.

Instead of answering right away, Brandon let his head rest against the back of the sofa, his featuresslipping into shadow where Darden couldn't read them.

Instead of responding directly, Brandon broke the silence with his own question. "What about you?Anything new?"

Darden let out a sharp laugh, swiping at his eyes before draining another mouthful of liquor."Oh,you know-family drama on repeat. There's always some issue cropping up. And would you believe it, Alyssa just dumped me. Said I'm 'damaged goods' now and wants nothing to do with me."

He sighed in exasperation. "Honestly, I don't get her logic. Sure, I've been around other females, but it's always business. Dad needed me to show the McCoy family's daughter around town; was I supposed to say no?"

Brandon traced circles in his glass, only half-engaged in Darden's tale.

Eventually, he suggested, "Maybe you're sending mixed signals without realizing it."

Darden rolled his eyes and topped off Brandon's glass,refusing to let the subject drop.

"Alright, I hear you, Mr. CEO," he teased. "Guess I should take notes-stick with one woman at a time like you did. First Millie, and now Vivian. Loyal as ever."

The jab struck a nerve. Brandon's annoyance showed as he motioned for Darden to put the bottle down.

That only seemed to amuse Darden more.

"You're upset?" Darden grinned, settling back with a look of mischief.

"Don't take it the wrong way. Honestly, I admire you.I wish I could say the same for myself," he added,setting his glass aside and slumping into the couch."You've done more than rescue your family's business -you've actually made it stronger. And on the personal side, Millie would have gone through hell for you. Now you're with Vivian, and, at least from what l heard,she seems genuinely good. Meanwhile, me..."

With shadows flickering across his features, Darden's expression stayed hidden from view.

"I may have inherited the company, but there's always another crisis knocking at the door. Alyssa and I have been together forever, yet now she can't even stand to look at me-and nothing I say seems to matter.

Sometimes I wish I had your kind of freedom."

His voice lingered in the quiet,echoing faintly.

Brandon's gaze dropped, tracing the slow orbit of melting ice in his glass.

Freedom? Was that really what his life looked like?

Nothing could be further from the truth.

"So, tell me-what's the deal with you, Millie, and Vivian?" Darden changed course, curiosity sharp in his tone. "I've seen some posts online, but it's impossible to keep track of your story."

"We're going through a divorce, Millie and I," Brandon replied.

"You're kidding me!" The answer jolted Darden upright,the light finally revealing his stunned face.

"For Vivian? Are you serious?" Darden blurted out,his disbelief unmistakable.

Brandon raised his glass, taking a slow sip.

A simple "Yes," was his answer.

Darden shook his head, setting his own drama aside for the moment. "I don't get it. You and Millie always seemed rock solid-looked happy, even. And Vivian...isn't she terminally ill? I figured you were just being kind to her, nothing more. Plus,is Millie really fine with this?"

Brandon kept his eyes on the slow swirl of ice, not bothering to meet Darden's gaze.

"She gave her consent," Brandon replied.

"No way," Darden said, springing to his feet and pacing the length of the room.

Genuine confusion clouded his face.

"Are you telling me she's just letting you go? I remember how she handled that PR disaster with that pretty executive from the vendor company-remember? You ignored the woman, but she kept trying to get close, even showed off in front of Millie.Next thing I knew, Millie made sure that woman knew her place. She was so angry with you after,she wouldn't even talk to you for days," Darden continued,lost in the memory.

The recollection came back to Brandon vividly.

It was all a misunderstanding-he'd never shown interest in the woman, but his silence had been misread,and she ended up provoking Millie.

He could still see Millie's expression as she hurled the folder at the woman, telling her in no uncertain terms that anyone who didn't put business first had no place working with Watson Group.

That same evening, when Brandon reached for her, most she shoved him away with a fierce glare, stubbornness radiating from every inch of her.

It took what felt like forever before her anger finally began to fade.

Only once she'd cooled did she lay things out for him."Brandon, I'm willing to compromise on business, but never on love."

She was even clearer before the night ended. "I love you,Brandon-more than anything. But I can't share your heart. If someone else ever takes my place in your heart..." The determination in her eyes was unmistakable when she added, "I'll walk away,no matter what."

Brandon's fingers tightened around the glass, knuckles white, before he forced himself to loosen his grip.

"You know, she was always glued to you-never more than a little sulk when she got upset. It doesn't add up.I don't see how she could actually let go," Darden murmured.

A wave of heaviness washed over Brandon as he closed his eyes, the past pressing in.

Seven years had passed, and yet she'd never managed to walk away.

Lately, she'd even started handling things with care, choosing not to stir up unnecessary conflict.

That thought sent Brandon reaching for his glass,draining it in one swallow.

The drinks kept coming that evening, but a subtle,persistent unease settled in the back of his mind.

Still, when morning came, Brandon brushed off the discomfort and dove back into his daily routine.

Everything slipped into a comfortable rhythm, until a news report shattered the calm-

"Millie spotted escorting a child to school,child addresses her as 'mom.'"