Chapter 21
Terrence never raised his voice at Millie, but today, he was extra harsh on her.
Millie’s family seemed distressed upon realizing she failed to get divorced.
“Dad, can I not go? I swear to you guys I’ll divorce Winston for sure.
Millie reeled in her stubbornness.
Terrence didn’t answer, which meant it was a definite no.
‘But won’t my date mind it if I haven’t gotten divorced yet?” Millie pouted.
He won’t!” Terrence’s response came with an unwavering confidence.
Millie’s lips tugged into a thin line. She wondered if her blind date was as dimwitted as Henry for willingly taking her on a date, even after knowing her husband was Winston. Whoever that man was must’ve lost his mind.
“Millie, you know this man, and he admires a lot. You two complement each other well. Can’t you do as I say just this once?” Terrence’s tone softened slightly.
Upon hearing Terrence ask her to comply with this once, Millie realized she had been a poorly behaved child all this while. After all, what Terrence said was no different from begging her. Still, Millie didn’t want to go on a blind date.
“Dad, I know you guys are doing this for my sake and want me to break free from this wretched life. I’ll fix myself up…” Millie spoke with the utmost sincerity.
The relationship had worn her out so much that she had no strength to interact with others.
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A sigh came from Arthur. “Terrence, don’t force Mills if she’s unwilling.”
“But Dad, she-” Terrence wanted to say more.
However, Arthur frowned as if saying, “Why? Do my words mean nothing to you?”
Terrence patted his thighs, then turned to go to the study.
“Thanks, Grandpa,” Millie whispered meekly.
Arthur shook his head. “Millie, one shouldn’t wallow in their pit of darkness forever. You need to get out of it soon.”
Millie nodded. “Okay.”
She had just said that when a chime came from her phone. Looking down, she saw a notification for the latest entertainment news
article.
The headline read, “Netizens obsessed as Lowell Group’s heiress posts romantic photo on Instagram!”
Millie wanted to dismiss the notification but couldn’t resist clicking
it.
The caption on Joanna’s post read, “My love.”
It came with a photo of her leaning against a man’s chest, and the background was of the sea.
The man donned a suit and tie. He had one arm around Joanna’s shoulders while the latter leaned close into his arms.
Although the man’s face wasn’t in the picture, Millie could easily tell it was Winston. From his hand to the way he dressed, there wasn’t a single detail she felt unfamiliar with.
Winston had accompanied Joanna to the beach. He did the one thing
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Millie always wanted with Joanna.
Millie gripped her phone tighter as her eyes burned. She had always wanted Winston to go to the beach with her, but he always refused. Yet, Winston didn’t mind going to the beach when it came to Joanna,
his lover.
“Actually, that blind date your dad told you about earlier is pretty decent,” Arthur reminded Millie.
Millie looked up at him while a tear slid down the corner of her eye. I understand, Grandpa.”
At the beach, Joanna scrolled past the comments and giggled. Look, Win! Many people are giving us their blessings!”
Winston was reading a message from Eli. When he heard what Joanna said, he glanced at her phone and asked, “You posted it on Instagram?”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t show your face,” said Joanna with a merry lilt.
Winston frowned. He often told Joanna not to post about him on social media, yet she never listened.
“Win, my family is planning to give a Snowdrop plant to your grandma for her birthday,” Joanna suddenly said.
Winston met her gaze.
Joanna hugged his arm before continuing sternly. “This time, I’m determined to make Mrs. Greer Senior accept me.”
Winston felt bad for Joanna, who didn’t do anything wrong but was always disapproved of by his family because of Millie’s presence.
“It’s rare to come across a Snowdrop,” he said.
“Yeah. My entire family has been racking their brains to obtain it.‘
Joanna gazed at Winston. She grazed his face with her fingertips as she spoke warmly. “I’ve suffered so much scrutiny these past three years for liking you, Win. I hope I can become your wife this year.”
Winston held her gaze while nodding. “You will.”
Joanna beamed once she heard that. As she stared into his eyes, she suddenly had a bold idea.
She reached upward to get closer to Winston. Alas, she was about to kiss him when his head whipped in the other direction, and he hugged her instead.
Joanna froze in shock while being hugged. She was trying to process whether Winston had dodged her kiss.
In the past three years, he never touched or kissed her.
Joanna always assumed he was keeping a respectful distance to protect her. That said, why did he avoid her now when she made the first move?
Winston gazed down at her while petting her hair. He explained, “Jo, you’re the Lowell family’s heiress. I won’t touch you before we get married.”
He didn’t know why, but he had no desire to be intimate with Joanna. Although he considered being intimate with her before, he could never bring himself to actually do it.
On the other hand, he felt an inexplicable attraction to Millie. It made him lose control several times despite him always having strong self–control. He seemed to resist Joanna more ever since he kissed Millie at that club.
Joanna blinked innocently while her heart shriveled bitterly. Then, she wrapped both arms around his neck and exhaled her warm breath against his skin. “I’m not afraid, Win.”
She was fine with him touching her.
“Don’t be like this, Jo.” Winston pried her arms off him. He frowned and a hint of impatience formed in his eyes.
Joanna instantly felt a blow to her pride. She had given herself to him, but he coldly turned her down. Was it because he looked down on her for it?
Her eyes reddened at once, and she asked in a small, cautious voice. “Do you… not like me?”
She believed he wouldn’t be able to resist touching her if he loved her.
“Joanna, don’t keep doubting my feelings for you.” Winston hated it. the most when Joanna doubted him.
The two had always argued when it came to this topic..
As time passed, Joanna felt Winston reacted that way because he had a guilty conscience. That had to be why he’d argue against her.
She lowered her head and spoke like she was wronged. “Win, I truly love you. I’ve been very understanding of you.” a
“I know.”
“Don’t make me give up on you.” Joanna sounded choked up.
Winston’s thoughts snapped to Millie when he heard that.
Millie had told him, “Winston, I’ve been in love with you for seven years, but now I realize it’s time for me to give up.”
Winston gulped, feeling an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. He noticed the scar on Joanna’s back from the corner of his eye. She had gotten that scar from saving him.
“I’ll settle the divorce after Grandma’s birthday is over. You and I can get married right away.” He made a new promise to her.
Back then, he’d only said they’d get married eventually. However, he was now declaring the marriage would happen after his divorce. It was a huge promise in Joanna’s eyes.
Sunlight bounced off the sea, making it sparkle while the summer’s evening breeze blew pleasantly against them.
Joanna leaned against Winston’s chest and enjoyed the sea view before her. She gave him a solemn nod, anticipation building within
her.
“I recently discovered a new restaurant with yummy food, Win. Wanna go there with me tomorrow night?” she asked.
“Sure.”
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