Chapter 198

Chapter 198:
He still said nothing, lost for words and unwilling to offer empty reassurances. After a spell, Vivian’s sobs turned into a harsh cough. “‘Ahem… ahem…’”
He could hear her struggling for breath, her voice cracking through the phone. “Brandon, I feel awful… It hurts so much tonight…”
Mid-conversation, Brandon’s phone buzzed again. He glanced down to see a message from Vivian—a photo flashed on the screen. Her face was streaked with tears, lips wiped raw, and a faint line of blood lingered at the corner of her mouth. The image told the rest; her coughing had left its mark.
Vivian’s voice trembled through the line. “Brandon, please… could you come over? I’m in so much pain right now.” A deep frown furrowed Brandon’s brow, his eyes shutting for a moment.
He gave in, replying quietly, “Alright.”
Millie stood nearby, having seen and heard everything. Brandon made no effort to hide the call. Vivian’s plea hung between them—Millie knew exactly what it meant.
“Aren’t you going to her?” Millie’s voice was flat. “It’s obvious you want to.”
He shot her a look, lips drawn tight and eyes hard. A thousand explanations crowded his mind—he wanted to say it was only because Vivian was sick. But the coldness in Millie’s gaze stopped him, and every word withered before it could reach his lips.
He rose from the bed. Once dressed in fresh clothes, he grabbed his keys from the dresser. Without making a sound, he slipped out of the room.
At the entryway, his gaze lingered on the closed door to the bedroom. He looked away and left the villa without another word.
Millie waited until she heard Brandon leave before she let out a deep sigh.
Scrambling to her feet, Millie locked the door in a hurry. She dragged a table against it for extra security, then sank to the floor, utterly drained. Brandon’s presence still lingered in the air as she clutched at her collar.
Everything he said made sense. There was no way she could make it home tonight, not with her head spinning from too much wine.
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Their marriage still stood on paper, with memories of nights spent together and the heartbreak of the babies they had lost before birth, but Vivian was his world now. A heavy wave of emotion had driven him out of the house, chasing after Vivian, while Millie knew exactly what would happen next. Even as she understood, her heart wanted none of it. She had let him go a long time ago.
Brandon settled behind the wheel of his car. As he buckled in, he spotted Matthew, the butler, hurrying toward him.
“Mr. Watson, where are you headed?” Matthew called, worry in his voice. “Your grandmother gave strict orders that both you and Mrs. Watson stay at the estate tonight.”
Brandon hesitated for a moment before rolling the window down. In the glow from the porch lights, the lines on Matthew’s face seemed even deeper.
“There’s something I need to take care of tonight,” Brandon said, his voice steady. “I’ll make sure I’m here for breakfast with Grandpa and Grandma.”
Worry flickered in Matthew’s eyes as he continued, “Sir, this isn’t just about sharing a meal. Your grandparents hope you and Mrs. Watson can mend things while you’re here.” Content originally comes from.net
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