Chapter 248
Khloe went quiet for a moment, the earlier tension still lingering in her expression. It wasn’t anger alone anymore—it was calculation, sharp and controlled.
Nick watched her carefully. The last trace of jealousy in his eyes faded, replaced by something steadier. He already knew her well enough by now: Khloe didn’t tolerate betrayal, and she didn’t forgive easily.
“Backing the Fox Group won’t damage the Morrison family much,” he said evenly, “but it will keep Trey orbiting around Morrison Group. Meetings, appearances, chance encounters… enough for people to talk. That’s likely the point.”
Khloe’s gaze sharpened. “So they’re trying to use him as a thread.”
“Or a distraction,” Nick replied. “Either way, it creates noise around you.”
Silence settled between them.
Then Khloe exhaled slowly, the edge of her mouth lifting.
“If they want the Fox Group that badly…” she said lightly, “then we’ll give it to them.”
Nick looked at her. “You already have a plan.”
It wasn’t a question.
Khloe leaned closer, lowering her voice as she spoke. Whatever she said was brief—soft, precise, and far from gentle. Nick listened without interruption.
When she finished, his expression barely changed, but the faint curve at his lips betrayed approval.
“Works perfectly,” he said.
Later that night, after washing up, they lay together in quiet darkness.
Khloe couldn’t sleep.
Nick was beside her, breathing steady and controlled, one arm loosely around her waist. Even in sleep, he maintained a careful distance—close enough to hold her, never enough to overwhelm her.
She turned her head slightly, studying him.
Strong features softened by rest. Long lashes resting against his skin. A calmness she rarely saw when he was awake.
Time had a strange way of moving. It felt like everything had happened too quickly—and yet, somehow, he had already become part of her life as naturally as breathing.
She lifted a hand, almost without thinking.
“…Nick?” she whispered.
No response.
A little bolder now, she reached out and lightly touched his eyelashes.
The moment her fingertip made contact—
His eyes opened.
Khloe froze.
“What are you doing?” Nick’s voice was low, slightly hoarse from sleep, but perfectly alert.
“I—” she hesitated, then said honestly, “I wanted to count them.”
A pause.
Nick stared at her for a beat, then let out a quiet, amused breath.
“Count them?” His tone dipped, roughened with faint teasing. “Just the eyelashes?”
Khloe felt her ears warm. “Yes. Just that.”
Nick shifted closer before she could retreat, pulling her gently into his chest. The warmth of him wrapped around her instantly, steady and grounding.
“And after you finish counting,” he murmured near her ear, “what then? Are you going to inspect the rest of me too?”
Khloe’s heart skipped. “Nick…”
He gave a soft chuckle, but there was something gentler beneath it.
“I have a business trip next week,” he said after a moment, his voice lowering. “About seven days.”
Her fingers paused slightly against his shirt.
“A week?” she repeated.
“Mm.”
A brief silence followed.
When she didn’t speak, he added, quieter this time, “When I return… " We’ll hold the wedding.”
Khloe’s breath caught faintly.
Nick’s hand traced a slow, restrained line along her back—not possessive, but unmistakably intentional.
“And then,” he said, voice almost a whisper, “you won’t just be counting eyelashes anymore.”
Heat rose to Khloe’s face instantly. She looked away, suddenly unable to meet his gaze.
“…Mm,” she replied softly.
The next morning, Charlotte slipped quietly into Khloe’s office.