Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1323

Chapter 1323: There was no perfect time

An hour later...

"You’re early," Mildred remarked as soon as she sat across from Haines at the same table where they had their first date. "I thought I was already early. No, I am early, but you’re earlier."

Haines smiled at her. "It’s good to see you too, Mildred."

"Haha." A soft chuckle escaped her as she leaned back. At the same time, the server arrived with hot tea. "You already knew what I like. Did I mention I like this particular tea?"

"You finished it very fast last time."

"I didn’t want it to grow cold. It’s best to drink it hot."

"And I agree. That’s why I told them to serve it once you arrived. Thankfully, they did."

"What a gentleman." Mildred laughed again as she reached for her tea.

As they both took a sip, silence settled between them, as though they were waiting for the other to ask the questions lingering in their minds.

"I haven’t told anybody yet," Mildred remarked, placing her tea down — giving him an answer instead of a question. "I know that’s what’s on your mind. The answer is no, I haven’t come clean yet."

"Still couldn’t muster the courage to do it?"

"At some point, I thought of just blurting it out." She waved a hand dismissively. "But every time I muster the courage to do so, I end up biting my tongue. The Old Madam is either too happy for me to ruin it, or too lonely for me to make it worse. I do not have the heart to do either."

"There was not a perfect time."

"And if you’re waiting for one, there won’t be," Haines said casually. "But who am I to talk?"

Mildred chuckled. "I suppose I’m holding you back from seeing anyone else. After all, we did promise that I’d tell the Old Madam why I won’t date, while you’d open your heart and give yourself a chance."

"Don’t feel bad," Haines said with a lighthearted tone. "It’d be even more pressuring if you did, and I couldn’t—not yet."

"Still hung up on that first love?"

"Like I said, it’s not about her anymore. She was the reason I couldn’t at first, but now... I just don’t think it’s necessary."

"Why?" She tilted her head. "Because you’re old?"

Haines rocked his head side to side. "That too."

"Is there even an age limit to love?" Mildred mused with a small smile, making Haines briefly arch a brow. "Or an ’appropriate’ gender preference? If so, then in my case, I have two major reasons not to even think about it, don’t I? Too old... and too gay."

Was love only for the young? Only for those society deemed normal?

Silence stretched between them as they held each other’s gaze. Haines was surprised—he hadn’t expected her to say that so suddenly. But then again, their conversations had always been easy, flowing freely without the need for formalities.

Still, he hadn’t expected this today.

"There isn’t," he finally said with a subtle smile. "Love is for everyone, I believe. But I don’t need it."

"I understand, Haines." Mildred nodded in understanding. "After all, that’s what I tell myself too."