Chapter 45
Chapter 45:
“I heard some noise,” Austin replied simply, his gaze flicking to the bottle in her hand. He turned and took two glasses from the cupboard. “Want a drink p>
Brinley hesitated, then gave a small nod.
“Let’s go to the rooftop,” Austin suggested, taking the bottle from her. “The breeze will do you good p>
The rooftop garden was alive with roses, their petals faintly jeweled with dew. The early morning wind was damp and cool against her skin.
Austin uncorked the bottle and poured a glass for her and one for himself, though he didn’t drink. He held his glass idly, his eyes fixed on the skyline stretching out before them.
Brinley lifted hers and downed it in a single gulp.
The rich taste lingered on her tongue, its faint bitterness loosening the knot in her chest.
“Is this about Colin?” Austin asked suddenly, his voice carried off by the breeze.
Brinley scowled at him. “Do you honestly think I’d drink myself silly over an ex p>
𝗝𝘰𝗶𝗻 tho𝘂𝗌𝖺𝘯ds 𝘰f 𝘧a𝗻ѕ оn ѕ.с𝘰𝗆
“No,” he replied, shaking his head, solemn. “I just think something’s weighing on you p>
“Spare me the questions,” Brinley snapped, snatching the bottle from him and refilling her glass. “If you’re not up for keeping me company, you can just go p>
Austin…
…said nothing as he watched her take another gulp. He simply lifted his glass and drank with her in silence.
Before long, the wine was gone.
Brinley’s cheeks were flushed, her gaze beginning to drift out of focus. Normally, she could handle her liquor, but drinking on an empty stomach had made her tipsy far too quickly.
“Colin’s a bastard!” she blurted, slurring as she swayed with the empty glass in her hand. “And Milly’s no better! Two shameless cheats p>
Austin sat quietly and listened without interrupting.
“And you!” Brinley suddenly jabbed a finger at him, wobbling. “Austin, you’re an idiot! Out of all the women you could’ve chosen, why on earth did you marry me p>
Austin studied her flushed face and clouded eyes, fully aware she was far too drunk to remember any of this later.
A faint smile tugged at his lips—helpless, but edged with tenderness.
Then he spoke softly. “I’ve wanted to marry you since I was fourteen p>
Tilting her head, Brinley peered at him and muttered incoherently, “Huh? What was that p>
Austin knew she hadn’t caught his words, but he continued anyway, his voice low and wistful. “When I was fourteen, at that party at the Moores’ house…” His gaze drifted into the distance, as though he were seeing beyond the horizon. “It was the anniversary of my mother’s death. My siblings cornered me, calling me a curse, a bringer of misfortune p>