His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 292

"Hello?" Xavier's voice sounded somewhat lethargic.

"Xavier." Archer's voice was hoarse, laced with the immense irritation of unfulfilled desire. "Keep your woman in check. If she calls in the middle of the night again to interrupt my time with my wife, I have no problem pulling the plug on the Vanderbilt Group's North American projects tomorrow."

With that, he hung up before Xavier could utter a word.

Back in the bedroom, Virginia gripped her phone, still trying to soothe her friend. "Clem, you are amazing just the way you are. There's no need to waste your time on someone who doesn't appreciate you... Just find someone else to love."

"I can't..." Clementine's voice was steeped in bitter sorrow. "Virginia, I've loved him for years. Ever since I first understood what love was in my teens, he's been the only one in my eyes..."

For years.

Those words felt like a needle pricking gently at Virginia's nerves.

She thought of herself.

She remembered all those days in the Caldwell family when she was overlooked, constantly tiptoeing around trying to please everyone.

She recalled the dark days when she had poured her entire heart into Archer, only to be handed a divorce agreement in return.

She knew that profound sense of helplessness all too well—giving everything you had, only to receive absolutely nothing.

"Clem," Virginia lowered her eyes, her voice a little tight. "We have to learn to let ourselves off the hook. If you hold on too tightly, the only person who ends up hurt is you."

After hanging up, a brief silence settled over the bedroom.

The sound of the door opening broke the quiet. Archer walked back in, and as he approached, he instantly noticed the shift in her mood.

He frowned, stepping closer and extending a long arm to pull her into his embrace.

"Virginia."

He leaned down to seek her lips, but she turned her head, dodging the kiss.

"I'm sorry, I'm exhausted." With that, she pulled the light blanket over herself and lay down, turning her back to him and closing her eyes.

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