Chapter Twenty-Four - Chloe
The soft patter of Alexei’s tiny hands against the hardwood floor fills the quiet living room, a soothing rhythm that makes my heart swell.
He crawls with determination, his chubby legs pushing him forward as he explores every corner within his reach. His curiosity is endless, his small fingers brushing over the edges of the rug and the smooth legs of the coffee table with the wonder only a child can possess.
“Look at you, little adventurer,” I murmur, leaning forward from my seat on the couch, my chin resting on my hand as I watch him.
Alexei pauses, glancing back at me with a wide, toothless grin, his hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. My chest tightens with love so fierce it’s almost overwhelming.
“You’re getting too fast for me, aren’t you?” I say with a laugh as he lets out a delighted squeal, patting the floor again before setting off toward the toy basket in the corner.
This moment, this peaceful slice of my day, feels like something out of a dream. It’s everything I never thought I would have: a warm home, a beautiful son, and a quiet sense of happiness that has been hard-won.
The buzzing of my phone pulls me out of my reverie. I glance at the screen, a jolt of excitement running through me when I see my assistant’s name.
“Hello?” I answer quickly, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Chloe!” she says, her tone bright and enthusiastic. “The Paris deal just went through. They’ve agreed to partner with you!”
My heart skips a beat, and I sit up straighter, barely able to contain my excitement. “Are you serious?”
“Completely,” she confirms. “The contract is finalized. Congratulations, Chloe—you did it.”
A wide grin spreads across my face, and I feel a surge of pride and relief. “Thank you so much. This is incredible!”
I hang up, my thoughts racing as I glance toward Alexei, who is now tugging at a plush toy with triumphant little grunts. My boutique has been growing steadily over the past few months, but this partnership with the Paris firm is the breakthrough I’ve been working toward.
Grabbing my phone, I rise to my feet and head toward Erik’s study. The excitement bubbling inside me is too much to contain, and I need to share it with him.
The door to his study is slightly ajar, and I push it open without hesitation. Erik sits at his desk, his sharp features softened by concentration as he pores over a set of documents. The faint glow of the desk lamp highlights the planes of his face, and for a moment, I pause, taking him in.
“Erik,” I say, my voice brimming with excitement.
He looks up immediately, his piercing blue eyes locking with mine. “What is it?”
I step inside, unable to keep the smile from my face. “We did it,” I say, holding up my phone like a trophy. “The Paris deal is secured. They agreed to partner with us!”
For a moment, he’s still, his expression unreadable. Then, a slow, proud smile spreads across his face, and he rises from his chair, crossing the room in a few long strides.
“I knew you could do it,” he says, his voice filled with certainty as he pulls me into a tight embrace.
The warmth of his arms around me is grounding, and I let myself sink into the moment, my forehead resting against his shoulder. His steady presence feels like an anchor, a quiet reassurance that I’m not alone in this.
“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice muffled against his chest.
He pulls back slightly, his hands resting on my shoulders as he studies me. “You’ve worked hard for this,” he says, his tone firm but kind. “You earned it. I hope you know that.”
His words sink deep, filling the parts of me that still doubt my ability to balance motherhood and ambition. “It’s not just me,” I say, shaking my head. “You’ve been there every step of the way, Erik. You believed in me when I wasn’t sure I could pull this off.”
His lips curve into a faint smirk. “Of course I believed in you,” he says. “You’re Chloe Sharov. There’s nothing you can’t do.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, light and unrestrained. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“Impossible, but right,” he counters, his eyes glinting with humor.
I roll my eyes, but my heart feels lighter, the pride in his gaze bolstering my confidence in ways I hadn’t realized I needed.
“Speaking of impossible,” I say, tilting my head toward the living room, “your son has decided he’s an explorer today. I think he’s plotting to conquer the entire house.”
Erik chuckles, the sound low and warm. “Is that so?”
“See for yourself,” I say, tugging his hand as I lead him out of the study.
When we reach the living room, Alexei is on the move again, his tiny hands gripping the edge of the couch as he attempts to pull himself upright. He wobbles slightly but doesn’t give up, his determination clear in the furrow of his brow.
“Just like his father,” I mutter, shaking my head fondly.
Erik steps closer, crouching beside Alexei. “What are you up to, little man?” he asks, his voice soft but commanding.
