Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 476

Mila Sutherland had always harbored suspicions about Eugene Montgomery's parentage. Though she had no proof, there were enough hints to make her wonder. Still, there was never any confirmation, and Eugene didn't show even a trace of mixed heritage. So she kept her doubts to herself, locked away where no one else could see.

Regardless of whether his lineage was truly in question, one thing was certain: Felicity Fontaine, in her current condition, couldn't possibly be told she had two more children. The shock would be far too much-there was no way she could let them meet.

A heavy silence fell between them.

"Is Mom really that sick?" Eugene's voice was calm as he lifted his head from Mila's shoulder, but the tear-streaks on his cheeks betrayed how close he'd come to falling apart.

There was no use pretending. Mila could only nod, forcing out the words, "She... doesn't really recognize people anymore."

Even if he saw her, it wouldn't change anything. It would only deepen the hurt.

"I just want to see her, Mila. It's been so long since I've seen Mom." Eugene's resolve remained unshaken. If anything, knowing how bad things were only made him more desperate.

In years past-every Christmas, every holiday-he'd been allowed to visit the old manor, to see his mother. They'd barely exchanged a few words, but those brief meetings had been something he looked forward to. But this year-no, for nearly two years now-he hadn't set foot in the old house. Every holiday, the family patriarch or the butler would call, telling him not to come.

He wasn't even allowed a glimpse of his mother.

As long as the Montgomerys refused, as long as they didn't want him there, he couldn't get anywhere near her. He just didn't understand what had he done wrong? Was it because he wasn't truly a Montgomery? But even if that were the case, wasn't he still Felicity's son?

It wasn't until Johnnie arrived that he understood.

that's how

to hear what others thought; he needed to know what she felt, to ask her himself-did she really hate him? Did she wish he'd never been

from her lips.

not be

idea formed in

don't want me around. Maybe Mom doesn't want to see me, either. But I miss her. I just want to see

long pause, she sighed, her voice hoarse from the earlier conversation. Instead of speaking, she grabbed her phone and typed out a message for

but if it doesn't work out..." She could have used the house assistant to dictate for her, but in this moment, the harsh electronic

if it doesn't work,

her lips together, her heart twisting. She finally steeled herself and said, "If you

know. I won't

managed a faint smile, his

could only fall

another day to recover at home. The bruises on her neck hadn't faded, but the pain in

of medicine, sol

a few days-then she could finally

isolation was making her worse. But Conrad Montgomery watched things

see his mother from afar. The manor was out of the question. Maybe somewhere outside. If Conrad refused, there was nothing she could do. All she

she got back to work on her sketches. She also messaged

got a reply, she was