Chapter 1169:
Her thoughts drifted back to her childhood, when her father’s stern words were always softened by her mother’s gentle reassurance.
“Millie, you’re incredible.”
“You’ve done a wonderful job. Your father is proud of you too—he just doesn’t know how to show it.”
“Look at this amazing work—oh, it’s our Millie who did that!”
Back then, Nicole had always showered her with praise. They would go out together to pick pastries and pretty dresses. Millie still remembered the time Nicole caught her wobbling around in a pair of grown-up heels. After that, Nicole had gone out of her way to order a custom pair just for her.
In those days, Nicole doted on her endlessly. Their bond had seemed unbreakable. Now, however, even Millie’s greatest accomplishments couldn’t bridge the silence that stretched between them.
“Mom…” Millie called out softly.
No answer came from inside.
Millie’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She took a deep breath, determined not to let them fall.
She lifted her gaze to the brilliant blue sky—perfect, cloudless, beautiful. Still, a single tear slipped down her cheek.
She quickly brushed it away.
Lowering her eyes to the ground, Millie gathered herself and murmured, “I’ll send some money to your account.” It was a ritual, repeated after every visit.
Years ago, she had vowed to look after her mother and make sure Nicole was always taken care of.
That promise was one she intended to keep, no matter what.
With that, Millie turned and walked away.
Inside the house, Nicole hesitated for just a moment as the sound of Millie’s heels faded, then returned to her routine as if nothing had happened.
Millie made her way home.
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Ari was still with her tutor, so Millie sat nearby, quietly watching her daughter.
She wished she knew how to heal the rift between herself and Nicole. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t figure out how to close that distance. When would she finally be able to call her “Mom” again?
The question lingered in Millie’s mind, haunting her day after day.
She kept wondering what it would take to change things.
Millie had been sitting there for quite some time, long enough for Ari’s classes to have already ended.
At some point, the little girl came over quietly.
“Millie,” Ari called softly, her voice full of concern.
“Are you upset about something?”
Millie didn’t answer right away. Instead, she reached out and gently brushed her fingertips against Ari’s cheek, feeling the softness of her skin.
Looking into Ari’s worried eyes, she asked in a calm voice, “Ari, do you ever get tired of learning all these things? Do you wish you had more time to just relax and play?”
Sometimes, Millie wondered if she had been pushing the girl too hard. After all, Ari was still just a child.
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.
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