Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Walker Grant’s tone was mild. ”Chloe has moved into a new place. Aren’t you going to go up and congratulate her?”

Nathaniel Monroe fell silent.

’To be honest, he didn’t really want to go.’

’He even felt like running away right then and there.’

But under Walker Grant’s chilling gaze, he didn’t have the guts to run.

He rubbed his nose, gave a light cough, and said, ”Yeah, I should definitely congratulate her, but... wouldn’t it be bad to show up empty-handed?”

Walker Grant said coolly, ”Then go buy a gift.”

Nathaniel Monroe said, ”...Um, Chloe’s not the petty type. I’m sure she won’t care about the details.”

With that, he stepped up and pressed the button for Chloe Reed’s floor.

After a musical chime, Chloe Reed’s gentle voice came through the speaker. ”Hello? Who is this?”

Nathaniel Monroe took a deep breath, composed himself, and said, ”Chloe, it’s me, Nathaniel Monroe! I saw you earlier and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I even asked security to be sure. I can’t believe it’s really you! Did you move here? Would it be okay for me to come up?”

There was a moment of silence from Chloe Reed’s end before she said, ”It’s not very convenient right now. I haven’t finished unpacking.”

”Oh, that’s perfect! I can help you unpack. I’m great at that sort of thing,” Nathaniel Monroe said, weaving a lie under immense pressure. ”Come on, Chloe, don’t treat me like a stranger. We’ve known each other for so many years; you don’t have to be so formal with me.”

But Chloe Reed asked, ”Did Walker Grant make you come here?”

”No, no, Walker doesn’t even know you moved here! I honestly just saw you by chance, Chloe, I’m not lying to you...” Nathaniel Monroe was on the verge of tears.

’I feel like I’m going to be struck by lightning!’

’I’ve sinned!’

Chloe Reed hesitated for a moment, then said, ”Really? You’re not lying to me?”

”Really,” Nathaniel Monroe said, biting the bullet.

Just then, Iris Yates’s voice came from the other end of the line. ”Swear on it. If Walker Grant comes up with you, you’ll be single for the rest of your life and never find a girlfriend.”

Nathaniel Monroe: ”Shit!”

’That’s brutal!’

His mouth moved, but for a moment, he was utterly speechless.

A cold snort from Iris Yates came through the speaker. ”Ha! Lost your nerve, haven’t you? Walker Grant must be trying to get in, and since he can’t, he’s making Nathaniel Monroe lie for him. Chloe, just hang up. Let’s get back to dinner. Ignore them.”

Then, the line went dead.

With a long face, Nathaniel Monroe looked at Walker Grant and said, ”Walker, I really did my best.”

”Did you?” Walker Grant said darkly. ”I couldn’t tell.”

Nathaniel Monroe was beside himself. ”Walker, do you really want me to be single for the rest of my life? That’s just too pathetic!”

”If promises actually meant anything,” Walker Grant’s tone was cold, ”there wouldn’t be so many heartbroken people.”

Nathaniel Monroe was left speechless.

’He had a point, but I still couldn’t bring myself to say it.’

’Who in their right mind would curse themselves like that?’

Walker Grant said coolly, ”Figure out a way in.”

Nathaniel Monroe was at a loss for words.

’He’s really putting me in an impossible position!’

Nathaniel Monroe squatted to one side, racking his brain. As he felt the surrounding air grow colder and more oppressive, he gritted his teeth and said, ”There’s only one way left.”

...

After hanging up, Iris Yates snorted in disdain. ”He and Walker Grant are in cahoots. Walker definitely sent him.”

Chloe Reed nodded. ”I think so, too.”

The two of them returned to the table and sat down again. The hot pot was steaming, its rich aroma filling the air.