Chapter 370:

The space was packed. The crowd moved together, the dim lights pulsing in time with the music. Surrounding the floor were booths, and in one of them, someone suddenly spat out his drink in shock.

“What’s wrong with you?!” someone beside him asked, annoyed.

“Look! Isn’t that Millie? Brandon’s wife?” the man said, pointing toward the dance floor. People turned.

Sure enough, there she was—laughing, dancing, completely at ease.

“Well, they’re both living wildly!” someone muttered.

“Brandon’s having a candlelit dinner with Vivian, and Millie’s here partying! Isn’t that Charles with her?”

“Looks like it.”

Whispers spread like wildfire.

At that moment, Brandon’s car pulled up in front of Vivian’s apartment building. He was just planning to drop her off and then head over to meet Darden. But Vivian didn’t get out right away.

“Brandon,” she said softly.

He looked at her.

“Would you like to come in for a bit?” she asked, cheeks flushed. “You’re free now… so maybe we could…”

Brandon understood exactly what Vivian meant. But right now, he simply wasn’t in the mood.

He had just gone through a divorce. Romance, let alone sex, was the last thing on his mind. At the moment, all he wanted was some peace and quiet. He didn’t want to think about anything else.

As that thought settled, he found himself relieved that he had agreed to meet Darden at the Blue Lounge, which now gave him the perfect excuse.

“I promised Darden I’d stop by,” he said finally. “You’re not feeling well anyway. You should head up and rest.”

Vivian looked at him, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Brandon, are you really not just making excuses? Or is it that… you still have feelings for Millie?”

Her voice wavered as her eyes began to well with tears. “If you don’t want me, just say so. Go back to her, then. I think she’d still take you.”

Brandon exhaled slowly, running a hand gently through her hair. “Vivian, I’m already divorced. That was my decision. I didn’t hesitate.”

She looked away, her expression wounded. Brandon reached for his phone and showed her the earlier message from Darden.

“See? I’m not making excuses. Just give me some time, alright?” he said quietly. “I need space to clear my head.”

Vivian glanced at the message and then down at her hands, visibly guilty.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I thought…”

“It’s okay. Just go get some rest.” Brandon gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Vivian hesitated but then gave a small nod.

She opened the door and stepped out of the car. Turning back, she looked at him, her eyes red. “I’ll wait for you,” she said sincerely. “Until I can’t anymore.”

Brandon didn’t reply right away. He just nodded and said, “Good night.”

Vivian turned and walked into the building.

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