Chapter 1468

Brandon took a breath, trying to steady himself.

Rolling toward the table, he poured water, lifted the glass, and drank slowly.

The world outside the wide window appeared distant, almost unreal, as though he were drifting through a fog. The losses, the mistakes, the pain—it all felt like a terrible dream.

A sudden vibration pulled him back. He looked at his phone. It was a message from Darden.

“Hey, Brandon, how are you doing? Want a drink tonight?”

Darden seemed to expect his gloom, judging by the timing.

Over the past year, after witnessing the chaos around him, Darden had changed. He mended things with his partner, and after many storms, they finally made peace.

People whispered about him lately, claiming he no longer dared upset her, especially since she was now a fierce girl boss who could ditch her annoying boyfriend at any moment. She had gone from cashier to group leader and then store manager, moving steadily upward.

Sometimes Brandon wondered: If he had been honest with Millie from the beginning and trusted her more, and stopped acting so arrogant, would everything have turned out differently? Would their child still be alive? Would Millie still be by his side? Perhaps nothing would have collapsed, and she wouldn’t be lying unconscious in a hospital now.

But time couldn’t be rewound.

He exhaled heavily and replied, “Not tonight. I need some quiet. Enjoy yourselves, put it on me.”

Darden responded quickly, “Alright, take care, bro.”

Brandon set the phone down and stayed at the table a bit longer before wheeling himself toward the bedroom.

As he entered, something felt wrong. The air felt different. What had changed?

His heartbeat quickened when he saw a small rise in the center of the bed, as if someone were lying under the covers.

His breath grew uneven, his thoughts blurred. Who could be here? Could it possibly be Millie?

His fingers trembled as he pushed himself closer, staring at the figure. It was a woman.

Hearing the noise, she opened her eyes slowly and smiled.

“Brandon, you’re home,” she said gently.

Brandon froze.

That face… That voice… Could it be Millie?

Had she somehow left the hospital to return here? Or was he trapped inside some cruel dream where nothing had fallen apart yet?

His mind spun, tangled and confused. Something warm spread through him, loosening his defenses.

The woman rose slightly and stroked his cheek.

“What happened? Brandon, don’t you know me?” she asked softly, leaning in and wrapping her arms around him.