Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

”Let go.”

Chloe Reed’s tone was incredibly cold. ”I don’t want to see you right now.”

A sharp pain clenched Walker Grant’s heart, and his fingertips trembled slightly. He understood why she was reacting this way—it was all because of him.

Even though so much time had passed, the damage was done. The scars hadn’t faded, and the pain was bound to resurface one day, catching you off guard with a flood of painful memories.

His fingers slowly released their grip, his palm suddenly empty. Without a single glance back, she went straight upstairs.

Walker Grant’s hand dropped to his side, slowly clenching into a fist.

With his eyes downcast, he was enveloped in an aura of loneliness and dejection, like a discarded puppy.

Watching this, Annie York’s heart ached. She desperately wanted to go over, comfort him, and wrap him in a hug.

But she had no right.

She could only look away, forcing herself not to look at him.

But to her surprise, she found her gaze meeting the old matriarch’s.

The old woman had been watching her for who knew how long, her cloudy eyes holding an emotion she couldn’t decipher.

Annie York instantly panicked!

’I’ve always hidden it so well!’

’I’ve always been so careful, watching him from the shadows, never daring to reveal my feelings to anyone!’

’But the old woman’s gaze is making me panic!’

The next moment, the old matriarch looked away and started walking ahead.

Annie York felt a deep sense of unease. She bit her lip, deciding she had to find a time to talk to the old woman.

...

Chloe Reed spent two hours at the shooting range, venting all the restless turmoil in her heart. Only then did she begin to calm down.

She returned to her room and took a shower, then remembered what Annie York had said.

’I should properly thank Preston Vance.’

Chloe Reed took out her phone. After a moment’s hesitation, she dialed Preston Vance’s number.

It rang three times before the call connected.

”Hello, Chloe.”

He was surprised to see her number, and his voice instantly brightened.

Chloe Reed’s clear eyes flickered for a moment. ”Preston,” she said, ”if you have time tonight, I’d like to treat you to dinner.”

Preston Vance was even more astonished. ”Chloe... are you serious?”

”Mhm,” Chloe Reed affirmed. ”Do you have time?”

She felt she was being incredibly bold. ’I really want to hang up right now!’

”Of course.”

Preston Vance laughed. ”Perfect. I have a lot I want to talk to you about. We can chat when we meet.”

”Okay, I’ll send you the location,” Chloe Reed said quickly, hanging up as soon as the words left her mouth.

She was afraid that if she’d waited even a few more seconds, her composure would have cracked.

She let out a long breath, then went out to find Annie York.

Meanwhile, Annie York was in the old matriarch’s room.

She stood before the old woman, her hands clasped together awkwardly, her eyes fixed on the matriarch’s expression.

The old matriarch was sipping her tea, her wrinkled face betraying no emotion.

”Grandma.”

Annie York couldn’t bear the silence any longer and spoke up hesitantly.

The old matriarch set down her teacup and looked up at her. ”How long has this been going on?”

The color drained from Annie York’s face. She knelt, looking up at the old matriarch. ”Grandma, I... I know I’m wrong. I shouldn’t have feelings for someone I can’t be with. I’ll keep them under control, I’m already trying so hard not to think about him, I...”

”COUGH...”

Before she could finish her sentence, the old matriarch suddenly coughed twice.

Annie York quickly went to pat her on the back, picking up the teacup and handing it to her. ”Grandma, what’s wrong? Does your throat hurt?”

Just then, Chloe Reed walked in.