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 rm.


    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.


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    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 newpanionship,


    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 readilyply.


    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 im 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 derations.


    With an eye-roll that spoke volumes, she mentallybeled 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, cing 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


    nce 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 disy of annoyance.