Chapter 87 Rekindle or not?

Chapter 87 Rekindle or not?
Milie's POV

The plan was finally set.

Alan and Sammy would drive me to my new city, help me settle into my PG, and spend the night at a nearby hotel.

The next morning, they would see me off at the company before driving back home.

Everything was planned. Everything except my heart. 

After an emotional and unnecessarily dramatic farewell, we finally walked out of the house.

Alan and Sammy were already waiting beside the car.

I hugged everyone one last time before reaching for the back door.

"Any moment you feel like coming back, don't hesitate."

Mom's voice cracked as she opened the door for me. Tears were already rolling down her cheeks.

Dad wrapped an arm around her.

"Don't break her morale. Let her go with a positive attitude."

"Don't worry about your internship. You just come back."

Mom ignored him completely. A tearful laugh escaped me.

"Mom, you're really unique. Only you have the talent to make me laugh and cry at the same time."

I hugged her again. If I stayed another minute, she would never let me leave.

And honestly, I wasn't sure I would want to. We had already cried enough over breakfast.

To everyone's surprise, Sammy had been the first one to start the emotional farewell speech.

He had cried like a child and made everyone emotional. 

Dad had finally taken charge. "Come on. Say goodbye with a smile."

Mom wiped away her tears and forced a smile.

She reached through the window and caressed my cheek. 

I caught her hand. "I'll come soon, Mom."

Then I looked at Dad. "Take her shopping."

Dad laughed softly. "I will."

I could see the pain behind his smile. He was going to cry after I left. I knew it.

But everyone had to learn how to let me go.

I waved through the window as Alan started the car.

The house slowly disappeared behind us, and with it, my comfort zone too.

"Are you okay?" Alan's eyes met mine through the rearview mirror.

I nodded and wiped my cheeks. "I want to meet Daxton too."

Sammy immediately turned around. Alan's eyes shifted toward me.

Neither of them looked happy about my decision.

Of course they weren't.

They had gone to Daxton's house that morning. They knew exactly how badly that conversation could go. 

"Milie, that's a bad idea," Sammy said.

"You've barely accepted what's happening. You finally seem okay. I can't let you go through all of that again."

"No." He turned forward. "We're not going."

I folded my arms. "I can't start my new life without saying goodbye to him."

"You can see him when you come back."

"I want to see him now."

"Milie—"

"I need to."

Silence filled the car. I shifted forward between their seats until I could see Alan properly.

"Alan."

He glanced at me.

"Please."

He sighed. I knew that sigh. It was the sigh of a man who already knew he had lost the argument.

"I have to see him," I whispered. "If I don't, I'll keep wondering what I should have said. I won't be able to focus there."

Alan pulled the car over. He turned toward me. "You really want to go?"

I nodded.

Sammy groaned. "Trapped."

Alan looked at him. "Sammy, let her try one last time."

Sammy stared at him. "Seriously, Alan?"

"Who knows?" Alan shrugged. "Maybe seeing her after a week will change something. Maybe knowing she's leaving will soften him."

I smiled at Sammy. "See? My Alan understands me."

Sammy slumped back into his seat. "Do whatever you want. Encourage your girlfriend how much you want."

I laughed. "Stop being dramatic." 

"I'm not. I’m tired of being sandwiched between you and Dax."

His voice turned dramatically whiny. "You people are least concerned about me."

"You decided to move away without thinking about how I'm supposed to live without you."

"Awww… My Sammy." I ruffled his hair, but he jerked away. 

Adoring our bond, a chuckle escaped Alan’s mouth. I laughed too.

"I was right to feel like an extra."

"You're not extra, Sammy."

"I am… Absolutely."

"You know how much we love you. Stop your drama." I moved forward, snatched his hair, and kissed his head. 

"And from today, no more mediator duties."

He narrowed his eyes. "I've heard that before."

"Trust me."

He sighed. "But if you have some romantic illusion that Daxton is suddenly going to forgive everything, forget it."

"I don't want him to forgive."

I looked out of the window. "I just want my friend back."

Alan started the car again. "Then let's go."

A few minutes later, we reached Daxton's house. I got out immediately.

Then I opened Sammy's door and grabbed his wrist.

"What?"

"You're coming with me."

He groaned. "Why?"

"Because I can't do this alone."

I then stopped beside Alan’s window. "You're not coming inside. No matter how long I'm gone." I paused.

"Even if I die."

His expression changed. "Shut up, Mils." 

"Sorry."

I leaned through the window and pressed a kiss against his cheek. "I love you."

He touched my cheek. "I know. Go get your friend back."

His voice softened. "I'll be waiting."

I smiled. Then I turned and dragged Sammy toward the house.

This was my chance. Maybe my last chance. I rang the doorbell.

Daxton's dad opened the door. "Milie, darling—"

I immediately pressed a finger to my lips. “Shhh, he shouldn’t know. 

He laughed. "I've been wanting to see you."

"Me too, but your son is giving me a hard time."

I hugged him. He hugged me back warmly. "I know everything."

I pulled away. His expression softened.

"I was disappointed when I thought I wouldn't have you as my daughter-in-law."

I laughed nervously. 

"But after meeting Alan, I can't complain."

My heart warmed. "You met him?"

"Yup, an hour ago. He came with Sammy."

I smiled warmly. "And?"

"He seems like a decent young man. Mature and responsible."

He patted my cheek. "And completely in love with you."

I smiled. "Thank you for not hating me, Uncle."

"I could never hate you."

Then he lowered his voice. "Now go. He's upstairs."

My heart jumped. "His room?"

"Yup, door's open."

I nodded. Sammy and I hurried upstairs. 

Before entering, I turned toward him. "Whatever happens, don't interfere."

His eyes narrowed. "What are you planning?"

"Top secret." I pressed a finger to my lips.

He sighed. "That's never a good sign."

I entered Daxton's room. He looked up immediately.

His expression hardened when he saw me. "What are you two doing here?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I walked straight toward his wardrobe.

Daxton frowned. "What is she doing?" Sammy shrugged.

"Honestly? I have no idea."

I opened the wardrobe. Inside was a small section where Daxton kept things he couldn't throw away.

Our memories, school photographs, old gifts, so many pieces of our childhood.

My throat tightened. But the thing I was looking for was missing.

I searched again. Nothing.

My eyes moved around the room. Then I remembered. "The wallet."

I turned around. Daxton looked confused. I rushed toward his bedside drawer.

Before I could open it, his hand caught mine. "Stop."

I looked at him. 

"You can't just walk into my room and touch my things." His voice wasn't angry, but hurt.

I slowly pulled my hand away and opened the drawer.

His wallet was inside.

"Milie."

I ignored him. I took it out and opened it.

There I saw a tiny folded piece of paper. A soft smile touched my lips.

I remembered that day. Eighth grade. The two of us, sitting together and making ridiculous promises about forever.

I handed the paper to Sammy.

He unfolded it. "What is this?"

"Read it."

Sammy glanced at Daxton. Then back to the paper.

He started. "Promises I want from you."

Daxton looked away.