Chapter: 27 "Why did you go through with this?" Brandon's voice broke the quiet before she could step away. His tone carried an unmistakable weight the sort of confidence built through years of influence. His cologne, Tom Ford Oud Wood, drifted over to her, mingling with a hint of smoke. It was a scent she had come to associate with him alone. He continued, "You have a gift for writing music. Your songs reveal real depth. Why put up obstacles for someone who's running out of time?"A hint of sadness welled up inside Millie when she heard his words. With deliberate slowness, Millie faced Brandon. She noticed the subtle crease between his brows as he watched her... A small question lingered on her lips. "You think have talent?" She searched his eyes, barely above a whisper. An uncertain look flickered in Brandon's gaze. "Of course you do," said Brandon. No one could argue with that. Yet a soft laugh escaped Millie. Talent? Was that what he saw in her? Memories of their wedding night surfaced. That evening, Brandon had struck a match, lit a cigarette, and let the smoke drift through their fresh, unfamiliar new house.w.."Millie, I'm worried about Grandpa," he said. "Your little hobby of songwriting will have to wait. Right now, want you to help take care of my grandparents." His words had floated in the air, detached and light, much like the cigarette smoke curling toward the ceiling. She had offered a compromise. Balancing family and work seemed possible... Brandon had only frowned. "You don't need to keep working where everyone can see you."She eventually gave in to his wishes..w.cConvincing herself that Derek's declining health truly required her attention, she tried to set aside her doubts. Even so, a nagging thought stayed with her. Was Brandon trying to keep her away from the public eye now that she was married? Or had he never believed in her abilities at all? Any explanation, if there was one, remained unspoken between them, no matter how close they'd once been. Brandon's attention returned to the woman standing before him. There was always something about her that felt oddly familiar to him, like a face he couldn't quite place but was certain he'd seen before. Yet, when he took in her glossy hair, the sharp lines of her designer outfit, and the heels that made her legs stand out, he struggled to find any genuine connection.