Billionaire's Match (by Tangy Candy) novel Chapter 465

[Trey's grandmother has passed away.]

The message came from an unfamiliar number, but from the tone alone, Khloe knew exactly who had sent it.

Lauren had long suffered from heart problems. The doctors had repeatedly warned that she needed rest and absolute emotional stability.

Her death… really had been triggered by seeing Khloe yesterday.

Khloe was lost in thought when Nick woke up.

Seeing her staring blankly at her phone, he instinctively pulled her closer into his arms and leaned over to look as well.

"What are you looking at?"

The faint crease between her brows did not escape him. Nick shifted closer and reached for her phone.

"Trey's grandmother died," Khloe said.

Her voice was calm, betraying no obvious emotion, yet Nick could clearly sense the hidden ripple beneath that composure.

He did not speak at once. Instead, he drew her deeper into his embrace, using his warmth to wrap around her slightly cool body.

He knew her well. Khloe looked strong and decisive on the surface, but her heart was soft.

She was deeply sentimental by nature. Even if someone had hurt her terribly, hearing that a life had ended—indirectly because of her—would only weigh heavily on her.

The more she was like this, the more his heart ached for her.

He did not care at all about the fate of the Fox family, but he could not bear for Khloe to feel even a trace of discomfort.

"Khloe, don't overthink it. This isn't your fault."

Nick set her phone aside, lifted a hand to stroke behind her ear, and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I really didn't expect her to…"

Khloe had been a little worried yesterday. Still, she had clung to a sliver of hope, believing Lauren would not collapse because of her.

And it was precisely because of that difference that their endings were doomed.

"I know. Khloe, this was just an accident."

Nick's fingertips brushed lightly over the center of her brow, pressing gently, as if trying to smooth away the unease in her heart.

Khloe looked at him, then slowly leaned against his shoulder.

Nick did not say much, but as long as she could hear his voice, all the tangled thoughts in her mind seemed to vanish.

So this was what it felt like—no longer having an empty back.

Nick could feel her relax like a small cat, completely letting down her guard and entrusting her softest side to him.

He cherished that trust, handling her with care—stroking her head as if soothing a child, while continuing to place gentle kisses on her face.

After a long while, Nick finally spoke again, his voice low, steady, and tender, as though he were giving her heart a quiet massage.