Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 323

A suffocating sense of dread filled the air.

Gaye recoiled, her neck shrinking into her shoulders, her earlier outburst dissolving into quiet, hiccuping sobs.

Mila said nothing. She forced a strained smile onto her face, trying to keep things calm as all eyes bore down on her. Gripping her mother's arm, she steered the woman out of the school.

She couldn't let Gaye cause another scene here.

Once outside the school gates, Mila realized it wasn't just her mother who had come for her. Her father, Simon Sutherland, and her uncle were there too.

It was obvious they hadn't come with good intentions.

Ignoring Gaye's complaints about booking a hotel, Mila instead reserved a private dining room at a nearby restaurant and led them all there.

She and Gaye arrived first.

The moment they stepped inside, Gaye clung to her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, Mila, after all these years with no word from you, I thought I'd lost you-l cried myself to sleep every night. Now that I see you're doing so well, I can finally rest easy."

She looked the picture of motherly affection, as if she hadn't just been threatening to kill herself and blaming her daughter back at the school.

Mila yanked her hand away, her voice cold. "Cut the act. Don't pretend to care- it's disgusting."

like that? I went through so much to bring you into this world and raise you, and instead of being grateful, you insult me?" Gaye's voice cracked as she

Gave birth to me? Raised

beaten to death by now-or worse, sold off to

Mila remain unmoved, Gaye's eyes flickered with calculation. She reached out to stroke Mila's yellow

here, aren't you? Why didn't you ever come home to tell us, let us stop

Mila shoved her away.

stumbled, stunned, her eyes instantly reddening. She turned and

at your daughter! After all these years, she's turned ungrateful-she even

lesson. Forgot how to respect your elders, have

He raised his hand and slapped hard. Mila jerked away, but his fingertips still caught her cheek, leaving a

It stung like fire.

her skull, sharp as knives. The room spun; nausea

herself-just in time to feel her scalp yanked backward. Her wool hat was torn

so soft. I'll just take it, thanks," Gaye said, running her fingers over the fabric. Her eyes drifted to

Mila dodged.

then. As soon as he saw her, his eyes lit up, yellowed from years of

grown up into a

down hard on his foot. As he howled in pain, she snatched a teacup off the table, smashed it,

blood oozed

slightest sign of danger, the bloodied shard aimed squarely at

are you really here?" she demanded. "Don't bother pretending. I know exactly what you