Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 471 "Absolutely not!" She could recognize that kid even if he turned to ashes. When Leonard made it clear he wasn't going in, Mila stopped pushing. Ignoring the stares from strangers, she stood outside the restroom and called out, "Eugene, I see you. If you have something to say, cout and talk to me. If you keep hiding, I'm coming in after you!" With that, she stepped closer and called again, her voice rough and ragged, the metallic taste of blood spreading in her mouth.

"I'm coming in to find you." Worried she'd hurt her throat, Leonard stopped her and was about to go in himself when a teenager in black sweats and white sneakers finally emerged from the restroom. The moment Eugene met Mila's eyes, he looked away, guilt written all over him, and his own voice cout hoarse.

"Hey, sis." After a quick rundown of what happened-turned out Eugene had gotten drunk and thrown the first punch-Mila didn't argue. She simply paid for the damages to the bar at market value and led Eugene out.

The car ride back was silent.

They pulled up outside the small villa Jade kept in the city. Mila got out with Eugene and headed inside.

Leonard didn't follow. He just stood there watching the boy trail after Mila, a frown creasing his brow. What trouble was Eugene getting into now? Inside, Mila found the first-aid kit and had Eugene sit on the couch. She cleaned and treated the shallow cuts on his hands and face, her expression stern. "Why were you drinking? And why did you get into a fight?" God knows how shocked she was to see, from the security footage, that it was him who started it. The kid who'd always been gentle and obedient with her- she'd never imagined he had this side to him. The whole drive home, her faith in him had been shaken, and she'd barely spoken.

"Hey, sis." Eugene's eyes darted away from hers, but when he caught sight of the bruise on her neck, he froze. His lashes dropped, hiding the sudden storm in his eyes, and his tone shifted. "Who did that to you? The mark on your neck..." "Oh, that?" Mila waved it off. "Just ran into slunatic. It's nothing. Right now, we're talking about you!" "A lunatic?" Eugene's gaze darkened.

"Let's stay on topic. Why the drinking and the fighting? Did something happen recently?" Mila couldn't help but cough after speaking a few words.

"Don't talk anymore, sis." Noticing her scratchy throat, Eugene tried to stop her, but then hesitated. "But could you... not ask about my business?" "What?" Mila frowned.

"Listen, sis." Eugene bit his lip, finally making up his mind. Something's happened lately. I've been in a bad place, drank too much, and messed up. I promise it won't happen again, but... can you please just let it go?" Mila studied him for a long moment before quietly asking, "...Is it something I'm not allowed to know?" "It is." Eugene hung his head. "I don't want to lie to you. I can only promise-when I've figured it out, you'll be the first person I tell." "I'm sorry, sis." "There's nothing to be sorry for!" Mila, whose mood had been in tatters all day, suddenly broke into a genuine smile. Her eyes crinkled with both relief and worry as she ruffled his slightly curling hair.

"If you don't want to talk, you don't have to. Everyone has secrets they'd rather keep. I get it-I've been there too. But if you really can't handle it, you have to cto me. I'll help you however I can." "Okay!" "But I'm laying down the law here." Mila coughed again. "Try not to solve things with violence, alright? Hurting others won't fix anything-it just makes things worse for everyone." "Got it." Eugene grabbed her hand. "Sis, you really shouldn't be talking. Go rest, okay? Whatever else we need to discuss can wait until tomorrow." "Alright." Mila started up the stairs, then paused. "It's late. Don't run off-just stay here tonight, in the sroom you used before." Eugene had stayed here before, back when he and Mila and Jade had spent holidays together in this villa.

He remembered too, and gave her a small smile.

Once Mila had gone upstairs,

Eugene rubbed his tired eyes. He'd spent more than a day at the bar, and hadn't removed his contacts them whole time-now his eyes ached, but he didn't dare take them out He headed upstairs, ordered a cleaning kit for his lenses from a specialty store, and after a while, finally clenched his teeth and dialed a number. His entire expression hardened.

The call connected quickly. A young man's friendly voice cthrough the line full of laughter. Eugene, little brother Callingnow-does that mean you've made up your mind?"

"I still don't trust you," Eugene replied coldly. "And stop callinglittle brother," "Alright alright." The man's 'N' tone didn't change, still light. "So what can I do for you?" "I want to know everywhere my sister went today, and everyone she met. All of it," Eugene said, his voice icy. "Your sister?" The man sounded confused for a second, then laughed quietly as realization dawned. "Oh, her. Sure, but why should I help you? What's in it for me?" "I'll meet him." Eugene's hand clenched into a fist as he forced out each word. "Johnnie, I'll meet your boss. Just once."