#Chapter 172: An Unlikely Partnership

In his head, Miles knows that Hugo isn’t responsible for what’s happened to Esther. She’s been going through a lot lately, and Miles half expected to have her returned to him in this state when he saw her off before this meeting. Still, seeing Hugo with his arm around Esther’s waist, while she looks so frail and fragile, so sickly and pale, ignited the possessiveness in his chest, making him rage. So while his head might have told him that Esther’s condition wasn’t Hugo’s fault, his heart said something entirely different. Even now, with Esther tucked safely against his side, he is furious and annoyed and on guard, like Hugo might make some kind of move against Esther. Hugo holds up both hands, palms forward, helpless. “He didn’t do anything,” Esther says. Her voice sounds so weak that Miles wants to break something. He has since this whole ordeal began. During work hours, he’s been sneaking out of the office to go to the gym and punch the shit out of a punching bag. Yet e