Chapter 22 (1/2)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 22
William still had a lot to say to Chloe. However, these weren’t words that he could say in front of her husband, Eric. Realizing this, William just nodded.
“Then, please return.”
Eric pointed to the door in a polite, yet firm manner.
“I also have a lot to discuss with my wife.”
William wanted to say something about Eric’s cheeky attitude, but he couldn’t get angry in front of Chloe. And Eric was about to become a divorced man anyway.
The woman who William loved would abandon Eric. What could be more pleasant than this?
William gladly cheered himself up. Then, he turned to Chloe.
“I’ll contact you soon.”
Chloe smiled softly.
“I’ll be waiting.”
As she said this to William, she didn’t notice it—what kind of expression Eric had as he watched them.
After William left, Eric sat opposite Chloe. Perhaps he came in a hurry because his clothes were a bit messy.
Chloe had a passing thought. She wanted to straighten out his crooked tie for him, but she immediately gave up that idea. He wouldn’t appreciate the gesture anyway.
Chloe sat there calmly and stared back at Eric. Then, Eric spoke.
“I guess you’re all better now.”
With his legs crossed, he linked his arms together as well.
“You even have another man here at home.”
Chloe frowned unconsciously. How could Eric think like that about Chloe and William?
“William is like an older brother to me. There’s no reason for you to say that.”
“You must really be recovered now.”
Eric said this with irritation.
“No. Even when you’re sick, you must have had a lot to talk about.”
“What is it that you want to say to me?”
Chloe couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. Eric raised his head, sneering at her.
“What did you talk about with him?”
It was a question that was even more incomprehensible for Chloe. Why was he persistently questioning Chloe and William? She sighed quietly.
“He asked me about what I’d do after the divorce, and I said I’d go to the west coast. That’s all.”
“That divorce. Until when are you going to be so fixated on it?”
Eric’s tone was laced with venom. Chloe’s brows furrowed.
“You said that we can get a divorce after the Fourth Princess gets married. Didn’t you agree to that?”
Eric remained silent. Instead of answering, he just stared at Chloe.
His gaze was so relentless that Chloe unknowingly cowered and crouched her shoulders. But knowing that he wouldn’t harm her—Eric wasn’t that kind of man, fortunately—she lifted her chin more confidently. But then Eric’s lips opened.
“The reason you want to divorce me,”
He looked at Chloe with a cold gaze.
“Is it only because I don’t love you?”
“’Only,’ you say.”
Chloe frowned and lowered her eyes.
Only.
How could love be just that?
For her, love was…
“Love is everything to me.”
It was her life. This was all she had.
How could he speak of it so insignificantly?
“You took all of that away.”
She clenched her teeth as she said this. On the other hand, Eric’s expression was indifferent. He stared back at her without any emotion.
“I’m so sick and tired of it.”
He muttered under his breath.
“How long are you going to be so delusional about love?”
At the word ‘delusion’, Chloe became furious. She raised her voice to a degree.
“You don’t know anything.
“Do I have to know?”
“Even this attitude of yours is something I do not like.”
Chloe clenched her fist.
“You don’t want to know anything about me. Why do you want me by your side when you’re just treating me like a doll? I’d rather you divorce me.”
“And I’m telling you that I don’t want a divorce!”
A resounding shout filled the room.
Chloe widened her eyes, but she soon closed them slowly. She held her hands together tightly.
“Why?”
Chloe spoke with her eyes closed.
“Why don’t you want to divorce me?”
Eric loosened his tie, frustrated.
“I already told you. There’s no reason for it.”
“And I keep telling you the reason clearly. Countless times.”
She had said it over and over.
She wanted a divorce because he did not love her.
But why was he saying that there’s no reason?
And, Chloe thought, he was disregarding her feelings.
“You really don’t listen to me at all.”
She continued to talk with her eyes closed.
Because she didn’t want to see Eric’s cold expression.
If she saw his indifferent gaze here… She might go mad. Avoid it. She just wanted to avoid it.
Silence stretched before them.
Eric didn’t say anything. Instead, he clenched and unclenched his fists, breathing heavily.
“Fine.”