Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

The misunderstanding had been cleared up, and she knew he wasn’t responsible, but she was still so guarded around him.

He couldn’t accept it.

So, he always wanted to ask her what, exactly, she was so worried about.

There was no way he would ever hurt her.

Chloe Reed pursed her lips slightly, her long lashes trembling. After a long silence, she finally looked up at him and said, ”Preston, too much has happened in my life. Do you know Miles Hawthorne?”

Preston Vance thought for a moment, then nodded. ”Yes. I remember you two were friends.”

Chloe Reed’s lips curved into a bitter smile. ”But he tried to kill me. I nearly died.”

At her words, Preston Vance’s pupils constricted. He never, ever would have expected such a secret.

Chloe Reed continued, ”So, I can’t bring myself to trust anyone easily now. I only get one life. If something were to happen...”

She didn’t need to finish. They both knew exactly what she meant.

Preston Vance’s expression was complicated. His tone was tinged with apology as he said, ”I’m sorry. I didn’t know about that.”

’No wonder she’s so on guard around me. After an experience like that, she must be as skittish as a bird that’s been shot at, seeing danger around every corner.’

”It was my fault. I shouldn’t have pushed you,” Preston Vance said, deeply realizing he had been wrong.

Chloe Reed took a sip of her coffee. ”I’m glad you understand, and I’m happy about that. So, Preston, unless it’s necessary, let’s not see each other so often anymore.”

’Right now, I just want to focus on my training and wait for the right time to go after Vera Holloway.’

’I’m going to return every bit of the fear and crisis Vera Holloway inflicted on me!’

A cold, sharp glint flashed in Chloe Reed’s eyes.

Preston Vance nodded. ”Okay, I understand.”

He stood up. ”I actually have a meeting to get to, so I won’t disturb you any longer. If anything comes up, you can contact me directly. I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

”Okay, I understand. Thank you.” Chloe Reed looked at him, her eyes soft and sincere.

’She really was happy that he understood.’

Watching Preston Vance turn and leave, Chloe Reed felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her chest.

Annie York called her, her voice tinged with anxiety. ”Chloe, when Mr. Vance saw me, he looked really disappointed. He barely said a few words before he left. Do you think he’s angry?”

Chloe Reed said, ”No, he won’t take it to heart. Let’s head back for now.”

Annie York immediately breathed a sigh of relief. ”That’s good, then. I really thought he was mad.”

Chloe Reed smiled. ”Are you still at the restaurant? I’ll come over and find you.”

”Yeah, I am.”

After hanging up, Chloe Reed got up to pay the bill and then went to the restaurant next door. But as soon as she walked in, she heard a loud commotion.

”You little bitch! Didn’t you say you were broke? How dare you come to such a high-end restaurant? Do you have any idea what the average cost per person is here? Who brought you here? Are you someone’s mistress?!”

Vulgar curses filled the air. Chloe Reed saw a man gripping Annie York’s arm, his expression savage as he interrogated her.

”Who’s your sugar daddy? How much did he give you? Give me all the money!”

The man looked like he could eat her alive.

Annie York was terrified. She struggled frantically. ”Let me go! Let go of me!”

The other diners watched the scene with cold indifference. Some even looked visibly annoyed by the disturbance.