Chapter 72

Brandon's cheek burned where the slap had landed, a mix of rage and humiliation simmering beneath his skin.

Not once in nearly three decades had anyone ever dared treat him with such disrespect.

Heat flushed through him as he spun to face her.

Words hovered on his tongue, but the sight of Millie's tear-streaked face stopped him cold.

Bathed in silver moonlight, she looked as if she might vanish at any moment-so pale, yet her eyes were raw and swollen with grief.

Her tears spilled quietly, steady as rainfall, soaking his resolve.

Every drop cut deeper than words ever could.

Memories from Flesta flooded his mind-the night they lost their baby, the way she had sobbed into his chest, every cry shattering him anew.

Not a single sound escaped her lips, yet the ache in his chest was sharp and unbearable.

He felt helpless against the heaviness settling in his heart; witnessing her like that was almost too much to endure.

Reaching out, Brandon tried to brush away her tears,only to have his hand knocked aside.

"Brandon." Her fingers shook as she looked him in the eye,voice unsteady but firm. "I refuse to be seen as someone so despicable."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she balled her fists so tightly her knuckles blanched, refusing to let herself look small.

"You told me Vivian was dying-half a year left,you said-and you wanted to care for her. Fine. You told me you needed a divorce for her sake, and I followed you all the way to the courthouse. Whatever you had with her, I let it go. But how could you belittle me?How could you show such contempt for me and my child?" Millie's voice barely rose above a whisper, but every syllable rang out beneath the hush of the night."Brandon, pain isn't reserved for you and Vivian alone.I made the mistake of loving you, and I will walk away.But what gives you the right to wound me-and my child--like this?"

Her mouth trembled, her voice faltering on those last words. Nails pressed deep into her skin,trying to anchor her composure.

Determined not to break, she drew her lips into a stubborn, unyielding line.

"Millie." Brandon's brow creased with anguish, every sentence landing like a blow. "About Vivian..."

He struggled for words, but in the end, nothing came out.

Pale moonlight streamed over everything, cloaking the earth in a cold shimmer.

"Half a year." The words escaped him at last, heavy and slow. "That's all the time she's been given."

A hollow laugh slipped from Millie's lips.

She tilted her chin, searching the black sky instead of his eyes.

How did everything unravel like this? Why was he the source of so much pain?

Dragging her sleeve across her face, Millie brushed away the last tears, unwilling to say more, and turned to walk away.

His hand shot out, catching hers before she could escape. "Millie." Her name left his mouth-hoarse,unwilling to let go.

No reply came. She only twisted her arm, determined to free herself.

But he only gripped her tighter.

Beneath the moon's gaze, the red in his eyes matched the stubbornness in his hold.

Millie fought his grasp, desperate to be anywhere but here.

The night breeze cut through her, and suddenly the world began to spin again.

That wine...

Years spent by Brandon's side at countless functions had made Millie an expert-one sip, and she could judge a drink's strength without fail.

Limits were never a mystery to her, and tonight's glass shouldn't have been enough to faze her.

Long experience with overseas business taught her to stay alert for tampering, and this drink held no hints of anything suspicious.Babette had no motive for such games either.

So why As the world tilted around her, she caught sight of Brandon's fingers circling her delicate wrist.

Her health had never truly recovered since that brutal fall on the stairs-since the baby was lost.

Now, the evening breeze tangled with the alcohol in her veins, leaving her reeling, legs barely able to hold her upright.

All she wanted was to get away from this place.

She tried to push Brandon off, to free herself from his grasp.

But she hadn't realized how much her balance had slipped.

"Millie?" Brandon's brow furrowed in concern.

No answer came from her.

Without hesitation, he bent and swept her up into his arms.

The ground vanished beneath Millie as Brandon lifted her, and she tried to shove him away,but her strength had long since faded.

"You've had too much to drink." His voice rumbled low,the sound barely breaking through his chest.

"Let me down," Millie muttered, her words slurred with fatigue and wine.

Brandon paid no attention, scooping up her shoes and carrying her toward the villa without missing a step.

Branches whispered overhead as they crossed the shadowy path, and Millie's head spun. She watched moonbeams break through leaves, scattering silver patterns over Brandon's shoulders.

For a moment, the glow blurred past and present,memories blending with the present moment in Millie's mind.

She had to admit-she was more intoxicated than she thought.

At the door, Brandon pressed his thumb to the scanner. The lock clicked open, and he set her gently at the threshold.

She leaned against the wall, steadying herself, while Brandon swung the door shut behind them.

Tears still streaked her cheeks, and something in her expression left a heaviness in his chest.

Lifting her, he'd noticed just how much weight she'd lost.

She'd always been slight, but now her fragility seemed impossible to ignore.

"Looks like the wine's caught up with you. Were you really planning to leave in this state?" Brandon's voice was gentle but edged with concern.

Heading out like this could put her in real danger.

"I don't need your concern," Millie retorted, her words thick and nasal from crying.

A quiet sigh escaped Brandon, frustration mingling with resignation.

"Moonlit Estate isn't exactly teeming with taxis. How do you plan on getting home-on foot?" he asked,trying to reason with her.

Security meant the area around the estate was always clear of prying eyes, and the Watsons liked it that way.

Normally, a family driver would be on standby, but Millie seemed intent on making her own way out.

Watching her clamp her lips together in stubborn silence, he continued, "I spotted your car outside.Were you thinking of getting behind the wheel like this? Millie, you can't even keep your balance."

She refused to answer, tears streaming unchecked down her face.

"Enough," Brandon said softly, "don't cry anymore."

The faint glow by the doorway cast shadows over Millie's tears, each one pulling at Brandon's chest.

She turned away, refusing to meet his eyes.

With a weary sigh, he bent down, hands gentle as he cradled her face and wiped the wetness from her cheeks.

Up close, he caught every shimmering drop clinging to her lashes.

He closed the distance and pressed his lips softly to hers.

Salt from her tears mixed with the warmth of her mouth.

Her fists landed against him, feeble and unconvincing.

Ignoring her resistance, Brandon tightened his grip,lifting her easily and carrying her through the hall into the bedroom.

White wine lingered on her skin; he didn't give her a chance to speak, silencing her with another kiss.

He didn't want words-only the closeness between them.

Inside the softly lit room, desire wove around them as he pinned her to the sheets, one hand roaming over every familiar curve.

He adored the feel of her, treasured every night spent tangled together, sweet whispers filling the darkness.

Nothing compared to the way she trembled in his arms or the look in her eyes when she focused only on him.

Weight had melted off her frame, leaving her even more fragile than before.

His hand traced her waist, startled by how much smaller it felt beneath his touch.

A whisper slipped from his lips as he drew her close."Millie..." He pressed a kiss against her mouth.

"Millie." Again, her name lingered in the hush between them as he found her lips, breath mingling softly wvith hers.