Chapter 193

Chapter 193:
In Brandon’s mind, she had done all this on purpose. She had allowed the child to call her Mom where cameras might see it, ensuring they would end up face-to-face again at the Watson estate.
Millie froze mid-step, her breath catching. Something stirred deep in her chest—a tangled mix of emotions she couldn’t name at first. Was it anger clawing its way up, or sorrow pressing down on her heart? Maybe it was both, crashing into each other all at once.
“I never asked you this before… Back in Flesta, during those ten minutes I stepped away—what did you really say to him?” Brandon spoke.
“We lost our child. Do you think I haven’t suffered? I’ve carried that pain with me every day since. You know exactly why I’ve longed to become a parent all these years. So why would you twist something so sacred—why would you use a child as part of some scheme?” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
His voice was low, even, calm as still water. But each word cut like glass, merciless and cold.
Her chest ached under the weight of his accusations. Her hands trembled, her breath caught somewhere between a sob and a scream. How could he say something so cruel? How could someone who once held her heart speak with such emptiness?
She slowly turned to face him. He stood in the moonlight, his expression unreadable.
Perhaps it was the distance between them—or perhaps the years—but in that moment, he didn’t look like the man she once loved. He wore Brandon’s face, yet something inside him felt hollow, twisted. Was this really him? Or had he changed so completely that he now seemed like a stranger wearing his skin?
Without thinking, Millie crossed the space between them. Her steps were swift, her heart pounding. And then—
Her hand struck him hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed into the silence. Her palm stung, but the pain didn’t matter. He had already hurt her far worse.
Brandon’s cheek burned where the slap had landed, a mix of rage and humiliation simmering beneath his skin. Not once in nearly three decades had anyone ever dared treat him with such disrespect. Heat flushed through him as he spun to face her. Words hovered on his tongue, but the sight of Millie’s tear-streaked face stopped him cold.
Bathed in silver moonlight, she looked as if she might vanish at any moment—so pale, yet her eyes were raw and swollen with grief. Her tears spilled quietly, steady as rainfall, soaking his resolve. Every drop cut deeper than words ever could. Memories from Flesta flooded his mind—the night they lost their baby, the way she had sobbed into his chest, every cry shattering him anew.
Not a single sound escaped her lips, yet the ache in his chest was sharp and unbearable. He felt helpless against the heaviness settling in his heart; witnessing her like that was almost too much to endure.
Reaching out, Brandon tried to brush away her tears, only to have his hand knocked aside.
“Brandon.” Her fingers shook as she looked him in the eye, her voice unsteady but firm. “I refuse to be seen as someone so despicable.”
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