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.

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

canisters—just in case. Sure,

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

they were ready to hit

roared to life on

the wheel and shot Mila a grin, his energy infectious. "Well,

Archie's teenage bravado, but even she couldn't deny a flutter of anticipation beneath

She'd had adventures before.

nothing quite

...

felt so

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

gathering of renowned scholars. But Mila was just as eager to experience the breathtaking mountains and vibrant cultures

summer International Fashion Week.

inspired by rubies, the other by landscapes. Mila would need to design two collections, each reflecting one of the themes, to present on

be her first public debut before the

point that could define the rest of her career. And for that,

auction by Lysander and given to

road trip was the perfect opportunity to

be a

spilled across her delicate features, gilding her eyes with a warm,