Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Daniel Hayes’s smile was frank, and his words held no trace of insincerity.

In the darkness, she couldn’t clearly see the expression on his face, but she was still deeply moved by his sincere words.

A warmth spread through her chest, easing some of her anxiety and panic.

She took a deep breath before saying, ”Thank you.”

Daniel Hayes waved it off. ”Don’t mention it. Come on, I’ll take you to a safe place for the night. You don’t have any experience sleeping in the jungle, so it’s easy to run into trouble.”

Chloe Reed nodded and then asked, ”Did you see anyone else on your way here?”

Daniel Hayes replied, ”Yeah, they’ve entered the jungle too. I managed to shake them, but I think they’ll be on our trail again soon.”

Hearing this, Chloe Reed’s heart clenched. She said no more, simply sticking close behind Daniel Hayes.

With Daniel Hayes leading the way, they moved much faster, and Chloe Reed no longer had to constantly scan her surroundings.

After walking for nearly another hour, Daniel Hayes looked around and said, ”Let’s rest here for now.”

Chloe Reed was too exhausted to speak. She plopped right down on a dry log.

”I’m going to head back and cover our tracks so they won’t find us for a while,” Daniel Hayes said, his expression serious. ”Miss Chloe, you wait for me here.”

”Okay.”

Chloe Reed nodded.

Daniel Hayes turned and headed back. Without her following, he moved even faster.

Soon, his footsteps faded out of earshot.

The cacophony of insects was jarring. She was covered in cobwebs, which she picked off piece by piece, remaining vigilant all the while.

About half an hour later, Daniel Hayes returned, holding a few pieces of fruit.

”Miss Chloe, try this. I’ve had it before; it’s not poisonous. It’ll quench your thirst, and it’s got a sweet and sour taste.”

Chloe Reed looked at him in surprise. ”How did you manage to find fruit when it’s this dark?”

Daniel Hayes chuckled. ”I spotted them on a tree near the path on my way back.”

Chloe Reed took one and took a bite. The flavor was indeed sweet and sour. It was delicious.

Daniel Hayes sat beside her, crunching away on a fruit of his own. After finishing one and wiping his mouth, he couldn’t help but say, ”Miss Chloe, with you coming into the mountains like this... Walker Grant is bound to find out.”

Chloe Reed lowered her gaze and said softly, ”Let him find out. By the time he does, he won’t be able to find me.”

”I don’t really get it,” Daniel Hayes pressed. ”Didn’t you two make a deal? Why come into the mountains all by yourself? Miss Chloe... is it because you still care about him? You can’t bear to see him get hurt?”

Chloe Reed sounded a little exasperated. ”I couldn’t bear to see you get hurt, either. Does that mean I have some kind of ’strange feelings’ for you?”

Daniel Hayes was embarrassed and laughed it off. ”Haha, well, you know... I was just curious. After all, you two have been through so much together.”

”Yes... too much has happened between us,” Chloe Reed’s voice slowed. ”If we stay entangled like this, when will it ever end?”

Daniel Hayes looked completely lost, not understanding the deeper meaning behind her words.

Chloe Reed gave a faint smile and said, ”So I might as well take this chance and risk it all. If I can make it out of here alive, then every problem will be solved. If I can’t... I don’t really have any regrets. Walker Grant won’t die. None of you will die. Zachary Bowman and the others will take good care of my grandmother, and as for me...”