His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 33

Seeing Virginia's pale face, trembling lips, and dazed expression, a flash of twisted satisfaction gleamed in Chloe's eyes.

You bitch! What right do you have to live such a good life now? You stole everything that belonged to me. You're the one who should go to hell!

Just then, the door pushed open.

Archer stood in the doorway, one hand resting on the handle.

His gaze first swept over Virginia, noting her distressed state with a slight frown, before landing on Chloe.

Seeing her crying a river of tears and clearly emotionally compromised, he immediately strode over and placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder.

“What's wrong?”

Chloe didn't speak, projecting the image of someone holding back tremendous pain, full of grievances but refusing to cast blame on Virginia.

Watching Virginia's reaction out of the corner of her eye, she deliberately leaned against Archer's chest and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Archer's body stiffened slightly, his frown deepening, but he ultimately didn't push her away.

His large, warm hand patted her shoulder gently, the pressure light and soothing.

He had been standing right outside the door. He had heard her tearful, stubborn accusations.

Right now, her mental state was unstable, and he didn't want to be the reason her condition deteriorated any further...

He hadn't looked at Virginia. From start to finish, not a single glance.

That realization made Virginia's hands shake even more violently, a suffocating wave of despair threatening to pull her under.

A somatic PTSD attack!

She gasped for air, her footsteps frantic and stumbling as she bolted toward the door.

She didn't know what to do. She only knew that if she stayed in that room a second longer, she would die.

Hearing the door slam shut, a flicker of restraint passed through the calm depths of Archer's eyes.

Virginia's condition just now seemed off. What was wrong with her?

After a brief discussion, they scheduled her admission for the following day.

...

The next day.

Chloe checked into the psychiatric inpatient ward connected to Virginia's clinic. It was a private, south-facing room bathed in ample sunlight.

When Kian learned of Chloe's situation, he worried about Virginia and offered to take over the case entirely, but she declined.

Virginia handled the entire admission process herself—from registration and billing to leading Chloe to her room and issuing her hospital wristband.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Chloe clung to Archer's arm like a fragile bird, looking like a picture-perfect couple that anyone would envy.

...

Close to noon, the Caldwell family arrived.