He held her, his commanding, cool aura enveloping her, bringing with it a steady sense of security.

Chloe Reed’s long eyelashes trembled. A wave of panic washed over her, and she even found herself craving his embrace.

She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to calm down before asking, "You’re helping me this much. What’s your motive?"

A soft sigh escaped him. Walker Grant gently caressed her back and murmured, "Chloe, I don’t want a divorce. That’s my motive. Everything I do for you is just because I don’t want you to leave me."

He released her, his dark, narrow eyes gazing at her intently. "Since we can’t get a divorce anytime soon anyway," he said slowly, "let’s try to live like we used to, okay? Like a normal married couple."

Chloe Reed’s heart clenched, and a wave of bitterness and sorrow crashed over her.

It was as if he had said a trigger word, her body automatically launching into a stress response.

It made her subconsciously want to escape, to turn and walk away.

Her expression grew distant for a moment. ’She thought back on their eight-year relationship. For the first four, they had been deeply in love. Their relationship was truly stable. They understood each other’s preferences, fulfilled each other’s needs, and their love deepened with each passing day. That was precisely why she had been so utterly heartbroken when those things happened later.’

’After Julian Grant left, their relationship changed. Tiny cracks had already begun to appear.’

’It started when he began to care about Sunny Reed.’

Chloe Reed turned away, unwilling to dwell on those memories. "But I can’t just forget those unpleasant experiences," she said. "Maintaining things as they are now is the absolute most I can do."

Walker Grant’s breath caught. Seeing her still-pale face, he knew he couldn’t pressure her any further right now.

He pulled her into another embrace and said in a hoarse voice, "Alright. I respect your choice. But there’s one thing I need you to remember clearly: I, Walker Grant, have only ever loved Chloe Reed, from beginning to end."

"..."

The weather was nice, so Annie York took the old woman out for a stroll.

The environment within the complex was excellent, with green spaces covering over seventy percent of the area, and flowers blooming in every season.

The old woman had no trouble getting around anymore, though her reactions were still slow. But after a little walk, her mood had visibly improved.

"I think I just saw Mr. Vance."

Annie York was supporting the old woman’s arm. As they rounded a corner, she glanced diagonally ahead, where a few people were walking past.

She had murmured the words to herself.

The old woman’s reaction was delayed by a few seconds, but then she asked, "Was that Preston?"

Annie York looked at her in confusion. "Grandma, you know Mr. Vance, too?"

The old woman said, "Preston Vance? He’s a friend of Chloe’s. I don’t know what happened, but they just stopped talking to each other."

Annie York’s eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Yes, that’s him. He was there when I met Chloe for the first time."

Confusion crossed her face as well. "Why did Chloe and Mr. Vance stop keeping in touch?"

The old woman shook her head. "I don’t know either."

Annie York suppressed her curiosity and helped the old woman back to Jardinelle. When she was heading home that evening, a car blocked her path at the complex entrance.

The car window rolled down, revealing Preston Vance’s handsome, refined face.

"Miss York. Long time no see."

Annie York was delighted to see him. "Mr. Vance, it really is you! I thought I was mistaken earlier."