Billionaire's Match (by Tangy Candy) novel Chapter 1019

"When?"

Countless thoughts raced through Khloe's mind. It was still there when she returned home. She had shown it to Nick. Before cooking, she hadn't touched it. While cooking, it had been left in the living room—

Had someone come in?

Impossible. The bodyguards were outside. The doors and windows were locked.

Then when?

Suddenly, she remembered the man who had bumped into her that afternoon.

She had checked her bag. Everything had been there.

But that collision—

What if he hadn't been stealing, only delaying her?

What if the real theft happened afterward?

What if the old woman, the crowd of onlookers, the man in gray… were all—

Her face went pale.

Nick pulled her into his arms.

"It's fine."

Tears slipped down Khloe's face.

"I went to all the trouble to get it…"

Nick held her without speaking.

He knew who had stolen it. Lacuna. They had targeted her. There was no way they would let her take that drug away.

Khloe trembled in his arms.

"It was supposed to save your life…"

Nick lowered his head, resting his chin lightly on her hair.

"Khloe."

"Mm."

"My life isn't in that bottle."

She didn't answer.

"It's with you," he said.

Khloe's tears came harder. She clutched his shirt and buried her face against his chest.

Long, long moments passed. Outside, night pressed deep and silent.

…

Meanwhile, somewhere in Swinterland, a man in gray handed the reagent bag to another person.

"The drug's secured."

The other man took it and held it up to the light.

"Are you sure it's this one?"

"Positive. We tested her in the afternoon—she was on guard, so we didn't act. At night, when she relaxed after returning, we switched personnel and got it done."

The other man nodded.

"And you left no trace?"

"None at all. She still hasn't noticed."

"We're going back to Goldmont City," he said. "Once we're back, focus on your own matters. Winnie needs you."

She looked at him.

He continued, "You don't need to stay by my side every day."

Khloe shook her head.

"No."

He looked at her.

She grasped his hand tightly.

"Where you go, I go," she said. "We promised."

Nick didn't speak. He simply pulled her into his arms.

…

In the afternoon, their plane took off. Khloe stared out at Swinterland growing smaller beneath the clouds, her mind blank.

The drug was gone. The thing she had fought so hard to obtain—gone just like that.

Nick sat beside her, holding her hand.

She turned to look at him.

His eyes were closed—whether asleep or resting, she didn't know. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling across his face.

He had lost weight. But his grip on her hand was still steady.

Khloe lowered her head and leaned against his shoulder.

No matter what, as long as he was next to her… that was enough.