Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 464 The narrow alley forced Mila to stop, her steps faltering as she glanced in surprise at the man beside her, his smile calm and inscrutable.

Leonard? Why would Forrest bring him up now? They hardly knew each other, and Forrest had never been the curious type. The whole thing felt strange. "Why are you asking about him all of a sudden?" Mila frowned, her tone wary.

"I just want to be sure. If Mimi really doesn't like him, I could get rid of him for you. Give you speace." Forrest's tone was light, almost casual.

"And how exactly would you do that?" she pressed.

Forrest only gave her a thin-lipped smile, saying nothing.

He had his methods, of course, but there was no need for Mila to know the details -especially since it would certainly mean crossing the Montgomery family. After all, Leonard was their fiercely loyal hound; but a dog without a leash... was never a good thing.

Forrest had tolerated Leonard's presence so far, knowing about the tangled feud between the Cosfamily overseas and the Montgomerys, and that Mila was already caught in the middle. An extra protector was no bad thing.

But now? A dog without a master, one who could turn on you at any moment-how could he be allowed to stay? Leonard was the Montgomerys' creature through and through, and Forrest doubted Mila could ever truly control him. The Montgomerys were ruthless in their training; anyone who survived their trials and made it to the family's inner circle was never ordinary.

Someone like that, unleashed and harboring ambitions they shouldn't...

Was a disaster waiting to happen.

"What sort of method?" Mila asked again, seeing Forrest still hadn't answered. Her gaze was fixed on his face, searching.

"What does Mimi want?" Forrest finally turned to look at her, his expression gentle. "Just say the word, and I'll take care of it for you. Soon, my travel restrictions will be lifted anyway." He left it at that, the meaning clear. Mila's brow furrowed deeper.

She knew Forrest wasn't just making empty promises he could do it, and with no more restrictions, it would be even easier for him. But what would that solve? The Cossituation wasn't over yet.

If Forrest started trouble with the Montgomerys now, he'd only create an opening for others to meddle and make things worse. What would happen to the Cosaffair then? "I know what you're worried about," Forrest said softly, reading her thoughts with ease. "But now that I'm free of all those constraints, I can protect you." "I trust you," Mila said, her words warm but decisive. She exhaled, letting her concerns show. "But Forrest, the Cosaffair is already tangled with the Montgomerys-and with me..." She trailed off, but Forrest understood. Just as he only cared about Mila and not the Montgomerys, Mila couldn't ignore her own complicated history with Cossio- or her responsibilities to Adrian and Felicity.

She'd done her best to keep unrelated people out of the mess, and dragging Forrest in now would only make things worse.

Wasn't it chaotic enough already? The Montgomerys and Coswere sworn enemies; why not let them settle it themselves? From what she'd heard last night, the Montgomerys were more than ready.

Why get involved? Mila's thinking was simple: she just wanted to solve the problem, and she knew which fights cfirst. For the sake of lasting peace and the greater good, she was willing to endure a little longer.

As long as the problem got solved.

"I understand." Forrest had read her completely. He glanced over his shoulder at Leonard, who lingered a short distance away, his face unreadable. Turning back, Forrest hesitated, as if there was more he wanted to say, but in the end, he left it at Just remember, Mimi, I only want what's best for you. Leonard's not simple-whatever his motives, keep your distance." Mila couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. "Why does everyone say that? Even Leonard toldto stay away from you." She turned and kept walking.

Forrest blinked, then followed, a smile tugging at his lips. "Did he, now? And what does Mimi think?" "If that were true, I wouldn't be here today, would I?" Mila smiled, her voice light.

Whatever their motives, even though she didn't want Forrest tangled up in this, she trusted the Montgomerys to handle their own affairs. But when it E' cto character and trust, the Montgomery family could never compare to Forrest, the friend who'd known her since childhood. The truth was, Forrest had never hurt her-not once. Being with him was always easy, always safe.

Leonard's warnings, she dismissed out of hand.

Someone who had hurt her deeply telling her to be wary of a man who'd only ever been kind-what a joke.

They hadn't bothered to keep their voices down, and for someone with Leonard's sharp hearing, every word was perfectly clear. Yet his expression never changed as he watched them walk ahead. He quietly sent a photo he'd just taken to a certain contact on his phone. The two walked side by side, passing through several twisting alleyways before finally stopping.

"This is the place," Forrest said.

Mila looked up.

Tucked against the side of the alley was a tiny shop. Its heavy red wooden door stood open, but there was no sign her in above it. Forrest guided her inside. "It's a private kitchen-the owner runs it for fun, opens when he feels like it. No sign, no set hours. All the customers are regulars, introduced by friends."