Chapter 329

Chapter 329: Original content can be found at.net
Millie met Ari’s gaze, her expression softening. “You get to decide, sweetheart. If you’d rather not go, we’ll skip it.”
Ari’s lips curled into a sly little grin. “Did he say something to you?” she teased, eyes bright with curiosity.
Millie couldn’t help but laugh—she’d never seen that spark in Ari before. “He did,” she admitted, then explained Brandon’s promise: no more contact unless it was absolutely necessary. Ari nodded as the situation clicked into place.
“Okay, let’s go,” she remarked with an easy smile. “We’ll just pretend it’s dinner at the neighbor’s house or something.”
“You really are the best,” Millie murmured, pressing a kiss to Ari’s forehead.
Ari giggled and reached up, planting a playful kiss on Millie’s cheek in return. They lingered in that warm, affectionate moment—until a sudden shadow stretched across them.
Startled, they both looked up. Brandon stood there, silent, his presence dimming their smiles.
He saw the change in their faces and felt a pang of regret, but managed a gentle greeting. “Hey, Ari.”
Ari took a moment to think, then greeted him with a quiet, “Hello.” Brandon gave her a subtle nod.
Straightening his posture, he turned to Millie. “Ready to go?” he inquired.
Without a word, Millie squeezed Ari’s hand and led her toward the parking lot.
“Why don’t you both ride with me?” Brandon offered.
Millie fixed him with an icy stare.
The memory of Ari’s last car ride with Brandon—how frightened she’d been when he started yelling—was still fresh in her mind.
“That’s not happening,” Millie declared, her voice steely. “Ari isn’t getting in your car ever again.”
Brandon faltered, visibly caught off guard, but after a beat, he only nodded and kept his thoughts to himself.
They drove separately, Millie’s protective grip never loosening from Ari’s hand. The sun was dipping low when they reached Crobert’s renowned seaside restaurant.
As Millie and Ari stepped out of their car, Brandon joined them on the curb. Together, the three of them walked inside, arriving just as the mellow chimes of the grand foyer clock marked five o’clock.
The moment the trio stepped into the restaurant, a waiter greeted them with a welcoming smile.
“Mr. Watson, Mrs. Watson, and Miss…” he began, about to say “Miss Watson.”
“My name is Ari Combs,” Ari interjected quickly.
The waiter gave a small nod in acknowledgment. “Of course, Miss Combs.”
“Right this way, please,” he said, gesturing for them to follow.
They walked past the glimmering chandeliers on the first floor and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
On the second floor, the waiter opened the door to a room and stepped aside. “This way, please.”
It was the restaurant’s finest private room, with breathtaking views of the ocean.
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