Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 326

The lights in the apartment glowed a soft, golden yellow, and the world outside seemed to hold its breath. Everything was silent.

The man in front of her froze, staring blankly for a long moment, as if he hadn't quite registered what she'd just said. When he finally spoke, his voice was distant, almost dazed.

"What did you say?"

Mila repeated herself. Her cheeks were flushed, burning with a mix of shame and guilt as she laid out the situation at home-every awkward, painful detail. She kept her head down, unable to meet his eyes.

If she'd had a choice, she would have buried those memories forever. But now, if she wanted his help, she had to be honest. She had to explain everything.

"I know," she whispered. "My family's a mess. There's always some drama, always trouble. I honestly don't know what else to do. If we get married, I promise I'll keep you out of it as much as I can. I'll be good to you. I just... I really need this marriage certificate..."

The words tumbled out, rushed and clumsy.

The more she spoke, the more hopeless she felt. The gap between them was painfully clear-when she really thought about it, she realized she brought nothing but trouble. Why would Forrest ever agree to this? Why would he marry her?

A vague promise to be good to him-why should he believe her?

Mila lowered her head even further, her voice dying in her throat. She felt numb, bracing herself for rejection.

Would they even be able to stay friends after this?

Suddenly, she wanted to cry.

But instead of the rejection she expected, she heard his voice-gentle, slightly husky.

"Could you give me some time?"

"What?" she blurted, startled. Her mind went blank. She lifted her head and saw

the haze of steam rising

quietly: "Christmas is almost here. Can I give you my

He hadn't said no.

was going to think

...

waiting was its own kind of

weeks until Christmas, and every day brought a new onslaught

on her, as

echoing above her. Every night, she woke in a cold sweat, unable to

even posted in forums, asking how to

it

greedy-she wanted

arrived faster than

sudden issue at her family's business, Miranda-who'd been

school for ages-finally returned, flinging her arms around Mila and launching into a string of complaints. But her

made it! Tonight, I'm cutting loose!” Miranda

a Christmas ball at the cultural center, co-organized with several well-known international schools-a night of cultural

the thought of

to rally, dressing up more carefully than usual. She and Miranda headed to the party together, but Forrest was nowhere to be found. Act after

Just then, Forrest messaged her: Meet me

grabbed two drinks and started towards the crowd-only

see Lysander, dressed in an immaculate suit, blocking her way. His

"Where are you going?"

She tried to step around, but he grabbed her arm, making her nearly spill

the glasses tighter. "What are you

gaze flicked to the drinks in her hand. Maybe he guessed whom she was meeting. With a snort, he said, "Mila, are you really sure about

confused. She tried to pull away, but suddenly both glasses were snatched