Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 544

Mila had no idea what Sophia was thinking—and frankly, if she did, she'd probably just call it crazy. All these people treated others like they didn't even matter. It was just maddening.

By evening, after listening to Sophia rattle off her so-called "business

arrangements," Mila left the hospital in a daze. When she finally arrived home and opened the door, she found Cara crouched by the entryway, exhaustion etched across her face. The moment she saw Mila, Cara's expression shifted to barely contained excitement.

"Ms. Sutherland... you're back."

"Mom!"

Adrian came barreling into her.

The collision nearly knocked Mila off her feet; she had to grab the doorframe to steady herself before she finally managed to nod at Cara. "Thank you for looking after Adrian today. Why don't you stay for dinner? I can have someone drive you home afterward."

"Oh, no, no, that's really not necessary!"

Cara waved her hands in frantic refusal. The last thing she wanted was for her boss to cook for her. Realizing how abrupt she sounded, she hurried to correct herself: "Ms. Sutherland, I actually have dinner plans with a friend. You've had a long day-please, get some rest. I don't want to trouble you."

She grabbed her bag and all but ran out the door, her retreat so hasty it was as if she feared being caught in some awkward scene of Mila scolding her child.

Only after Mila led Adrian into the main hall did she suddenly understand Cara's reaction. The living room looked like a tornado had swept through. Throw pillows were on the floor, books stacked in odd places, toys everywhere.

No wonder Cara had looked so frazzled. Judging by the mess, she'd spent the whole day cleaning up after Adrian-and probably being run ragged in the process.

Mila's gaze shifted to her son.

Adrian stared up at her with wide, innocent eyes. When he saw her looking, he glanced away, then quickly back again, hands on his hips, trying to look affronted. "Mom, you left me home alone today. It was so boring."

had Miss Cara

to

let out a sigh. After a day full of shocks, she didn't have the energy to discipline him. She offered a few words of comfort and retreated to the kitchen, her

Cara to babysit again-Cara probably wouldn't agree even if she did. Yet Mila didn't trust anyone else, and the only other option was sending Adrian to the Montgomerys. But she'd promised Jade she'd let Adrian

that. Mila knew there was no reasoning with someone like Cossio; she'd tried already, to no

person

Forrest Whitmore.

night at the Pembroke house that he didn't like Forrest at all. No matter how much Mila

This couldn't go on.

"Adrian."

and broached the subject, choosing her words carefully. "I'll be pretty busy these next few days and won't have much time during the day. How about you let Mr. Whitmore take you out? Maybe you two

the two of

It was

without missing a

up the

it back into her bowl, making his opinion clear without a word. Mila stared at him, speechless for a moment, then sighed and put the drumstick back. "If you don't want to, just say

said bluntly, "I don't want

Mila asked,

be scared. If you don't like him, you need to give me a reason.

twisting with indecision. Finally, he asked, "Mom, do you

about you right now," Mila

with his fork, silent for a long moment. Then, barely above a whisper, he said, "I don't like him. I hate him. I don't... I don't want a stepdad." His voice got smaller and smaller as he

A stepdad?

caught off guard. That was

this was her chance to see how Adrian really felt about