Ex's crazy pursuit After Divorce (Chloe and Adrian) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Seeing a Therapist

On the way to her office, Chloe found Olivia seated at her desk, scowling like a thundercloud.

She knocked on the open door and walked in. “What’s got you looking so grim? Still can’t work things out with Marcus?”

Olivia shook her head dismissively. “Doesn’t matter. If he keeps stalling, I’ll file a lawsuit or move somewhere else. After two years of separation, I can get the divorce regardless.”

She spoke with forced lightness, managing a smile. “It’s just two years. I’m in no hurry to date again anyway. The Monroe, family should be the ones worried.”

Chloe watched her friend act all cool about it, but she caught the hurt behind those eyes. It broke her heart.

Truth was, her bestie was just as messed up as she was.

The Monroe family had never accepted Olivia as Marcus‘ wife. They’d always looked down on her orphaned background, claiming she wasn’t good enough for their precious family name. If Marcus hadn’t fought them tooth and nail, the marriage never would have happened.

Chloe witnessed their difficult journey to love firsthand. She thought Olivia had finally found her place in the world. But now…

Marcus, who had fought harder than anyone for their relationship, was the first to destroy it.

If Olivia divorced, the Monroe family would be thrilled. They’d been gunning for her from day one, scheming to match Marcus with the Shaw family heiress instead.

Chloe settled into the chair across from her. “Are you certain about the divorce?”

Olivia nodded, then let out a bitter laugh. “You know, I almost gave up before we got married. If he hadn’t pushed so hard…”

Chloe remembered all too well.

Growing up in foster care, Olivia seemed cheerful on the surface but carried deep insecurities. The Monroe world was never one she’d wanted to enter.

When the family first made their disapproval clear, Olivia had been ready to walk away from Marcus entirely. But Marcus had convinced her to fight for what they had.

She’d married into the Monroe family because of him. If Marcus couldn’t give her a reason to stay, then this marriage 2/8 truly was pointless.

The thought made Chloe reflect on her own situation with Adrian.

Her marriage was even more absurd—no love at all, just a contract binding them together.

Well, at least when it ended, she could walk away clean.

“Whatever you decide, I’ve got your back,” Chloe said.

Olivia smiled, then seemed to remember something. “Oh, I saw Adrian earlier. Was he looking for you?”

Thinking about Adrian’s bizarre behavior today, Chloe had zero interest in discussing him. “Maybe he’s sick or something. I didn’t ask.”

Though judging by how off Adrian had seemed, he really might be seriously ill.

Chloe didn’t linger with Olivia. Even though she’d used patients as an excuse to dodge Adrian, she genuinely was swamped.

After leaving Olivia, she returned to her office and dove into work. Before she knew it, the afternoon had flown by.

When she finished her last surgery, it was exactly closing time.

Chloe had just sat down with some glucose when her phone buzzed.

Nicholas again, still pushing her to see a therapist.

Looking at the message, she shook her head with a wry smile.

She’d only known Nicholas for two weeks, but he fussed over her like an overprotective mother.

She typed back:

[On my way now.]

Chloe recounted the avalanche incident, maintaining relative composure throughout, though her voice carried a slight tremor.

This type of trauma–induced stress disorder wasn’t particularly challenging for an expert like Isabella. But Chloe’s issues ran deeper.

Isabella asked, “You’re saying that since the incident, you’ve developed an involuntary aversion to your husband? You become agitated around him?”

Chloe held nothing back from Isabella and nodded earnestly. “I know my reaction isn’t normal, so…”

“Actually, it’s completely normal.” Isabella cut her off. “You may not have noticed, but when you described the avalanche, your emotional response was relatively mild. Your husband is what’s really triggering your stress disorder.

“Because he means so much to you, he’s become the source of your condition. When you see him, you’re transported back to that avalanche, reliving the terror and despair of being buried 6/8 alive.”

Isabella’s assessment struck home, leaving Chloe speechless.

Isabella didn’t rush her response, simply waiting patiently across from her.

After what felt like an eternity, Chloe heard her own voice, hoarse and strained. “What should I do?”

Isabella stared her down. “Face the root cause with emotional clarity, then choose the right moment to create distance from it. Everything will improve from there.”

Isabella’s advice seemed frustratingly vague–Chloe couldn’t see how to apply it practically.

But one thing resonated deeply: Adrian was indeed the true source of her PTSD. Her obsession with Adrian had trapped her in that avalanche, in that moment of terror.

She talked with Isabella a while longer and felt the crushing weight in her chest begin to lift.

After Isabella prescribed some medication to support her treatment, Chloe left.

She’d barely made it down the hallway when a surprised voice called out behind her.