Mistakenly Devoted to Fleeting Years, Memories Hard to Let Go

But it no longer mattered.

This time, it was Millie who didn’t want Elliot.

This time, she would be the one to walk away first.

***

After dropping Millie off at home, Elliot rushed off to Hilary’s birthday party.

It was supposed to be an intimate gathering—one where Millie never belonged. Yet, despite her better judgment, she couldn’t resist the birthday girl’s eager invitation.

The taxi came to a halt halfway up the mountain and as Millie entered the villa, fireworks lit up the sky.

A series of sharp pops echoed in the air, followed by a cascade of colorful sparks and streamers raining down from above. Laughter and cheers spilled out from the villa’s open doors.

In the center of the crowd stood Hilary, a birthday hat perched jauntily on her head. She closed her eyes, making a wish with a smile that could outshine the fireworks.

Someone, emboldened by mischief, grabbed a handful of cake, aiming to smear it on Hilary’s face. But before they could act, Elliot stepped in.

He wrapped Hilary in his arms, gently pulling the streamers from her hair. His protective gaze swept over the crowd to shoo away his rowdy friends.

“Watch it. My girl likes to look nice. Don’t ruin it,” he said, his tone firm but playful.

The words were barely out of his mouth when a wave of teasing rippled through the crowd.

Though Millie had braced herself for such a scene, witnessing it firsthand was like a slap to her face.

A sharp, painful knot twisted in her stomach and she fought to keep the rising nausea at bay. Her temples pulsed with every beat of her heart.

She caught someone beside Elliot nudging his arm and pointing in her direction.

When Elliot saw her, the smile on his lips faltered, freezing into a stiff line. His gaze turned icy as he scanned the room, silencing anyone bold enough to meet his eyes.

Hilary, however, remained unshaken. She approached with a bright, unfazed smile.

"Millie is a friend I invited," she said casually. "We were classmates once, always joking around. When I learned that Elliot’s wife was you—"

"Haley!"

Hilary had used her stage name, but Elliot always called her "Hale" in private. He never used her full name.

Hilary knew she had crossed a line, but she didn’t flinch. Instead, she clung to Elliot’s arm and pouted playfully.

"Elliot, don’t be upset."

"I invited Millie because we had some misunderstandings in the past. Now that she’s your wife, that makes her my sister-in-law. I just wanted to apologize first."

Her words were carefully crafted, softening Elliot’s expression almost immediately.

"I was immature before," Hilary continued, her voice sugary sweet. "Let me toast to you. From now on, we’re all friends."

She raised her glass, but Elliot swiftly took it from her, replacing it with juice.

"Who taught you this? You can’t hold your liquor—behave," he chided, his tone gentle but firm.

Hilary dropped her gaze with a soft chuckle, handing a new glass to Millie.

"My tolerance really is bad," she confessed, a teasing glint in her eye. "Even though I’ve been in the industry for a while, Elliot has always protected me, so I never picked up the drinking habit. I hope you don’t mind, Millie. Elliot cares so much about me, so I’ll toast you with juice instead."

Her words seemed sincere, but Millie could see the smugness flickering in her eyes—remnants of the same arrogance Hilary had shown when she’d dragged Millie into the restroom and slammed her head against the wall.

And just like before, Hilary ended it with a light, insincere apology, as though it could wipe away all the harm she’d done.

Millie hesitated, her fingers brushing the glass, but she was unable to bring herself to take it. Just then, someone nearby spoke up in defense of Hilary.

"Enough already. Stop acting so high and mighty."

"Come on, Millie," another voice chimed in. "Hale’s already taken a step back. What happened is in the past. There’s no need to keep holding a grudge over some childish squabbles."

Elliot swiftly took the glass from Hilary’s hand and handed it to Millie, his face setting into an unreadable mask.

"I hope you two can get along."

Millie stared at him and then suddenly, a soft laugh escaped her lips.