Alexei turns his head, his eyes lighting up when he sees Erik. He lets out a delighted giggle, his hands slapping the couch as if to show off his efforts.
Erik reaches out, steadying him with one large hand. “You’re going to give your mother a heart attack,” he says with a smirk.
“Don’t encourage him,” I warn, though my smile betrays me.
Erik glances back at me, his expression softening. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
As Alexei babbles happily, his little fingers reaching for Erik’s shirt, I feel a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the success of the Paris deal. This is my life—our life. It’s not perfect, but it’s ours, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Erik rises, lifting Alexei into his arms with ease. The baby immediately grabs a fistful of his tie, tugging with surprising strength.
“Already trying to take charge,” Erik says with mock seriousness.
“Wonder where he gets that from,” I quip, crossing my arms.
Erik’s smirk deepens, his gaze locking on to mine. “No idea.”
As I watch them together, my heart feels impossibly full. I know the road ahead won’t always be easy, but moments like this remind me of what’s worth fighting for.
Alexei giggles again, his joy infectious, and I can’t help but laugh with him. Erik looks at me then, his expression softening in a way that makes my chest tighten.
“I’m proud of you,” he says again, his voice quieter now but no less sincere.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat as I whisper, “Thank you.”
For everything.
***
The café is warm and bustling, a soft hum of conversation blending with the clink of ceramic cups and the occasional burst of laughter. The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, mingling with the faint sweetness of pastries from the display case. I sit by the window, nervously tracing the rim of my cup as I wait.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen Elise, and even though I know she’ll be thrilled to see me, I can’t shake the knot of anxiety in my chest. There’s so much to tell her—too much—and I have no idea where to start.
The sound of the door opening draws my attention, and my breath catches when I see her. Elise’s red hair is pulled into a high ponytail, and her green eyes light up the moment she spots me. She rushes over, her expression a mix of shock and joy.
“Chloe!” she exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug before I can even stand. “Oh my God, you’re actually here!”
Her arms wrap around me so tightly that I can barely breathe, but I don’t care. I hug her back just as fiercely, my eyes stinging with tears.
“I missed you so much,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
Elise pulls back slightly, her hands gripping my shoulders as she studies me. “Missed me? Chloe, you disappeared! Do you know how worried I was? Where have you been? What happened? And—”
“Okay, okay, sit down. I’ve a lot to tell you, least of all that I’m a mom now.”
Her eyes widen. “You have a baby?”
A laugh bubbles out of me, shaky and filled with relief. “Yes,” I say, tears spilling over as I nod. “Yes, I have a baby.”
She blinks, her jaw dropping. “You’re a mom? Oh my God, Chloe, you’re a mom! ”
Her reaction is so pure, so unfiltered, that I can’t help but laugh again, the sound mingling with a sob. “I am,” I manage, wiping at my eyes. “It’s… a long story.”
Elise pulls me into another hug, softer this time, her voice muffled against my shoulder. “I can’t believe this. You’ve been through so much, haven’t you?”
The words hit me harder than I expect, and I nod against her, my throat too tight to speak.
“Come on,” she says, pulling back and guiding me to sit down. “We’ve got all the time in the world. Start from the beginning.”
I take a shaky breath, my hands trembling slightly as I cradle my cup of coffee. “I don’t even know where to start,” I admit, my voice soft.
“Try the part where you vanished into thin air,” she says with a small, teasing smile, though her eyes are full of concern.
I nod, the smile falling from my lips. “It’s… complicated. I got married, Elise.”
Her jaw drops again, and she stares at me like I’ve just told her I grew a second head. “ Married? Chloe, you can’t just drop that on me like it’s no big deal!”
“It wasn’t by choice,” I say quickly, my gaze dropping to the table.
Her expression shifts instantly, her teasing demeanor replaced by worry. “What do you mean?”
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to look at her. “It’s a long story, but my father… he made a deal. A business arrangement, and part of it was me marrying Erik Sharov. Elise, he’s….” I pause, searching for the right words. “He’s powerful. Dangerous. And at first, I hated him for it—for everything. But….”
She leans closer, her green eyes wide with concern. “But?”
“He’s not what I thought,” I admit, my voice trembling. “He’s not just some cold, calculating man. He’s… he’s complicated. And he loves me, Elise. I know he does.”
Her mouth opens, then closes as she processes my words. Finally, she leans back in her chair, shaking her head. “Chloe, you never do anything halfway, do you?”
