His Collateral Bride

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g to the blanket, determined to ward off its unwelcome intrusion. However,

e flung a pillow across the space. Angrily, she snatch

voice barely audible, betrayi

other end, teasingly observan

that? I was just on my way

kle, "Really? On your way t

g, "Okay, fine, you go

ed with genuine concern. "What you're going th

hy, "Babe... It's fine. After crying and saying

I could do," Kir

fore Chloe abruptly blurted out he

red?" Kira inquired,

ying he's back. I wonder if it's true," Chlo

and heartache. After a moment of contemplation, "Chloe, I won't ask you not to be scared, because anyone would be.

ct that Kira wasn't seeing h

d silence, "Kira, are you free

h I could, Chloe, but I'm quite busy toda

resolute decision. She swung her legs out of bed, "No p

ira whispered before final

ime there was brief and she quickly made her way out. Putting

Chloe's age greeted with a warm smile

s me a bottle of water?" Chloe returned

ded to the fridge and grabbed one o

yways thank you very much." Chloe retorted

*

d through her headset, momentar

, beside her, stood a figure she thought she'd left behind-a face she couldn't forget. It was Fel

ween them. "Chloe?" Felix finally called out tentatively,

ieve this moment was happening in the very place she had come to es

d each other, " How have you been? Felix asked,

e," Chloe's words were tinge

appearance. His gaze shifted and he couldn't help but notic

his throat, "Chloe, I... I need to apolog

a note of finality. "But I'm not interested in rehashing th

determined to escape the

d encounter with Felix at the gym. As she approached her husband'

anyone in when I'm not around. Who could it be this time? I hope it's not another one of Code's annoying busine

living room, sat a strange woman. She was casually flipping through a magazine a

my apartment?" Chloe demanded, her voice

She wore an air of confidence that sent shivers down Chloe's

d. "What? Who are you, an

ng on her lips. "I'm Martina Josh, Code Anderson's f

" Chloe's anger was beginning to rise

think Code would settle for a perso

before her hand could make contact, it was stopped. Chloe's eyes wid

e blurted