### Chapter 7 Millie's finger hovered over the screen, yet she didn’t click on anything else. It felt futile, a trivial endeavor; soon, once the ink dried on her divorce papers, Brandon would belong to her past. Time dragged slowly as she glanced at the clock on the wall. Just as she neatly collected her thoughts, the familiar figure of Alexia emerged from the distance. “How are you holding up?” Alexia asked, concern etched across her features. “Any pain?” Despite the strain evident on Millie's face, she offered a small smile and shook her head. There was a calm determination blossoming within her; some battles had to be confronted head-on. Alexia, perceptive as always, hesitated for a moment, then reached out, helping Millie to her feet with gentle strength. Together, they made their way to the elevator. The hum of fluorescent lights accompanied them, as did the weight of unspoken words. When the elevator doors slid open on the ground floor, chaos greeted them. The hospital lobby buzzed with energy, more crowded than Millie had ever seen. Among the throngs of visitors, her keen eyes caught sight of a few reporters huddled together, whispering earnestly. “So many people today,” Alexia remarked, shaking her head. “Probably another celebrity here for a check-up. They sure do attract a crowd…” Her words faded into a silence as the realization hit her like a cold wave; she caught a glimpse of something—and instantly her demeanor shifted. She tried to redirect Millie, her urgency palpable. But it was too late; Millie had already locked eyes on the source of the commotion. There he stood—Brandon. He towered amidst the throng, effortlessly commanding the attention of everyone around him. Despite the frantic energy in the air, he remained an island of calm, his hair meticulously styled and his suit sharp enough to cut through the noise of the crowd. It was as if the chaos conspicuously avoided him. Beside him, Vivian appeared a stark contrast—a fragile figure, the pallor of her skin giving away her vulnerability. She swayed slightly, and without hesitation, Brandon reached out to catch her, positioning himself as a barrier between her and the clamoring cameras, a protector in a storm. “Don’t look,” Alexia said quickly, her voice sharp with indignation as she stepped in front of Millie, a determined shield against the scene unfolding before them. “Alexia, let’s just go,” Millie replied, her tone unwavering, her heart resolute. She had made up her mind; Brandon didn’t need to know she was here, and each moment spent lingering felt like a step backward into the life she was leaving behind. “Why should we leave?” Alexia shot back, the anger boiling within her. “You’re not divorced yet! He’s still your husband, and here he is, treating another woman like it’s nothing. It’s disgraceful.” That word—husband—sent a bitter chill through Millie. She averted her gaze, a sigh escaping her lips as she gave voice to her thoughts. Once, the mere idea of Brandon as her husband brought warmth to her heart. But those days were long gone. “I don’t feel well, Alexia. Let’s just go,” she insisted, the urgency of her desire to escape bubbling to the surface. With that gentle nudge, Alexia turned her full attention to Millie, finally breaking her fixation on Brandon and Vivian. Together, they briskly exited the lobby, the world outside bustling with life only added to Millie's turmoil. Across the lobby, Vivian caught a glimpse of them, her expression briefly hardening before softening. A fleeting flicker of pride danced in her eyes as she tuned back into the moment. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I didn’t mean to drag you into this mess,” she murmured, regret curling around her words. “I know you hate being in the spotlight…” And in that chaos, the threads of their lives intertwined and disentangled with lives of their own, leaving Millie to wonder how she would find the strength to navigate the new path before her.