Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 309

"Hang on, I'll be right there!"

Fresh out of the shower, Mila called back as she towel-dried her hair, her voice carrying a hint of cheerfulness.

Sensing Archie's impatience from beyond the door, she hurried her pace-pulling on the lightweight pink-and-black windbreaker she'd grabbed at the highway rest stop, giving her hair a quick rub, and heading over to let him in.

"Ready?" she asked, swinging the door open.

Archie blinked in surprise when he saw her. "Why's your hair still wet?"

"It's fine. Let's just go get our stuff."

"No way. It's still raining outside, and you just got over a fever. The roads ahead are way tougher than anything we've done so far. If you get sick again now, we're toast."

Under Archie's unwavering insistence, Mila retreated and dutifully blow-dried her hair, bundling up before stepping back out.

The two of them had already mapped out a thorough supply list-thanks to online travel guides and advice from seasoned road-trippers-so they made a beeline for the biggest outdoor sports store in town.

Their main haul:

Tents, sleeping bags, UV-protection sunglasses, a first aid kit, trekking poles, and other hiking essentials.

and food supplies, grabbed portable chargers, a digital altimeter, a pile of handy car tools, and thick clothes with

canisters—just in case. Sure, driving allowed for some adjustment, but it

they enjoyed one last meal in Magnolia Harbor. They inspected the SUV, updated the in-car GPS, and downloaded offline maps just in case they lost signal in the

they were ready to

roared to life on the wide, open

dressed in all black, slid behind the wheel and shot Mila a grin, his energy infectious. "Well, cousin, are

her tone cool and steady. She'd grown used to Archie's teenage bravado, but even

She'd had adventures before.

nothing quite

...

felt so

out her brand-new camera-one she'd splurged on during their gear run-and snapped a picture of the endless road unfurling

But Mila was just as eager to experience the breathtaking mountains and vibrant

upcoming summer International Fashion Week. This was her big

This year's Fashion Week had two main themes-one inspired by rubies, the other by landscapes. Mila would need to design

be her first public

fame a turning point that could define the rest of her

had her eye on was snatched up at auction by Lysander and given to Giselle Harvey, so her

was the

couldn't be

her camera, Mila stared out at the endless highway. Sunlight spilled across her