His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 271

"You don't need to explain anything to me," Virginia Caldwell said, turning her face away. Her voice was ice-cold. "We have absolutely nothing to do with each other."

Archer Vanderbilt froze, a dark storm brewing in his predatory gaze.

He didn't say another word. He stepped back and rose to his feet. Just as Virginia thought he had finally understood her boundaries and was about to leave, he picked up the landline, dialed a number, and hit speakerphone.

Two rings later, the call connected.

"Mr. Vanderbilt?" Dr. Preston's voice echoed through the room.

"Tell me exactly where I was last night and what I was doing."

"Ah? Oh, right. Little Toby spiked a fever of nearly a hundred and four last night. He refused to let go of your hand. It's a good thing you stayed to watch over him all night. I checked on him this morning, and the fever broke. Today you..."

Before he could finish, Archer hung up. He turned back, sitting on the edge of the mattress, and looked at her with absolute candor.

"Toby had a sudden febrile seizure yesterday. He wouldn't let me go, so I couldn't leave. My phone dropped into a bowl of soup and fried the motherboard."

He stared at Virginia, an unprecedented wave of intense emotion surging in his eyes. "Ginny, every word I've ever said to you is true. All I want now is to start over with you and build a life together."

Virginia frowned slightly, suddenly recalling the boxed phone Zachary Cole had delivered that morning.

She pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze. This man possessed the kind of power and magnetism that drove women crazy. He was always so aloof, never allowing anyone to cross his boundaries. Yet here he was, lowering his pride just for her.

But could she trust him?

The photo Chloe Caldwell had sent last night was still a suffocating nightmare.

"I get it," she finally murmured, feeling incredibly awkward and unsure of how to face him.

Archer's gaze softened. He pulled her into his arms and lay back on the bed.

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