Ex's crazy pursuit After Divorce (Chloe and Adrian) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 You Want Separate Bedrooms?

Adrian didn’t know how long he’d been standing on the balcony until the burning pain in his fingertips snapped him back to reality.

The crystal ashtray in front of him was packed with cigarette butts.

He crushed out the last one, but even all that nicotine couldn’t calm the restless anxiety churning in his chest.

After the smoke cleared, he went back inside.

His eyes immediately landed on the mango cake sitting on the table.

He knew Chloe was allergic to mangoes.

When they’d first gotten married, he’d walked past a new bakery after work and bought her a mango mille–feuille on a whim.

He remembered exactly how Chloe had looked at him—her eyes bright and shining.

Like they were full of stars, dazzling and beautiful.

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Especially the smile hidden in her eyes. Even though she was trying to hold back, it spilled out anyway, lighting up her whole face.

He couldn’t understand how a simple dessert worth less than a hundred dollars could make her so happy.

When she took that first bite, her expression clearly changed.

But she still smiled and finished the whole thing.

What happened next was completely out of control. Red rashes broke out across her face and hands, her breathing became labored, and the next second she collapsed in his arms.

At the hospital, he learned she was allergic to mangoes.

That moment when her expression changed–she’d tasted the mango but ate it anyway.

When he asked why she’d eaten it knowing she was allergic, she answered so casually. “I couldn’t waste your thoughtfulness.”

Adrian figured her upbringing wouldn’t let her refuse someone’s kindness.

But he couldn’t understand what kind of upbringing would

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make someone risk their life for politeness.

After that, he never bought Chloe anything with mango again. He made sure to avoid it in all their meals.

But tonight, trying to apologize, he’d brought her something that could kill her.

Adrian remembered how stunned Chloe had looked holding that mango cake, then how she’d pretended everything was fine.

The memory made his chest tighten with confusion.

He headed toward the master bedroom. Just as he cracked the door open, he heard Chloe’s desperate crying from inside-

“Help me, Adrian, save me… save me…”

Adrian’s heart plummeted. He rushed through the door toward her.

“What’s wrong, Chloe?”

His voice was soft, unconsciously tense.

He saw a tear slide down from the corner of her eye.

“Chloe, what’s happening? Are you having a nightmare? Wake 3/8

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up.”

Her silent tears burned something in his chest, though he didn’t realize it.

He kept calling her name anxiously, afraid to speak too loud and scare her.

He watched her furrowed brow, her face twisted with despair and helplessness.

When she begged him to save her, there was no hope in her voice. Like even in her dream, she knew he wouldn’t come for

her.

What was she dreaming about?

Why would she have such a nightmare?

“Chloe…”

Darkness. Complete darkness.

The cold from the snow wrapped around Chloe’s throat like icy hands, making her gasp for air.

The suffocating feeling threatened to steal her life at any 4/8

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moment.

She thought she heard Adrian’s voice, both near and far.

This voice didn’t have the cold impatience he used when blaming her. Instead, it carried… worry?

No, that couldn’t be Adrian’s voice. She must be hearing things.

The next second, she jolted awake from the nightmare, sitting up abruptly in bed.

Her breathing came in panicked gasps.

Adrian watched her empty eyes, like she wasn’t fully awake yet.

But her body shook violently–clearly the nightmare had

terrified her.

“Chloe, are you okay?” he asked, his deep voice carrying a hint of tenderness and concern.

Hearing his voice, Chloe froze slightly. Then her vacant eyes gradually cleared.

Seeing Adrian’s face, she looked startled.

“Bad dream?” Adrian asked gently.

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His voice was softer than she’d ever heard it–so gentle it was almost overwhelming.

Pushing down her fear, Chloe nodded and said hoarsely, “Sorry, did I wake you up?”

Adrian caught the politeness and distance in her tone—even more pronounced than it had been in the living room earlier.

“What kind of nightmare? Can you tell me about it?“.

Instead of answering her question, he asked one of his own.

He seemed to want to bridge that uncomfortable distance

between them.

Chloe was stunned.

Ever since being rescued from the avalanche, she’d had nightmares for over two weeks straight.

Every time she closed her eyes, that day’s horror returned.

Over and over again…

The despair and terror of nearly dying replayed endlessly in her mind.

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Like it was torturing her. Like it was reminding her.

“It’s nothing. Just a dream.”

She got out of bed. “I’ll splash some water on my face. You should get some more sleep.”

Chloe went to the bathroom. The ice–cold water shocked every cell in her body awake, finally pulling her completely out of the nightmare.

But her hands gripping the sink still trembled slightly.

She realized that sleeping in the same bed as Adrian–even just being in the same room–now triggered an instinctive rejection.

She lingered in the bathroom for a while before reluctantly coming out.

She found Adrian leaning back on the couch with his eyes closed, rubbing his temples. He looked irritated.

Hearing her come out, he dropped his hand and looked at her.

Chloe’s steps faltered for half a second before she went to the closet, pulled out a down comforter, and headed for the door.

“Where are you going with that blanket?” Seeing what she was

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doing, Adrian’s heart lurched with panic. “What are you doing?”

His voice carried a frantic edge he didn’t even notice.

Chloe stopped and turned back to him, speaking calmly. “I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I’ll disturb your sleep, so I’m going to the guest room.”

Adrian’s face immediately darkened.

“Chloe, you want separate bedrooms?” His sharp gaze bore into her, his voice frosting over.

Chloe heard the anger in Adrian’s tone but chose to ignore it.

She really didn’t want to share a room with Adrian anymore- she couldn’t even be bothered to argue about it.

But she still forced herself to stay patient and explain coolly.

“You’re busy with work. Sleep is important. Separate rooms are better for both of us.”

Adrian stared at her hard, his lips pressed into a thin line.

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