His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 23

After saying their goodbyes to Doctor White, Archer guided Chloe toward the exit.

Just as they reached the elevators, the doors slid open, and a tall man stepped out, heading straight in their direction.

He was walking at a brisk pace, holding a beautifully wrapped gift bag in his hand.

It was Kian Shaw.

He wore a casual light gray wool trench coat, and the faint shadow of stubble on his jawline made it obvious he had rushed over in a hurry.

"Dr. Shaw," a passing nurse smiled brightly, greeting him as he hurried by.

Kian offered a polite nod. His gaze swept down the corridor and unexpectedly locked with Archer's.

Both men paused for a fraction of a second. Kian was the first to break eye contact, not lingering for another moment as he kept his brisk pace toward the consultation wing.

Archer didn't say a word, but his footsteps slowed down noticeably.

Chloe noticed the shift. She tilted her head, glancing back at Kian's retreating figure, and asked softly, "Do you know him? Who is that?"

"...I don't know him," Archer replied with absolute indifference.

He genuinely didn't know Kian Shaw, but he recognized the logo printed on that exquisite, dark green gift bag in the man's hand.

Amedei.

It was an exclusive, handmade Italian chocolate. The global production was strictly limited, and it was entirely unavailable domestically—you could only buy it at select boutique counters in a few specific cities abroad.

Archer's fingers curled inward, subconsciously balling into tight fists.

He had purchased that exact brand countless times.

During the year he had been married to Virginia, every time he traveled to Europe on business, his suitcase always returned with two specific boxes: one hazelnut praline, and one raspberry dark chocolate.

Both of them were always for Virginia.

She had simply murmured, 'This is so good,' exactly once. He kept buying it for an entire year, and remembered it for five.

...

When Kian pushed open the side door to the consultation room, Virginia was busy organizing the day's patient files.

Hearing the noise, she looked up, her eyes widening in genuine surprise.

"Kian? Weren't you supposed to fly back next week?"

"I changed my flight." Kian set the two shopping bags down on her desk. "Picked these up during my layover in Zurich."

Virginia picked up the box of chocolates, walked around the desk, and strode toward the door. Without a second of hesitation, she tossed the unopened box straight into the trash can in the corner.

The heavy cardboard hit the plastic bin with a dull, hollow thud.

Kian froze, staring at her in complete confusion. "What's wrong?"

"I don't like this brand of chocolate." Virginia's tone was completely flat, but a soft smile touched her eyes. "As for Cindy's snacks, thank you. I'll take them home for her. She's been craving sweets lately anyway."

She dug into the pile of treats, pulled out a honey lollipop, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes immediately lit up.

"Wow, this is sweet. It's actually really good."

Kian studied her quietly for a moment. He didn't press the issue, but a knowing flicker crossed his eyes, as if he had just pieced a puzzle together.

"Alright. I'll just buy you these next time too."

Virginia hummed in agreement around the lollipop, sweeping the snacks back into the bag before returning to her files.

The door hadn't fully shut.

Archer, who had already left, had returned to the waiting area to retrieve a scarf he left behind.