Chapter 44
Chapter 44:
“You’re hopeless, Brinley!” Brinley slapped her own cheeks in exasperation. “What on earth was I thinking, actually wanting to kiss Austin again? Stop it! Don’t even go there p>
Yes, Austin had the kind of looks and physique that could make anyone’s heart flutter, but she had no business letting thoughts like that linger.
Just then, her phone—resting on the edge of the bathtub—lit up with a notification.
It was a message from Colin.
“Brinley, are you alright? I regret what happened before. I know it’s far too late to be saying this now, but I need you to know I’ve thought a lot about my mistakes. Even if you never want to read my messages again, I still have to say I’m sorry p>
R𝘦a𝘥 t𝗁𝘦 l𝘢te𝘴𝘵 𝘁𝗋e𝗇𝖽𝘴 𝘰n
Brinley stared at the screen for a moment before turning it off, her expression blank. She had no desire to see anything connected to Colin, let alone his hollow apology.
The harm had already been done. A few words of regret could never mend it.
Exhaustion washed over her again, and the chill of the bathwater only deepened her dizziness. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep in the tub.
In her dream, she found herself reliving those two years with Colin.
They were back in the high-rise apartment overlooking the river. Colin lounged on the sofa, but Milly was curled up in his arms, dressed in Brinley’s nightgown, her smile coy as she nestled against him.
The way Colin looked at Brinley was unlike anything she’d seen before—cold, indifferent, almost cruel.
“Brinley,” he said softly, his voice strangely tender, “I love Milly. She’s the one who truly fits me, body and soul p>
He ran a hand through Milly’s hair, then glared at Brinley with disgust. “That’s why I never touched you p>
Brinley gasped awake, jerking upright in the water, her hair dripping cold against her shoulders.
It took her a second to realize it had only been a dream.
The first light of dawn crept through the window, the bathroom lamp casting a weak glow across her face.
Still shaken from the dream, Brinley felt her stomach twist.
Wrapping herself in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom, her heart still pounding.
Her eyes drifted instinctively to the liquor cabinet in the living room.
A sudden urge for a drink tugged at her—not to bury her sorrow, but to ease the sick feeling lodged in her chest.
She had just pulled open the cabinet when a deep voice sounded behind her. “Brinley p>
Startled, she spun to find Austin leaning in the kitchen doorway, dressed in loungewear. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept either.
“Why aren’t you in bed?” she asked.