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

through the haze of steam rising

"Christmas is almost here. Can I give you my answer at the

He hadn't said no.

was going to think about

...

its own

still two weeks until Christmas, and every day brought a new onslaught of calls and texts from her parents, each more insistent than

everyone's eyes on her,

harsh accusations, voices echoing above her. Every

began searching the internet for anything she could find about families, marriage-she even posted in forums, asking how to convince a man to marry you. The things she

of it stayed with

she was greedy-she wanted to cling to this slim chance

arrived faster than

at her family's business, Miranda-who'd

arms around Mila and

made it! Tonight, I'm cutting

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

but the thought of finally getting Forrest's answer gave her a burst of

to rally, dressing up more carefully than usual. She and Miranda headed to the party together,

Forrest messaged her: Meet me by the dance

then grabbed two drinks and started towards the crowd-only

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

"Where are you going?"

step around, but he grabbed her arm, making her nearly spill her

the glasses tighter. "What are you

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

to pull away, but suddenly both