Chapter 29 Chloe
A few days had passed since the FBI visit.
Elara had gone back to Florida. My lawyer had already sent Mary enough money to get her to California.
Mary had cried, saying it was too much, but I told her it was my turn to take care of her.
My lawyer and his team had started moving to take back the company—freezing accounts and verifying evidence. Arthur’s world was about to collapse.
I was sitting at dinner with Killian and his grandfather. "So," the old man said, "when should I expect the wedding?"
I nearly choked on my wine. Killian groaned. "Grandpa—"
"I'm just asking," the old man smiled. "A man my age needs something to look forward to. And you two... you've got that look."
"What look?" Killian asked.
"The look I had for your grandmother. The one that says you've already decided. You're just waiting for the other one to catch up."
Killian's ears turned red. It was endearing.
"And grandkids," his grandfather continued. "I'd like to see at least one before I go."
I played along. "Don't worry. We’re going to practice a lot making those grandkids you want."
Killian's head snapped toward me. His grandfather beamed. "That's my girl."
Later that night, I found Killian on the veranda.
The moon was silver, and the air smelled of jasmine.
I walked up behind him. "I used to count the stars through that frosted glass," I said softly.
"I told myself if I ever got out, I’d never look at a ceiling again.
But I like air conditioning and soft beds too much.
" I sighed. "You did more than just open a door, Killian.
You gave me back my life. I don't think I’ll be able to thank you enough. "
He turned to me.
"But I can be useful to you," I continued. "I know you agreed to the wedding because it’s what your grandpa wants. I’m not opposed to helping with the optics. We can play the part. Convincingly. No babies, though. I’ll stay here as long as he wants."
"And after?" he asked, his jaw tightening.
"I’m not ready to be someone’s wife or mother. I just got my life back, Killian. I haven’t even lived it yet." I let that sit before softening it. "I know you feel some type of way about how I used you. But I feel what's between us. That doesn't mean I don't... want you."
His eyes dropped to my mouth.
"But if we do this, it has to be on my terms. I want the world, Killian. I want to stand in Paris. I want to see Greece and Japan. I want to be free before I belong to anyone again."
I watched his face, expecting a nod. Instead, I saw a flicker of disappointment.
"Killian? Don't tell me that in the span of a few weeks, you actually went and fell in love with me."
I wanted him to smirk. He didn't. He looked at me with an intensity that made the wine in my system feel like lead.
"No," he said, his voice flat and cold.
He straightened up and pulled away so abruptly I almost lost my balance.
He didn't look back. He simply walked into the house, the heavy glass door clicking shut behind him. I stood there as the humid air suddenly felt freezing. I felt a physical sting of guilt—but not enough to give up the world I’d just found.
I wanted him, but I wanted me just as much.
I just had no way to say it without it sounding like a betrayal.