Chapter 16

"Huh? Irene? What are you doing here?" Hank stood by the door, gauze still wrapped around his hand. "I heard something happened to Chloe, so I came to check on her," Irene stepped closer, gently grabbing Hank's arm. Her words sounded like concern, but the tone held a hidden edge. "Don't be too hard on her, okay? The baby's already gone—she's suffered enough." Chloe watched the two of them standing so close, almost like a picture-perfect match—but strangely, that old bitterness in her chest was gone. "Hank, let's get divorced." She used to think she'd never say those words first. And if she ever did, it'd be with her heart shattered, barely able to breathe. But now? Saying it felt like lifting a weight off her shoulders. Guess when your heart's been broken enough, it just goes numb. She'd lost. Not to Irene, not to anyone else. Just to herself—for thinking Hank would ever love her back. Hank's eyes narrowed sharply; his hand balled into a fist without him realizing. "Say that again?" Ch