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

at her through the haze of steam rising

here. Can I give you my answer

He hadn't said no.

was going to think about

...

its own

until Christmas, and every day brought a new onslaught

campus, Mila felt everyone's eyes on her, as if

dreams were filled with harsh accusations, voices echoing above her. Every night, she woke in a cold

long, sleepless hours, she began searching the internet for anything she could find about families, marriage-she even posted in forums, asking how to convince a

some of it stayed

life, she was greedy-she wanted to cling to this slim chance with everything she

arrived faster than she

issue at

around Mila and launching into

Tonight, I'm cutting loose!”

center, co-organized with several well-known

in the mood, but the thought of finally getting Forrest's answer

Miranda headed to the party together, but Forrest was nowhere

was time for the dance. Just then, Forrest messaged her: Meet me by the dance floor. Mila's

started towards the

Lysander, dressed in an immaculate suit, blocking her way. His sharp, fox-like eyes were fixed

"Where are you going?"

tonight. She tried to step around, but he

glasses tighter. "What

Maybe he guessed whom she was meeting. With a snort, he said, "Mila, are you

him, confused. She tried to pull away, but suddenly both