Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 459 "No, no." Mila repeated it twice, biting her lower lip as she pulled her mother into her arms, holding her tightly, helpless and powerless all at once. "Can we not go to Florence? Please, Mom, let's not go. I don't want to." The woman in her arms finally let out a sigh of relief, though her face was still etched with confusion and resignation. "Alright, alright, we won't go if you don't want to. Don't cry, sweetheart. I'll do as you say." But Mila didn't feel any better.

She could stop Felicity now, but the past was out of her reach. She couldn't go back and stop that eighteen-year- old girl. Back then, Felicity had definitely gone.

Outside the studio, in the shadowy corridor, Conrad leaned against the wall, listening to the voices inside. He covered his eyes with his arm, silent for a long, long time.

It took Mila until well past midnight to coax Felicity-who was still wired from the medication-into bed. But now Felicity insisted on sharing a bed with Mila, refusing point-blank to let Conrad sleep with her.

Wrapped up tightly in the covers, Felicity eyed Conrad with grave determination. "We're engaged, not married yet! I don't know how you convinced my parents to let you lockup in your house, but I'm really angry with you! I'm not sleeping with you! Go away!" She'd completely forgotten she was married.

Forgotten she had a husband.

Even forgotten she had a child.

To show just how angry she was, Felicity hurled a pillow at Conrad. He just stood there with a resigned look, not even trying to dodge, and let her throw as many as she liked.

Mila paused in the doorway, watching with undisguised fascination.

Thinking about it, it all made sense.

Even without considering the Montgomerys, Felicity's own family was prominent. She'd been the pampered little sister growing up, with only one doting older brother and a childhood spent in the company of Conrad. They'd gotten engaged as soon as she turned eighteen, and up until then, she'd never faced a real setback.

No wonder she was spoiled. But she was sweet-natured, and her spirited ways were more endearing than anything else. Who would've expected that she'd hit such a devastating low later in life? That she'd end up like this.

The more Mila thought about it, the angrier she felt.

Costruly was despicable.

Inside the room, after taking a couple more pillows and stuffed animals to the face, Conrad finally moved. He grabbed Felicity-blanket and all-and pulled her into his arms, messing up her hair in protest. When she tried to hit him, he caught her fists and showered her with kisses and playful bites.

"Hey!" Felicity shouted, furious.

Mila, lost in thought, heard Felicity's shriek and instinctively started to rush in to help-then caught sight of the scene and beat a hasty, blushing retreat.

For heaven's sake, give your elders sprivacy! She'd already been mortified after seeing those paintings at Cossio's place. The last thing she needed was to witness this. Sboundaries were necessary.

"I'm relying on you to keep an eye on her tonight Conrad said a few minutes later. He emerged from the room, hair and clothes disheveled, a few scratch marks on his face but looking entirely unbothered-no trace of embarrassment at being caught by the younger generation. Mila could only marvel inwardly: This must be ssort of Montgomery family tradition-their legendary thick skin.

"Don't worry, I will," she replied.

Conrad didn't seem the least bit concerned.

He didn't understand why Felicity had forgotten so much-so many people and so many memories-yet she still remembered Mila, whom she'd met much later. Right now, Mila was her closest friend, the person she trusted most. From the very start, Mila had always been special to her.

And she still was.

Thankfully, Mila had never let her down.

It was late. The only light in the bedroom cfrom a small night lamp. Mila lay beside Felicity, exhausted but aware that Felicity was still wide awake. She decided to strike up a conversation, hoping it would help lull her to sleep.

"Do you not like your fiancé?" Mila asked softly.

Felicity turned over, face clouded with displeasure. "It's not that. I'm just angry. He keepslocked up, won't letgo anywhere, always saying this is dangerous, that's dangerous. Honestly, what era does he think we live in? I'm an adult!" "He's just worried about you." "I know! That's why I didn't sneak out or anything m fine with waiting for him to have tbefore we go abroad together, but not being allowed out at all? That's just ridiculous." Felicity fumed, "Tomorrow, I'm telling el I'm want to call off the engagement. done with Conrad!" Mila was speechless.

She'd only meant to keep Felicity company through her insomnia, not get roped into the middle of this... crisis. And to think, as her ex-father-in-law, she was now stuck in the most bizarre marital she'd ever seen.

It was over before it even started.

Mila was about to step in and try to smooth things over when Felicity suddenly snuggled into her arms, yawning."Let's not talk about that jerk anymore. Mila, what about you? Your fiancé-have you heard from him lately?" Mila froze. Her fiancé? What fiancé? Wasn't this just memory loss? How had Felicity gotten so mixed up... Did she ever even have a fiancé? Had she?

The thought sent a fresh wave of anxiety through her. Maybe she should have the doctor cin 'again tomorrow. If Felicity's memory got any more jumbled, she could end up with a full-blown personality split.

That would be a disaster.

As Mila was worrying, Felicity finally began to drift off, her voice growing softer and sleepier. "You know, that guy with the foxlike eyes? Didn't you say he hasn't contacted you in ages? Unbelievable. He even camedooking for Conrad yesterday. Still hasn't reached out to you? Next time, I'll have Conrad tie him up and-" Her words trailed off as sleep claimed her, her breathing growing slow and even.

But in the darkness, Mila's eyes flew wide open, a flicker of fear crossing her face. What... What did she mean by that?