Chapter 6

Chloe's face turned pale, then flushed red as those humiliating words hit her like a slap. Her meticulously manicured nails dug deep into her palms, blood seeping from the cracks and blending with the vibrant red polish—every sting a brutal reminder that all of this, she brought upon herself. Outside, rain lashed the glass while thunder rumbled across the sky—it felt like a storm was about to hit. Ryan's eyes darkened. Any man would lose it hearing the woman he loved being insulted like that. Chloe, sharp-eyed, noticed his clenched fists and couldn't help but shout, "That's enough!" The rain seemed to ease a bit outside. The storm was clearly all bark and no bite—it wasn't going to pour, not in a place where even the weather followed a routine. "This has nothing to do with Ryan. No need to drag him into it. I'll go back with you," she said, voice calm but hollow. Her heart had been given away—there wasn't any space left in it for someone else. Hank reached out, grabbing her arm, panic in his voice. "Chloe, you can't go with him! Just trust me. I'll keep you safe." She gently pulled away, eyes dropping as she answered flatly, "My baby needs a real dad." Hank had promised the child would be born—he never went back on his word. Deep down, a part of her clung to what he once said: only the woman he truly loved could carry his child. Maybe, just maybe, that meant he still cared. She didn't want to drag Ryan down with her or lie to him. "If that's what you want, I won't stop you," Ryan finally said after a long silence. He closed his eyes and stepped aside to let her go. Hank took Chloe back to the Collins residence. Strangely enough, it was her first time setting foot in the place—kind of ironic. "Irene's already waiting inside." Irene? Really? What was Hank thinking? He brought her back to the house but still kept Irene living there. Chloe wasn't about to play nice—this wasn't some fairy tale like sisters living in harmony. Clicking heels, head high, Chloe walked in like a proud black swan returning from battle, right beside Hank. "You're back, Hank," Irene chirped, throwing herself into his arms like an overly excited bird. Hank smiled softly and kissed her forehead with a tenderness Chloe had never been shown. That was when she realized—this cold, distant man could actually smile like that, so full of love and warmth. "Chloe, come have a seat. You're pregnant now—you can't just stand around. Mrs. Green, please go get her some slippers," Irene said sweetly after her little act of affection, suddenly all concerned and caring. The middle-aged woman called Mrs. Green quickly nodded and brought over a pair of pink slippers, placing them by Chloe's feet. Pink—the one color Chloe hated most. And nobody knew that better than Irene. Still, Chloe quietly swapped out her heels. She wasn't about to give Hank a reason to say she was being difficult. "Dinner's ready, ma'am," one of the staff said. Chloe naturally assumed they were talking to her. She stepped forward, replying casually—until she noticed the strange looks from the maids. Then Irene cut in, saying, "Got it. You can all go now, thanks." One maid passed by Chloe, hesitating when she noticed Chloe still holding her purse. She asked softly, "Miss Hudson, would you like me to place your bag in the guest room?" Miss Hudson? Guest room? Chloe glanced at Irene's overly sweet smile and let out a cold laugh, eyebrows raised. "What did you just say? I'm Hank's lawful wife—and you're calling me Miss Hudson? Seriously? And I'm sleeping in the guest room now?"