She'd meant to tell Stanley that she was going to stay at Ervin's place. But now the words caught in her throat before she could speak them.
Her chest already felt tight. Now her heartbeat turned sluggish and heavy, pressing down until she could barely breathe.
Two seconds passed before she managed to speak. "You're not coming back?"
"No. A friend ran into some trouble. I'm staying with her tonight. Get some rest—I'll see you tomorrow."
The line went dead the moment the words left his mouth.
Even with Chloe, he'd felt the panic of a guilty conscience.
Meanwhile.
Chloe stared at the ended call, her body rigid, unable to react.
Ervin's expression darkened as he pulled out his phone.
He'd just tapped on Stanley's contact when Chloe turned around.
"Ervin," she said quietly, "let's go. Don't tell him I'm staying at your place."
He paused, sliding the phone back into his pocket. "Why not?"
"There's no point. He probably won't be back by morning anyway. I'll leave early."
He wouldn't care even if I told him. So why bother?
She turned and began gathering her things.
Ervin watched her slim figure from behind, a flicker of melancholy passing through his dark eyes.
No one would guess Chloe was an expectant mother. Her waist was still so slender.
But three months ago, when that ultrasound report—black text on white paper—had been placed before the entire Dudley family, it had struck him like a thunderclap. Even now, he still felt dazed. He told himself he'd accepted reality, yet confusion lingered. His heart ached whenever he saw her, beating too fast, refusing to let go.
When Chloe reached for the oversized tote bag stuffed with her belongings, Ervin snapped out of his thoughts and stepped forward, taking it from her hands. "Let me carry that."
Chloe froze for a moment, touched. "Thank you."
Ervin smiled gently. "Make sure you haven't left anything behind."
Chloe shook her head. "I've got everything."
"Good. Let's go."
Chloe glanced back one last time at the room thick with its suggestive atmosphere. Her eyes stung.
She couldn't stop her mind from spiraling. What are Stanley and Kira doing right now?
The suffocating weight of that thought made her stomach churn.
"Chloe?" Ervin's voice cut through.
She blinked, forced a small smile at him, and walked out.
A black SUV waited outside the hotel. She followed Ervin inside.
Once seated, the silence between them felt awkward. She had no idea what to say to him, so she pulled out her phone.
The moment she opened WeChat, she saw Kira had posted again.
Sweet dreams guaranteed tonight.
Below the caption: a man's arm resting on a pillow.
The arm was unmistakable—covered in tattoos.
No likes. No comments.
Chloe's hands went ice-cold. Her lips trembled.
This post was meant for me alone.
She hated herself for being so weak. One post, and her mood had crashed completely. Her chest felt like someone had clamped a hand over her nose and mouth, cutting off all air.
She sat frozen for several long seconds before finally opening her mouth and forcing out a breath.
Then she set down her phone, pretended to adjust her collar, and pinched her own flesh—hard.
Don't get angry.
Don't be sad.
Don't let it hurt.
She repeated the words in her mind as the pain shot through her.
So what if Stanley slept with Kira?
At least he's not wasting himself on me.
From now on—stay away from Stanley.
Starting tonight, let go of these feelings before they've even taken root.
Starting tonight, refuse any intimacy with him.
Her pupils dilated. She stared blankly at the Harborcrest night skyline outside the window, pinching herself over and over until a vivid red mark appeared near her collarbone.
Only then—through the pain in her body—did she finally manage to suppress the pain in her heart.
At Kira's place.
Stanley sat propped against the headboard, turning a lighter over in his hands, his expression unreadable.
A moment later, Kira emerged in a white dress. "Stanley, what do you think of this dress for tomorrow?"
He didn't seem to hear her. No reaction at all.
"Stanley!"
He slowly turned his head. "Hm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
He tossed the lighter aside and closed his eyes. "Nothing."
The delight drained from Kira's face. "You're thinking about Chloe, aren't you?"
