Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

As long as no outsiders barge in, Felicity will be safe here.

Mila nodded, though she couldn't quite shake her worry. Cossio was too good at hiding-lurking in the shadows, no one knew where he might turn up or what he'd do if he realized Felicity was here.

Damn it.

She was so angry, she could have throttled Lysander right then and there.

What on earth was he playing at?

Mila drew a deep breath, steadied herself, and stepped over to where Felicity was fussing with Conrad. Gently, she took Felicity's hand and smiled, her voice soft and warm. "Sweetheart, the engagement party doesn't start for a while. There's a little video of me and my fiancé that's going to play later would you like to watch it with us before everyone else sees?"

Cara passed her laptop over.

Felicity's memory was a jumbled mess these days, her mind as unsteady as a child's, easily led and distracted. In no time at all, she forgot about Conrad, hurrying off to the corner with Cara, excited to see Mila's engagement video.

The atmosphere in the room turned icy.

Mila regarded Conrad with a level, cold stare. "Chairman Montgomery, what exactly are you doing here? Are you aware that taking her out like this could cause serious problems?"

He gave a careless glance at Forrest. "It looks pretty safe to me," he replied.

He turned back to Mila. "Relax. I'm not here to sabotage your engagement. Sweetheart wanted to see you-she insisted, so I brought her. After all, I used to be your elder. I suppose I still am."

Elder? Mila didn't budge.

Her tone sharpened. "Was it really her insistence, or did you make sure she found out? Covering things up is an old Montgomery family specialty, isn't it? You've kept bigger secrets for years-this would have been nothing."

There was no way Felicity could have shown up here without some father-son scheming behind the scenes.

"She's your wife," Conrad said.

Mila's temper flared. "And your so-called devotion in the past-was it all for show? Or is this how it works in the Montgomery family, using people as you please and not caring who gets hurt?"

For a long time, she'd believed Conrad was different. He'd always treated Felicity with genuine care, never just a little, but now-knowing Cossio was lurking, still he waltzed in with Felicity as if nothing could touch them. Was he just using her now?

Of course. The Montgomerys never truly cared about anyone.

She clenched her jaw, eyes flashing cold.

Seated comfortably on the sofa, Conrad's expression darkened. The water in his delicate teacup rippled as he tightened his grip. His voice was low and hard. "Mila, don't meddle in family matters you don't understand."

"I don't have family like you," Mila shot back, not bothering to hide her disdain. "Now, please leave. You should have known all along the Montgomerys aren't welcome at my engagement party."

"Are you sure? Conrad's gaze

drifted over to Felicity, who was laughing with Cara over the video. His features softened for a moment as he set down his cup. "Mila, whether you believe it or noto Felicity wanted to be here. She wanted to see you find happiness again. I have no intention of ruining this event. Truth is, I never thought you and Lysander were a good match, but he wanted you, so I went along with it."

He paused, then continued, "Whatever happened in your marriage to Lysander,

that was between you and him. Over the years, have Felicity and I ever treated you badly? Did we ever make things harder for you? And now you speak to me like this."

Mila fell silent.

Her marriage to Lysander was a tangled mess, impossible to unravel-better to cut the knot than keep trying. But looking past

Lysander, none of the Montgoel

elders had ever truly made things difficult for her. They were cold at times, yes, but never cruel. They gave her what she was owed, especially Felicity. The only real harm they'd done was to turn a blind eye-to ignore what Lysander did to her.

But not quite ignore it. Sometimes, they'd still show her kindness.

That was the truly unbearable part. She almost wished they'd been openly hostile from the start-then she could have been done with them for good, with no regrets.

But they hadn't. And that was the problem.

Mila stood in silence for a long moment.

Forrest, his eyes hidden behind rimless glasses, glanced around the room before speaking up. "Chairman Montgomery, Mimi and I would prefer you not attend our engagement. If you insist on staying, don't blame us if things get ugly."

With that, he took Mila's hand and led her out, not caring anymore what happened inside.

Only when they reached the hallway did he gently tip Mila's chin up, brushing back a stray lock from her cheek and straightening the silk flowercrown on her head. Smiling, he whispered, "Look at me, love. crown's about to fall off."

Your

Mila, who'd been close to tears, suddenly smiled. "It won't fall."

He chuckled softly. "Things have come this far-let's stick to our plan. Don't be

afraid."

"...Alright."

She hesitated, but nodded.noveldrama

If the Montgomery family insisted on forcing her hand, then so be it. She'd shatter

every last tie, leaving no room for reconciliation.

Even if it meant they'd become enemies from this day forward.