Page 27 of The Billionaire's Engagement

I turned on the ignition and headed back to my house, my mind replaying all the events that happened today. I was miserable not seeing Mila for the last few days after coming home from Hawaii. When I saw her again, I felt like I found the missing piece to the puzzle. She made me whole. I couldn’t deny that what Mila and I had was electrifying. Being with her made sense, even if it didn’t make sense to Nelson. He didn’t approve with the idea of Mila and I being together, and I’m sure our other friends and family would feel the same as him. I did what I thought was right for all of us, but I left her place in even worse emotional condition before I got there.

I needed to figure out a way to get her off my mind and move on. It may be easier said than done.

17

MILA

Ihaven’t left my place for the last week since Hudson broke up with me. He hasn’t texted or called me, but I also didn’t make an effort to reach out to him, either. I’m miserable without him. I still couldn’t believe it—he didn’t fight for our relationship, and I’ve given up trying to convince him to do otherwise. He made it known that he didn’t want to get with me. Dad still hasn’t come by to visit and talk to me. I’m pretty sure it’s the same with Hudson. Dad caught Hudson and I fucking, after all. I’m sure my dad’s trying to process everything that’s happened.

I sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the television screen, not paying attention to the movie playing. My eyes are puffy from all the tears I cried since he left me. I don’t think I have any more left in me.

There was a knock on my door, my body stiffening.Was it Hudson?I got up and headed to the front door and opened it. I frowned, gazing at my father.

“Hi, Mila,” he greeted with a lopsided smile.

“Hey, Dad,” I said, stepping aside so he can come in.

I walked back to the living room, my father following from behind. I sat down and he did too, right next to me.

“How’re you doing? I haven’t seen you go anywhere,” he asked.

I twisted my body to face my dad. “I’mnotdoing okay, Dad,” I told him, choking on my words tears brimmed my eyes. “I’m in love with Hudson and now we can’t be together because ofyou.”

My dad’s body stilled, then he turned to me, staring at me wide-eyed.

“I didn’t know your feelings for him were that serious,” he said, his eyes searching mine.

“I’m an adult now and I can make my own decisions of who I want to be with. I get it, Dad. Hudson’s your best friend, but he’s also a good man. You helped ruin what could have been my happiness. Now, Hudson’s gone and he won’t talk to me,” I said with a pained voice.

It’s true. Hudson was a good man. He wouldn’t be my dad’s best friend if he wasn’t.

I narrowed my gaze at my father, watching his reaction.

“I still don’t like the idea of you two being together. I’m sorry I ruined what could have been for you two,” he told me. “You’re still my little girl. No man is good enough for you.”

“Not even your best friend?” I asked.

Dad just stared at me. “I don’t know what to think right now. I can’t imagine you and Hudson together. It doesn’t sit well with me. I’ll try to accept it if that’s what you want, but not right now,” he said, frowning before he got up and left.

I sighed then slumped on the couch, sulking.

Dad doesn’t understand and I don’t know if he ever will. He still thinks of me as a teenager, but it doesn’t matter now since Hudson wasn’t going to be mine, anyway. My heart was still broken and the tears I thought were all dried up, came rolling down my face. I laid down, sobbing.

A loud knock on the door startled me. My eyes shot open, adjusting to the darkness. I wasn’t expecting anyone visiting.

I turned on the lights on the way to the front door. Opening the door, my best friend stood there, concern in her expression as she looked at my appearance. I stepped back and she walked through the doorway with her large tote bag in hand.

“Mila, you look—” Danielle started.

“Terrible, I know,” I interrupted, rubbing my puffy eyes.

She followed me to the couch and plopped down next to me.

“We’re going out tonight,” she told me.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t feel like going out.”

“Look at you, girl. You look like a hot mess. You need to go out. It will help you feel better,” my best friend encouraged.

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