Chapter 1604: I do not want to be the one to break his heart

"Miss Sandford?"

Miss Sandford, who had opened the door, almost jolted in surprise at the sight of Charles outside.

"Mr. Bennet!"

"Uh... I didn’t know you and Mildred Pierson were acquaintances," he said. "Is she in?"

"We only met not long ago, and yes, she is," Miss Sandford replied, nodding as she opened the door wider. "Please come in. She’s in the kitchen—I’ll just call her."

With that, Miss Sandford let him inside, and Charles stepped in carefully. As he approached the couches, he watched her hurry off toward the kitchen.

"They must be close if she’s answering the door instead of the owner," he muttered as he took a seat, but he didn’t dwell on it much.

It didn’t take long before Mildred came into view. As soon as she did, Charles quickly rose from his seat.

"Mr. Bennet," Mildred greeted, her steps slowing until she stopped a few paces away. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Charles’s expression quickly turned solemn, prompting her to raise a brow.

"Madam Mildred, may I ask for a minute of your time? I have some personal matters to discuss with you regarding Haines. I was hoping you might have some answers."

It felt strange. Strange to be asking someone else about Haines.

If there was anyone who should know Haines best, it was Charles.

They had grown up together—from foolish boys to teenagers, then to men. They were family. And yet, here he was, hoping a woman who hadn’t known Haines long could give him insight.

It stung more than a little.

Mildred didn’t answer immediately. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

"There’s a path to the garden," she said, gesturing to the side. "Wait for me there while I prepare some tea."

"There’s no need—"

"I have a hunch this will be a long conversation," she interjected. "Please, I’ll join you in a moment."

They held each other’s gaze for a beat longer before Charles silently nodded and obeyed.

---

Later in the garden...

As promised, Mildred joined Charles with a tray and a tea set. After setting it down and arranging the cups, she looked up at him.

"So, Mr. Bennet," she said. "What is it?"

Charles leaned forward, resting his forearms against the edge of the table.

"I’ll be direct. I hope you won’t mind."

"Direct is my cup of tea," she replied, reaching for the teapot. "So? What about Haines?"

"He may get angry with me for asking, but... has he ever mentioned a previous lover?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Mildred’s fingers gave a small twitch. A little tea spilled as she poured into the cup—just enough for Charles to notice.

"Please," he urged, watching her give him a brief look. "You’re the only one he’s been seeing lately. I was hoping you’d tell me."

Mildred’s lips curled into a tight smile as she finished pouring and handed him a cup. Then she served herself and set it down with a soft clink.

"If I’m being honest, Mr. Bennet," she said gently, "it doesn’t seem like you came here for an answer. It feels more like you already know it... but you’re hoping I’ll tell you something different. I wonder why that is?"

Charles blinked, caught off guard.

How did she know?

Mildred chuckled, shaking her head. "You and Haines... after so many years together, it’s clear you’re like brothers. Both of you wear your thoughts on your faces long before deciding whether to speak."

"Although I don’t understand why this matters so much to you—why you seem so desperate to deny it—I’d like to clarify something," she continued. "Haines and I don’t see each other often. We’ve only met a few times—brief encounters just to catch up. We’re friends, nothing more, nothing less."

She took a slow sip of her tea, savoring the flavor before placing the cup down again.

"That said... I don’t think I’m in the best position to say anything about him. Still, he did mention someone from his past," she admitted, giving him a slow nod. "As for the details... I believe it’s best if you hear them from him directly."

A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the whisper of the cold breeze and the scent of tea rising between them.

"I see," Charles finally said. "Thank you for your time."

Mildred offered a small, apologetic smile. "I’m sorry that’s all I can give."

"You don’t need to apologize." Charles stood, prompting her to do the same. "I was asking you to put yourself in a tight spot. I appreciate that you gave me anything at all."

She said nothing in return, just smiled.

"Well then, I’ll take my leave. Please give my regards to Miss Sandford."

With a polite nod, Charles turned and walked away.

What Mildred had said echoed in his head. She was right.

If he wanted real answers, he had to confront Haines. Like a man. Like he always had.

But just as he reached the edge of the garden, Mildred called out behind him.

"Mister Bennet."

He stopped and looked back.

"Should I be worried about this?" she asked.

"That depends," he shrugged. "Even I don’t know."

She tilted her head slightly, but this time Charles was the one to speak again.

"Tell me one thing," he said, voice low. "Did he... love her?"

Her brow arched.

"That depends," she replied. "Would your feelings change depending on the answer?"

He didn’t respond immediately. He just stared.

Then, after a breath, he looked away.

"Of course, they would," he murmured—soft, but clear. "Because the last thing I want... is to be the person who broke his heart."

And that...

That was something Charles wasn’t sure he could ever forgive himself for.

****

Meanwhile, unaware of the brewing tension between her father and uncle, Penny and Dean were nearly kneeling on the laboratory floor. Their hands gripped the edge of the counter as they intently watched a single glass cylinder resting on its surface.

Neither of them blinked, clad in clear protective gear. They stared at the boiling chemicals inside the cylinder, holding their breath—as if even the slightest sound might alter the outcome.

Slowly, the bubbling liquid began to settle, until it was as still as a lake.

"We..." Penny exhaled, eyes wide as she stared at the cylinder.

"...did it."