Chapter 91

Brandon almost told Ari the truth about who he was, but in the end, he held back.

He was here today for one reason only: to clear things up with Millie about Charles.

He didn't want complications. That was the plan.

Brandon caught the flicker of fear in Ari's wide eyes, her gaze dartingaround as if searching for an escape route. Before she could bolt, he quickly said, "Don't be scared. I'm not a bad person."

Still, it was obvious she didn't want to stay.

"I used to have a child," Brandon said, the words slipping out before he could stop them. An image flashed through his mind-Millie, soaked in blood and sobbing in his arms. "But they're gone now.Seeing you just... reminds me of that."

"I didn't mean to scare you," he added gently."1only asked you to include me in the drawing because of that."

Something must have shifted, because Ari stopped fidgeting. She looked up at him with surprising seriousness, no longer on the verge of running.

Then,with a quiet kind of grace, she reached out and patted the back of his hand.

Her tiny hand on his felt soft. It was very comforting.

Brandon almost chuckled.

A little girl comforting him? But the strange thing was, it worked. He actually felt a bit better.

Then she spoke. "But | still can't draw you in. I have my rules."

Rules? What did such a small child know about rules?

Brandon raised an eyebrow, more intrigued than annoyed.

"Did your mom teach you that?" he asked.

Ari turned back to her drawing, carefully filling in the colors. Without looking up, she replied,"My mom taught me a lot."

"But you haven't known her long, have you?" Brandon asked.

Ari didn't seem to mind the question. "She's nice to everyone. Not just me-Charles, Alexia too."

Her face lit up. "Even though I don't call her 'Mom' out loud yet, she gets me. She takes me to the doctor, buys me things, lets me go to school."

But then her expression tightened with concern. "She doesn't take care of herself, though. Her injuries aren't better yet. But I kiss them, and she says it helps. My mom says when I kiss her booboos, they stop hurting."

Brandon's thoughts immediately jumped to Millie...

Her head was wrapped in bandages when he saw her at the hospital last time.

She'd fallen down the stairs. He wondered how bad her injuries were.

During their recent visit to the Moonlit Estate, he hadn't gotten a chance to check on her.

A light breeze passed as he watched Ari color with impressive focus.

Brandon found a quiet sense of peace settling over him.

This,he thought, was nice.

Time drifted by. Then, in the distance, he spotted Millie approaching the kindergarten

Without thinking, he stepped back into the shade.

As soon as Millie entered the school yard, she spotted Ari perched on a stone bench, completely absorbed in her drawing.

Just seeing her brought a smile to Millie's face.

She walked over quietly, not wanting to interrupt. But Ari noticed her anyway.

"Millie!" she squealed joyfully, running straight into her arms.

Millie caught her with practiced ease.

"I just finished a drawing!" Ari said eagerly,holding it out. "Do you like it?"

Millie took the paper and examined it with a warm smile. "It's beautiful, Ari. You did a wonderful job."

She kissed Ari on the cheek, making the girl giggle.

Carefully, Millie rolled up the drawing and set it aside. She then sat beside Ari, gently brushing her fingers over Ari's forehead and cradling her small hands in hers.

She pulled out a wet wipe, cleaning Ari's face and fingers, and then opened a thermos and poured her some warm water, using the lid as a temporary cup.

Her every motion was thoughtful and tender.

"Thank you," Ari said after finishing her drink, passing back the lid with both hands.

"You're welcome. Want some more?"

Ari nodded, and Millie poured another cup.

As she helped Ari retie her loosened ponytail and adjust her shoelaces, she asked how her day at kindergarten had been.

Ari had plenty to say. They both seemed to be enjoying the moment.

From a distance, Brandon watched quietly.

If he and Millie had a chid...would their life look something just like this?

Would they walk hand-in-hand as a family of three?

He felt a sudden ache in his chest. Was he getting old, longing for this kind of domestic life?

Then Ari piped up, "Right, a stranger said he wanted to buy me ice cream earlier."

Millie stiffened slightly. "Who was it?"

Ari looked around and then pointed. "He was over there."

Following her gaze, Millie spotted Brandon, no longer hiding.

Their eyes locked. Millie straightened.

Brandon stepped forward, his voice steady. "We need to talk."

Millie turned her attention to Ari, who was still watching them curiously from the stone bench.

"Ari has a hospital appointment," Millie said coolly, making it clear she didn't intend to linger.

"I'Il go with you," Brandon replied, giving her no room to decline. "Unless you want me showing up here every day?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

She looked back at Ari. Then, with a resigned sigh, she nodded.

Better to deal with him now than let this drag on.

Ari continued to observe the two adults, her eyes full of questions.

But Millie said nothing.

She didn't want to explain. She didn't want Ari calling Brandon"Dad."

Yes,they were still legally married-but not for much longer.

Without a word, she helped Ari into the back seat of Brandon's Maybach and got in beside her.

The car glided smoothly toward Crobert Hospital.

Silence hung heavy inside.

Brandon glanced at Millie in the rearview mirror.

When had things grown so cold between them?

She used to have that dazzling smile on her face whenever she saw him. Now, she wouldn't even look at him.

He broke the silence. "When did you move out? And why didn't you tell me?"

Millie kept her eyes on Ari, who leaned quietly against her.

"You don't need to know," she replied, her tone calm but distant

Brandon clenched his jaw but held back.

"Where are you staying now?" he asked again.

Still no answer. Millie gently rubbed Ari's back. After a longpause, she finally said, "We'll talk after Ari's hospital appointment."

"Millie!" he started, his voice rising with anger.

Ari suddenly burst into tears. Big, silent sobs that spilled down her cheeks. "He's scary," she cried.Millie's patience snapped upon seeing Ari's tears.

"Stop the car," she said, her voice icy.