Chloe thought for a moment. "Okay."
She had just turned toward the closet when a cool grip closed around her wrist. Ervin was staring at the bruise on her elbow. "What happened here?"
Chloe glanced down at it. "Stanley took me to get a blood test today. To check the baby's sex. The nurse who drew my blood was an intern—she left a bruise."
"A blood test to check the baby's sex?" A cold light flickered in Ervin's eyes. "What is he planning?"
Before Chloe could answer, Ervin scanned the room, his expression darkening further. "It's a girl?"
Chloe stared at him, stunned. "How did you know?"
Ervin closed his eyes briefly, releasing her arm. A smile crossed his face—one Chloe couldn't quite read. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Get dressed and come with me. As your teacher, and as your brother now, I'll protect you."
Chloe froze for a moment before it clicked. Ervin must have guessed what Stanley was planning to do.
Genuine emotion welled up in her chest. Her eyes reddened. "Thank you."
In a hotel across Harborfront Bay, Stanley sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a long cigarette burning between his fingers as he gazed out at the night skyline.
He lifted the cigarette to his lips and checked his watch. "It's getting late. I'll leave after I finish this."
The dark glass reflected his tall silhouette—and behind him, Kira Vale.
She wasn't short, about five-foot-eight, wearing a strapless gown. But the dress didn't look sexy on her. She was rail-thin, almost malnourished.
Though that kind of frame photographed well.
She frowned. "Fine. Do whatever you want. I'm going to take off my makeup."
Stanley turned to look at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Sure."
Kira smiled back. "You've already got a wife as pretty as Chloe. Why are you still looking at me like that?"
Stanley paused. He'd simply turned around to speak to her.
He didn't bother explaining. "You're pretty too. Go get ready for bed."
"I'm... also... pretty. Also." Kira walked over and stood beside him. "Chloe's not here now. Tell me—who's prettier? Me or her?"
Stanley's brow furrowed slightly.
The answer came to him immediately.
Chloe was prettier.
He still remembered the first time he saw her. For a moment, he thought he was dreaming—that he'd conjured up the image of a flawless woman.
Her face was bare of makeup, yet there wasn't a single imperfection. Her lashes were so thick and dark they looked like other women's after eyeliner and false lashes. Her lips were soft pink like strawberries, her face round and delicate.
Under the club's cold white lights, her pale skin seemed to shimmer with a subtle glow. The fitted white t-shirt and tiny shorts outlined a figure that was full but never heavy.
Five words summed up his first impression: Ripe for the picking.
Mouth-watering.
It had driven him to do something reckless—something that nearly got him a free meal and a place to stay.
His silence stretched on. Kira's expression turned wounded. "Our feelings have faded, haven't they? You've forgotten everything we went through together."
Only then did Stanley speak, his voice flat. "No. I was just about to say—you're the prettiest."
Kira pouted. "I don't believe you."
"It's true. I'm not lying."
"I won't believe it unless you stay here with me tonight."
Stanley crushed out his cigarette, his expression darkening.
He reached out and lifted a strand of her long hair, his tone coaxing. "You promised me. Once I become the Dudley heir and divorce Chloe, you'll go public with our relationship. Marry me."
"So tonight, I have something important to do with Chloe. Something that'll help me become the heir sooner. Let me go back, okay?"
