Too Late For Regrets, Mr. Billionaire (Brianna Meyers and Brandon Levy) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177 Set Me Free

The fireworks outside kept crackling, but their sound felt muffled and far away, as if blocked by a thick layer of frosted glass.

With Kane gone, any sound of celebration from the Levy and Harper families felt disrespectful to his memory.

The Levy family canceled their grand reunion dinner, leaving just the most basic private New Year’s greetings for Josefina.

The entire old mansion was trapped under an invisible, oppressive mood.

On the first day of the New Year, a bleak blanket of snow covered everything, casting the world in a cold, desolate haze.

Brianna helped Caroline over the threshold. The two elderly ladies nestled by the fireplace, holding hands and murmuring quietly to each other.

Brianna sat off to the side, her eyes drifting over the icy patterns on the window, hollow and exhausted. She knew deep down that there was no hope for happiness this New Year.

That afternoon, Brandon walked in hand-in-hand with Kendra.

Kendra was bundled up in a snowy white puffer coat, soft and cuddly like a little cotton ball, but her innocence couldn’t lift the shadow from the adults’ eyes.

Brianna glanced up and locked eyes with Brandon. For a brief moment, they both recognized the brokenness buried deep within each other.

There was no tension, no icy distance-just the numbness and fatigue that lingered after loss had swept through them.

Brandon sat down next to Brianna, his head lowered as he peeled the orange with such careful, almost humble movements, like he was afraid to break it. He gently placed each shiny segment into her hand, one after another.

“Go ahead, it’s super sweet,” he said.

Brianna took the orange and whispered a quiet thanks. The sweetness bloomed on her tongue, but all she felt was a wave of bitterness in her heart.

Josefina watched the scene, her face lighting up with a proud, gentle smile.

“Look at Brandon, finally learning how to take care of someone. Brandon’s a considerate guy now, isn’t he?” Josefina teased.

Brandon’s ears flushed red at his grandmother’s teasing.

“Caroline, you really have to try the chef’s cooking here,” Brandon said, standing up. “I’ll have the chef prepare a couple of their best dishes for you. Why not stay for dinner tonight?”

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För Regrets, Mr. Billionaire

With that, Brandon walked away, his face still flushed.

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Josefina watched Brandon’s embarrassed expression and couldn’t help but smile with pride. She asked tentatively, “Brianna, when are you and Brandon going to remarry? Caroline and I are still hoping to welcome another great-grandchild into the family.”

Brianna lowered her eyes, quietly spinning the fruit knife as she peeled the apple, the skin curling into a thin, unbroken ribbon. She looked up, her smile calm and serene. “Josefina, after the New Year, I’m going to Valeentia.”

Josefina’s smile froze, and the atmosphere instantly turned heavy.

“What couple doesn’t run into problems?” Josefina said, holding Brianna’s hand tightly. “That kind of forever- together love only exists in poetry.

“When you have disagreements, you work things out together. Marriage is about learning to compromise and being there for each other. That’s what real life is all about.”

Brianna nodded, cut the apple into small pieces, and placed them in Josefina’s hand. Her voice was as soft as falling snow.

“Yeah, that’s why I want to take some time away,” she said quietly.

Caroline patted Josefina’s hand and sighed, “Young people have their own paths to walk. We’re old now. There’s only so much we can do. Brianna got married too young, never had a chance to see the world before she was tied down at home. Let her go.”

Her words hit Brandon like a blunt knife to the heart.

He stood in the kitchen doorway, a dull ache spreading through his chest, leaving him hollow-like someone had carved out a piece of him.

‘So this is what it comes to, Brandon thought, bitterly. ‘I don’t even have the right to ask her to stay.’

Snowlight spilled across the window, while inside, the living room glowed with a muted, yellow warmth.

Brianna rose, placed the final piece of apple in her mouth, chewing and swallowing as if she were taking in all the sweetness and sorrow of eight years of marriage.

Brandon glanced over at Kendra playing in the yard, and a plan started to form in his mind.

He pulled Kendra aside, trying to sound extra caring. “Kendra, did you know your mom’s going to Valeentia?”

“Yeah, I do,” Kendra said, still fiddling with her snowball, not really paying attention. “Clair found us a villa by the beach. It’s really beautiful.”

Brandon felt another stab in his chest and was left speechless.

“We? Don’t you want your dad anymore?” he asked.

“Of course I do! When you come see me, I’ll give you a lemon as a present,” Kendra replied.

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“Wow, you’re so generous!” Brandon looked at his daughter with a wounded expression. ‘My little girl was supposed to keep me warm, but now she’s letting the chill in,’ he thought.

“Kendra, listen to me. If your mom takes you to Valeentia, we’ll never be together as a family again,” Brandon said, his voice firm.

A hint of sadness flashed across Kendra’s face, and she didn’t say anything.

“Do you want your mom and dad to be apart forever?” Brandon asked, not letting go.

Kendra lowered her head and shook it softly.

Seeing Kendra like this, Brandon felt a pang of guilt, but he knew this might be his last chance.

“I have a way to bring our family back together. Would you be willing to help me?” he asked.

Kendra looked up, her eyes full of doubt. “Huh? Do you really have a way to bring Mom back?”

Brandon felt like he’d just been hit right in the feels. ‘Seriously? I can’t even trick my own kid now? If I can’t win over Kendra, how am I supposed to get Brianna back?’ he thought.

“I totally do!” he said, trying his best to look super confident. “If you stick with me and tell Mom you miss her, we can go see her all the time. That way, maybe I can win Mom back.”

“Oh, so you want to use me to tie Mom down, huh?” Kendra rolled her eyes at him, wondering if she should actually believe what he was saying.

“Hey, don’t say it like that,” Brandon said, coughing awkwardly to cover his embarrassment. “It’s just a little stalling tactic.”

Kendra turned to glance at her mom in the living room. After a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly agreed, “Fine, I’ll give you one more chance!”

Brandon scooped Kendra up and planted a big kiss on her cheek, his smile so smug it looked like he already had victory in the bag.

Kendra was still on guard, her little face set in a serious expression. “Just so we’re clear-if you can’t get Mom back within a year, you have to set me free.”

Brandon rolled his eyes at his daughter. ‘Set you free? Seriously? Why do you always copy your mom’s attitude?’ he thought.

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