Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 241

Chapter 241 I Should Be Grateful

Chloe’s POV:

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Liam’s sudden question caught me off guard. I felt completely deflated. Well, I’d taught him too well.

“Liam, I saved you this time. Let’s call it even,” I said, looking down, annoyed. “Stop saying I owe you, okay?”

The truth was, I always understood how Liam felt. I just couldn’t be with him.

Because Liam was too good, I couldn’t take advantage of his feelings.

At that time, he almost died because of me, and I did feel guilty. I wanted to explain.

But he stopped wanting to hear it.

He kept saying I owed him. After all this time, that debt should be paid off by now.

Liam’s POV:

“You wanted to explain before,” I said, my voice dropping. That memory brought more than physical pain-it left a cold emptiness in me. “If you did care at all, why did you…”

Back then, the agony of broken ribs was nothing compared to watching her turn and leave with someone else. I spent a month in the hospital. She never visited once. After I was discharged, I went to find her immediately. I didn’t want to blame her. I just needed to know she was safe.

Then I overheard her talking to a friend. “If Liam died, at least he’d stop bothering me.”

In that moment, I felt my heart break. Later, she tried to explain a few times. I avoided her. It wasn’t hate. I was just afraid of hearing something even worse.

“You didn’t want to hear it then. What’s the point now?” Chloe’s voice was quiet. She seemed reluctant to dig it up.

“I want to hear it now,” I said, looking at her. “Even if it’s pointless.”

Chloe was silent for a moment. Finally, she said, her voice soft as a sigh, “When we were running, it was too dark. I grabbed the wrong person. I went back for you, but you were already unconscious…”

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18:35 Fri, Jan 16

Chapter 241 I Should Be Grateful

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She paused, then continued, “I was the one who got you out. The Scott family hadn’t arrived yet. To get you to safety, I was forced by some people my ex had wronged. They forced me to take a lot of drugs. I used the last bit of my strength to get you outside. But I was in bad shape myself. While you were in surgery, I was getting my stomach pumped. I woke up three days later. The Kelly family was embarrassed by me. They locked me at home to recover. I was weak. When I heard you were out of danger, I didn’t reach out.”

Chloe’s POV:

Remembering it now, it was just a terrible twist of fate. It felt like proof of what Eleanor always said that bad luck followed anyone who got close to me.

Later, Matthew came to me demanding answers.

Maybe Liam staying away from me was for the best.

So I promised Matthew I’d leave Liam alone.

But I could never tell Liam that. I had my pride. I didn’t want his pity.

“Grabbed the wrong person?” Liam’s voice was skeptical. “You expect me to believe that? And if that’s true, why didn’t you visit me once in the hospital? And what you said to that person about me being better off dead…”

“I didn’t visit because your father wouldn’t allow it. What I said, I was just angry.” I turned my face away, my tone rarely meek. “After I recovered, I tried to sneak into the hospital. But your father’s people were everywhere. Back then, Eleanor was spreading rumors about us. People insulted me to my face all the time. I have a habit of saying the opposite of how I feel. I was upset and said something harsh to protect my stupid pride. I never thought you’d hear it.

“Afterwards, I hated myself for it. I’ve got a sharp tongue-those words must’ve hurt you. I hate having to explain anything, but even so, I tried telling you the truth over and over. But you made it clear you wanted nothing to do with me, so I stayed away. Maybe that was better for

both of us.”

Liam’s POV:

Her regret seemed genuine. Chloe was proud and sensitive. Saying the opposite of what she felt was her armor.

“Are you telling me the truth?” I asked after a moment. The doubt in my eyes faded. Something frozen inside me began to thaw.

“Believe what you want,” she said, still stubborn, refusing to fully yield.

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18:35 Fri, Jan 16

Chapter 241 I Should Be Grateful

“I believe you,” I answered almost before she finished speaking.

Her eyes snapped up to meet mine, filled with complicated emotions.

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“Then the misunderstanding is cleared up,” I said. “Let’s leave the past behind.” My voice was no longer cold and softened without me thinking.

Chloe hesitated, then nodded.

I reached out my hand to her. “Can we still be… friends?”

She looked at my hand, then slowly placed her fingers in my palm. I closed my hand around hers. The feeling, warm and soft, made my heart skip a beat. But then she pulled her hand back. Her voice turned cool again. “As long as you don’t expect too much from me. I’m not reliable. And I can’t be with you…”

“I know,” I cut her off, feeling my heart sink slowly. “You could never like me.”

I’d heard it too many times. It was like a curse. Every partner Chloe ever had was nothing like me. I knew I’d never be her type. Being friends was better than the torture of wanting more. Being able to clear the air like this, I should be grateful.

Chloe opened her mouth, but only managed a strained word. “Good.”

The warmth vanished. She stood up quickly and hurried into the bathroom, almost fleeing.

I stood there, my palm still holding the ghost of her warmth.

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18:35 Fri, Jan 16