Chapter 25

"You're hopeless, Brinley!" Brinley slapped her own cheeks in exasperation. "What on earth was I thinking,actually wanting to kiss Austin again? Stop it! Don't even go there!"

Yes, Austin had the kind of looks and physique that could make anyone's heart flutter, but she had no business letting such thoughts linger.

Just then, her phone, resting on the edge of the bathtub, lit up with a notification.

It was a message from Colin.

"Brinley, are you alright? I regret what happened before. I know it's far too late to be saying this now,but I need you to know l've thought a lot about my mistakes. Even if you never want to read my messages again, I still have to say I'm sorry."

Brinley stared at the screen for a moment before she turned off the screen, her face blank. She had no wish to see anything connected to Colin, let alone his hollow apology

The harm had already been done; just saying he was sorry could never mend it.

Brinley felt the exhaustion again, and the chill of the bathwater only deepened her dizziness.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she had drifted into sleep in the tub.

In her dream, she found herseIf reliving those two years with Colin.

They were back in the high-rise flat overlooking the river. Colin lounged on the sofa, but Milly was curled up in his arms, dressed in Brinley's nightgown,her smile coy as she snuggled against him.

The way Colin looked at Brinley was unlike anything she'd seen before-cold,indifferent,almost cruel.

"Brinley," he said softly, his voice strangely tender,"I love Milly. She's the one who truly fitsme,body and soul."

He ran a hand through Milly's hair, glaring at Brinley with disgust. "That's why I never touched you."

Brinley gasped awake, jerking upright in the water,her hair dripping cold against her shoulders.

It took her a second to realize it had only been a dream. The first light of dawn was creeping through the window, the bathroom lamp throwing a weak glow across her face.

Still shaken from the dream, Brinley could feel her stomach twist.

Wrapping herself in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom,heart still pounding.

Her eyes fell instinctively on the liquor cabinet in the living room.

A sudden urge for a drink tugged at her-not to bury her sorrow, but to ease the sick feeling in her chest.

She had just pulled open the cabinet when a deep voice came from behind. "Brinley."

Startled, she spun to find Austin leaning in the kitchen doorway, dressed in loungewear, dark circles under his eyes betraying a sleepless night.

"Why aren't you in bed?" she asked.

"I heard some noise," Austin replied simply, his eyes flicking to the bottle in her hand. He turned to fetch two glasses from the cupboard. "Want a drink?"

Brinley hesitated, then gave a small nod.

"Let's go to the rooftop," Austin suggested,taking the bottle from her. "The breeze will do you good."

The rooftop garden was alive with roses, their petals glistening faintly with dew. The early morning wind was damp and refreshing against the skin.

Austin uncorked the bottle, filling a glass for her and one for himself, though he didn't drink. He held his glass idly, eyes fixed on the skyline stretching out before them.

Brinley raised hers and downed it in a single gulp.

The rich taste hugged her tongue, its faint bitterness loosening the knot in her chest.

"Is this about Colin?" Austin asked suddenly, his voice wafting with the breeze.

Looking at him, Brinley scowled. "Do you honestly think I'd drink myself silly over an ex?"

"No," he replied with a shake of his head,a solemn expression on his face. "I just think something's weighing on you."

"Spare me the questions," Brinley snapped, snatching the bottle from him and refilling her glass. "If you're not up for keeping me company,you can just go."

Austin said nothing as he watched her take another gulp. He simnply lifted his glass and drank with her in silence.

Before long, the wine was gone.

Brinley's cheeks glowed red, her eyes starting to wander unfocused.

Normally, she could handle her liquor, but drinking on an empty stomach left her tipsy far too quickly.

"Colin's a bastard!" she blurted out, slurring as she swayed with the empty glass in her hand. "And Milly's no better! Two shameless cheats!"

Austin sat quietly and listened to her wvithout interruption.

"And you!" Brinley suddenly jabbed a finger at him,wobbling slightly. "Austin, you're an idiot! Out of all the women you could have chosen, why on earth did you marry me?"

Austin studied her flushed face and clouded eyes,fully aware she was far too drunk to recall this later.

A faint smile tugged at his lips, touched with helplessness but deepened wit tenderness.

Then he spoke quietly. "I've wanted to marry you since l was fourteen."

Tilting her head slightly, Brinley peered at him and muttered incoherently, "Huh? What was that?"

Austin knew she hadn't caught his words, but he continued anyway, voice low and wistful, "When I was fourteen, at that party in the Moores' house..."

His eyes drifted into the distance, as though seeing beyond the horizon. "It was the anniversary of my mother's death. My siblings cornered me, calling me a curse, a bringer of misfortune..."