Ex's crazy pursuit After Divorce (Chloe and Adrian) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11 You Don’t Mind at All?

“I was supposed to watch the northern lights with you that day, but I left you alone in Norway instead. I’m sorry.” After a long silence, Adrian spoke.

His apology caught Chloe off guard.

She never expected Adrian–someone so used to being aboye everyone else to actually apologize to her.

It seemed even he realized he’d gone too far that day, enough to swallow his pride and admit he was wrong.

Was this the moment she should feel honored? Should she

act all surprised and flattered, then graciously forgive his cold abandonment?

She let out a bitter laugh, realizing she didn’t need to care

about Adrian’s attitude.

From the very beginning, Adrian had made things crystal clear.

He had no intention of marriage. This was just a contract between them.

He wouldn’t talk feelings with her–she knew that.

She’d agreed to that three–year contract herself.

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So even if he chose Natalie over her again and again, what right

did she have to feel wronged? He never had feelings for her in

the first place.

She’d willingly entered this gamble. If she lost, she had to accept the consequences.

“Yeah, it’s fine. I understand.” Chloe nodded.

“So… you don’t mind at all?”

When Adrian asked this question, his eyes locked onto Chloe’s, searching for even the slightest ripple of emotion.

But all Chloe gave him back was a confused look.

“Mind what?” she asked.

“I…”

Her question left Adrian speechless. The words on the tip of his tongue got stuck and he swallowed them back down.

Right. What should she mind?

He’d abandoned her so righteously to go back to Natalie because it was life or death, wasn’t it?

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He went back to save someone, not to do something that would hurt Chloe. Why would he think she’d mind?

Actually, when he asked that question, even he wasn’t sure

what kind of answer he wanted from Chloe.

If she minded, he’d be unhappy.

If she didn’t mind, he seemed even more unhappy.

So what the hell was wrong with him?

Looking at Chloe’s emotionless expression, he felt inexplicably uneasy, mixed with some unclear anger.

And that pointless anger made him want to push further.

“You’re really not mad?”

He asked again for confirmation.

Chloe almost laughed at his persistence, but anger was building inside her chest.

She’d already convinced herself not to care about that incident.

She’d told herself over and over that if she could survive that deadly situation, then fate was being kind to her.

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She didn’t want to dwell on insignificant people and events.

But why did he keep bringing it up, forcing her to relive the humiliation of being abandoned that day?

“Weren’t you going back to save someone? Since it was a matter of life and death, why would you think I’d be angry?” she asked, meeting Adrian’s searching gaze directly.

“I…” Adrian was speechless again.

“Adrian, I’m not unreasonable. So you don’t need to worry about that day. It’s over.” Her voice.was cold and detached.

That day he could call her a liar without guilt, leaving hẹr to barely survive in the ice and snow. What was the point of asking if she was angry now?

Adrian looked up sharply, staring at Chloe in shock.

That cold tone…

This was the first time Chloe had ever said his name so coldly.

Faced with her indifferent expression, Adrian’s unease grew stronger.

Once again, Chloe’s words left him speechless.

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He opened his mouth several times, only to fall silent again.

After a long pause, he finally said quietly, “Good. I’m glad you’re not angry.”

“Mm.” Chloe nodded. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to my room.”

“…Okay.” Adrian’s voice was hoarse as he replied.

Even after Chloe left the living room, he remained in the same position.

Watching her retreating figure, Adrian’s eyes showed a hint of helpless confusion.

T

He couldn’t understand why this unease had been gnawing at him all evening.

Marcus’s words from tonight involuntarily came to mind, adding irritation to his anxiety.

He got up and walked to the balcony, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag.

The nicotine suppressed his restless nerves and the constant unease rising in his chest.

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Chloe returned to her room and quickly showered.

When she came out, she noticed her phone on the nightstand buzzing with message notifications.

After drying her hair, she picked up her phone and saw messages from Natalie.

[Chloe, did you like the cake? I specially had the club’s pastry chef make it for you.]

[Adrian’s really something. If I hadn’t said I felt guilty, he would never have brought the cake back for you.]

[Don’t be mad at Adrian. Since childhood, he’s always put me first. That’s why he left you alone in Norway–he really didn’t mean it.]

[Blame me instead. I don’t want you two to hurt your relationship because of me.]

On the screen, Natalie’s words seemed like an apology on the surface, but Chloe could easily see the provocation underneath.

She could choose not to take the bait, but she had to admit Natalie was right.

It was manipulation, but it was also the truth.

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At the same time, she finally understood why the usually arrogant Adrian had apologized to her tonight.

So this apology was Natalie’s idea.

Because he didn’t want Natalie to feel guilty.

He really cared about Natalie. So much so that he was willing to humble himself before a wife he didn’t love.

Actually, she’d been deliberately ignoring this fact all along.

Just from how differently Adrian addressed her and Natalie, you could tell their positions in his heart were worlds apart.

One was called “Nat,” the other was called “Chloe” with full formality.

Thinking about this, Chloe couldn’t help but laugh.

Her eyes started to sting with tears.

“Serves you right! Chloe, you really deserve this.” Her voice was hoarse and trembling.

She gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.

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Tears fell onto the phone screen, creating tiny ripples that blurred her vision.

After a while, she finally calmed down and replied to Natalie:

[We’re fine, don’t worry. Your health is what matters most.]

After sending this message, Natalie didn’t reply again.

Maybe she actually believed her, or maybe she found it boring that her provocation didn’t get a strong reaction from Chloe.

Chloe thought about tonight’s mango cake again.

Adrian had said he didn’t know…

Didn’t know she was allergic to mango, or didn’t know the cake contained mango?

Either way, it came down to him not caring enough to pay attention to her.

Just like their marriage–it looked glamorous and perfect on the surface, but the reality was rotten inside.

A ticking time bomb wrapped in designer paper.