Chapter 469
“That’s right! I don’t want to do that for you!” Milford shot back fiercely. “You don’t deserve my kindness. You’re selfish and arrogant! Eileen is better than you in every way!”
At that, Zola’s anger boiled over, and she struck Milford with a furious slap.
Milford’s cheek was marked by a vivid red handprint, swollen.
“You’re all fooled, thinking she’s better than me. I’ll show you the cost of your betrayal!” Zola, her eyes bloodshot and fury unabated, began to hurl objects around the room.
Milford retreated to his room and grabbed his backpack, clearly intent on leaving.
Zola yelled, “I’ll go to Eileen if you’re not home on time. If you’re disobedient, I’ll hold her accountable for how she raised you!”
Milford clenched his fists, his glare burning into Zola before he scoffed and stormed out.
Zola was certain Milford would return.
Milford knew dragging Eileen into this would only complicate matters, and despite his clashes with Zola, he would return, enduring the situation for now.
After all, freedom loomed on the horizon. Once he graduated and was earning money on his own, he could escape Zola’s grasp.
Moonlight streamed into the room, casting a soft glow over Bryan’s face, his brows furrowed and his breathing shallow.
Trapped in a haunting dream, Bryan saw Eileen abandoning him, his frantic search for her futile and desperate.
The dream felt disconcertingly real.
Gabriela cried out in his arms, calling for Eileen, her tears rendering him helpless, a deep ache swelling in his chest.
Suddenly, Bryan grabbed Eileen’s wrist, jerking her awake. Her eyes, clear and calm, met his, still carrying the remnants of his nightmare.
The silence lingered for a few seconds. Before Eileen could voice her concerns, Bryan suddenly pulled her into a firm embrace.
His grip was unexpectedly strong, betraying a fear as if letting go would cause her to disappear.
Eileen responded by wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her ear against his chest to hear the rapid beat of his heart.
As Bryan’s fear subsided, he inhaled deeply and relaxed his embrace a little.
“Did you have a nightmare?” Eileen inquired, her voice soft. This seemed the only explanation for Bryan’s distress. “What was it? Did you dream that Gabriela got married?”
Bryan’s voice was a whisper. “I dreamed you were gone.”
Eileen’s heart fluttered. A simple dream had startled him to this extent?
“Where would I go, anyway?” Eileen soothed Bryan with a gentle pat on his back, joking, “I’ve already had Gabriela; where could I possibly escape to?”