Chapter 116
Chapter 116:
“It had nothing to do with Austin.” Colin cut Milly off, his voice edged with impatience. “Every step of the review was documented—there’s no way he could’ve meddled. Brinley’s work speaks for itself. Her grasp of racetrack design is remarkable, and even the judge admitted she has a natural gift p>
He lifted the tablet, sliding it open to Brinley’s designs. His fingertips skimmed across the parameters, each one calculated down to the hundredth.
“Take a look at this p>
The sharpness in his voice eased as he spoke, and though he didn’t realize it, a flicker of genuine admiration lit his gaze.
Milly’s hand trembled so violently the hot soup sloshed over, scalding her tender skin—yet she didn’t even flinch.
A sharp, crushing ache clenched her chest, stealing the air from her lungs.
𝘛he 𝗺𝘰ѕ𝘵 𝗉𝗈р𝗎𝘭а𝘳 𝗻𝗈𝘃𝗲𝗹ѕ 𝗼𝗻 ѕ.𝗰𝗼𝗺
Still, she curved her lips into a soft smile and reached up to smooth the crumpled collar of Colin’s shirt. “I get it. I was mistaken about Brinley.” Her voice carried a fragile steadiness. “Well, we may have lost this round, but we’ll take it back the next. You’ll always have me p>
Her fingers lingered, brushing deliberately along the line of his throat with a feather-light touch. “Even if I can’t do much right now—being pregnant and all—I’m still here, whenever you need me p>
Colin finally lifted his eyes to her. His gaze fell on the gentle swell of her belly, softening the sharp lines of his expression. “Milly, you’ve really carried the weight of all this p>
“For you, it’s nothing I’d ever regret.” She melted against his chest, pressing her ear to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat—though inside, it felt as though thorned vines were winding tight around her heart.
She knew Colin’s nature too well. His calm exterior masked a relentless urge to dominate those he admired.
Once, that fire had been directed at her brilliance. Now, his reverence had drifted to Brinley. And how could she ever bear that?
Milly steadied her breath, her voice trembling with wounded longing. “I really do want to help you. Just a few days ago, I even tried sketching a design for a business district, but after sitting for a short while, I got so dizzy I couldn’t keep going p>
Colin’s frown deepened exactly as she had anticipated. He reached out, his hand firm on her shoulder as he eased her upright. “I told you not to push yourself. What matters now is your health and the baby’s, not the company p>
Her gaze lifted to him, shimmering with unshed tears, long lashes trembling. “But I want to be”
More than just someone you protect. I want to be useful to you.” Her voice caught, colored with both yearning and defiance. “I don’t want to always weigh you down. I want people to see that your wife is more than a homemaker—she’s someone who can stand beside you p>
Colin’s weak spot had been struck cleanly.
That quiet defiance moved him more than any dramatic plea, echoing the Brinley who had once stood at his side—only now it was Milly, carrying his child.
His hand drifted to her hair, stroking it with uncharacteristic tenderness as his voice softened. “We’ll revisit this once the baby’s here. For now, your only task is to take care of yourself p>
Milly lowered her head with a dutiful nod, though inwardly she sneered. She had to marry him to secure her place—before Colin’s heart slipped even further toward Brinley.
Her hand drifted over her belly, and she spoke in a voice softer than a sigh. “You know, I’m already four months along, yet I still haven’t met your parents. My mom called the other day, asking when we’d come home for dinner, and I didn’t know what to tell her p>