Chapter 617

In no time, the door was opened once again, Marcus’ figure surging within her domain. Millie’s

astonishment resonated in the air.

“How did you enter?” Her words held a blend of wonder and alarm.

No sooner had she shut the door than he materialized within, a swift intrusion that left her caught

unawares. A subtle smile tugged at Marcus’ lips as he brandished a key in his grasp. “A spare key. I

foresaw this little act of yours. Even without the key, entrance remains within my grasp. This door

wouldn’t pose an obstacle worth mentioning,” he remarked, his confidence and assertiveness palpable.

Confronted by his self-assured grin, Millie felt a distinct sense of vexation, as if she were ensnared in

the snares of an impish rogue. Her words tumbled forth in a wave of frustration. “It was your idea to

divorce, after all!”

The mere mention of divorce seemed to send a ripple through Marcus, a self-inflicted wound that would

forever scar his psyche.

“In a fit of idiocy, I enlisted Derek to set those papers alight. I’ve yet to spoil you as much as I should.

Divorce? The notion is preposterous. Have I lost my senses?”

Marcus’ confession hung heavily in the air, an admission weighted with remorse.

Millie stood silent, her voice caught in the currents of their tumultuous exchange.

Marcus had always possessed a shrewd demeanor. However, an odd sensation flitted through Millie:

had his reprimands been directed at himself?

An involuntary twitch of her mouth preceded her indifferent response.

“Fine then. If you wish for a divorce, go ahead and obtain it. If your heart desires new companionship,

be my guest. Your actions don’t stir me. Freedom is the state I seek.”

Though each utterance of her indifference seemed to grate upon her own sensibilities, she remained

acutely aware that if Marcus expressed the desire for separation, she’d readily comply.

A keen awareness rested within Millie; the alignment of their souls was far from perfect. An innate

realization drove her desire to create distance, an aspiration to untangle herself from his presence. Yet

he persisted, thwarting her every attempt at escape.

A disdainful “hum” escaped her as she mused on his audacity to claim he hadn’t spoiled her

sufficiently. The memory of past grievances swelled within her like a turbulent sea. He had denied her

the chance of attending his grandmother’s birthday celebration, exhibited impatience as his constant

companion and raised his voice to a crescendo of anger. The echoes of his past behavior invalidated

his current words, leaving Millie in firm disbelief of his newfound declarations.

With an eye-roll that spoke volumes, she mentally labeled men as the most fickle of creatures.

Determined to enact her silent protest, Millie opted for silence, dedicating herself to organizing her

belongings and preparing a meal in the kitchen.

There, she set about crafting a pot of nourishing soup for her grandmother.

In the midst of culinary endeavors, Millie retrieved a steak from a container, placing it on a small frying

pan. A self-indulgent notion took root: tonight, she would savor the reward of a well-cooked steak.

Yet, just as she began to sizzle the first piece of meat, Marcus reappeared. He bestowed a single

glance on the pan before unabashedly depositing the remaining steak beside it.

Perplexity painted Millie’s expression, a portrait of confusion that Marcus was all too quick to elucidate.

“This is mine.”

Still, he lingered. Why hadn’t he departed yet? Her attempts to treat his presence as inconsequential

remained unheeded. Had he failed to grasp her desire for distance?

The kitchen ambiance grew thick with the rich aroma of the steak. Frustration manifested as Millie’s

fingers toyed with a lock of hair near her ear, her lips pursed in a display of annoyance.