I laugh weakly, wiping at my eyes. “Apparently not.”
Elise takes my hand, squeezing it tightly. “So, the baby? Tell me everything.”
I smile, my heart swelling as I think of Alexei. “His name is Alexei. He’s perfect, Elise. He’s sweet and curious and… I don’t even know how to describe it. He’s everything.”
Her face lights up, her smile so bright it’s almost blinding. “A baby, Chloe! I can’t believe it. I’m so happy for you.”
“Despite everything?” I ask, my voice hesitant.
“Because of everything,” she says firmly. “You’ve been through so much, and now you’ve got this beautiful little boy to show for it. That’s incredible.”
Tears fill my eyes again, and I squeeze her hand back. “Thank you,” I whisper.
She nods, her own eyes shimmering. “So, tell me. What’s Erik like as a dad? I can’t imagine a guy like him changing diapers.”
A laugh bursts out of me, genuine this time. “He’s actually amazing. He’s protective, of course, and he’s already talking about teaching Alexei how to fight when he’s older. He’s… he’s gentle with him, Elise. It’s not something I ever expected, but it’s there.”
Her smile softens, and she leans forward. “Sounds like he’s as crazy about Alexei as you are.”
“He is,” I say, nodding. “He’s… good to me. Better than I ever thought he could be.”
Elise reaches across the table, wrapping her arms around me again. “I’m so happy you’re back, Chloe. And I’m so proud of you. You’re amazing, you know that?”
I hug her tightly, the warmth of her words sinking deep into my heart. “I don’t feel amazing,” I admit softly.
“Well, you are,” she says, pulling back to look at me. “You’ve built a whole new life, Chloe. You’ve got a husband who loves you, a beautiful baby, and a successful business. You’re unstoppable.”
Her words make me laugh, the sound mingling with a fresh wave of tears. “I missed you so much, Elise,” I say, my voice breaking.
“I missed you too,” she replies, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m never letting you disappear on me again.”
Her words hang in the air, warm and reassuring, and I can’t help but laugh again, even as I blink away the tears that blur my vision. Elise’s grip on my hands tightens briefly, as if anchoring me to the moment.
“I mean it,” she says, her green eyes fierce. “No more vanishing acts, Chloe. I don’t care how complicated things get or how powerful your husband is—I’ll track you down next time.”
I smile, wiping at my cheeks with the edge of my sleeve. “I’ll hold you to that.”
She releases my hands and leans back in her chair, folding her arms as she studies me. “So,” she says, her tone shifting to something lighter, “tell me what’s next for you. Is the boutique everything you hoped it would be?”
“More than I hoped,” I admit, a swell of pride warming my chest. “The Paris deal was the last piece I needed to really solidify everything. I can’t believe how far it’s come.”
Elise’s grin widens, her excitement as infectious as ever. “I told you you’d crush it. I mean, of course you would. You’re Chloe freaking Hart—I mean, Sharov. God, that still feels so weird to say.”
“Tell me about it,” I reply with a soft laugh, swirling the remnants of my coffee in the cup.
Her expression softens, and for a moment, her teasing demeanor gives way to something more reflective. “I’m proud of you, Chloe. For everything. You’ve been through so much, and you’re still standing. Hell, you’re thriving.”
The sincerity in her voice sends another wave of emotion crashing over me, and I reach out, grabbing her hand again. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” I say, my voice thick. “Even when I wasn’t around, I thought about you. You’re my best friend, Elise. You always have been.”
Her smile wavers as her eyes shine with unshed tears. “Stop it, or you’re going to make me cry in the middle of this café,” she says, laughing through the emotion.
I squeeze her hand one last time before letting go, feeling a sense of relief and joy I haven’t felt in months. “No more tears. I promise.”
“Deal,” she replies with a smirk, dabbing at the corners of her eyes.
The chatter around us fades into the background as we fall into a comfortable rhythm, trading updates and sharing stories like no time has passed at all.
By the time we leave the café, the sun has dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the bustling street. Elise pulls me into one last hug before we part ways, her voice light but firm as she says, “Don’t you dare disappear again, Chloe.”
“I won’t,” I reply, the promise steady in my heart.
As I walk back to the car, my thoughts linger on the warmth of our conversation, the reassurance that no matter how much my life has changed, some things—like Elise’s unwavering support—remain constant.