His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 365

After sending it, Chloe rapidly deleted the message history and placed the phone back precisely where it had been.

Leaning back against her pillows, she clenched her hands in frustration.

So what if Archer didn't love her?! She was going to be the eternal thorn wedged between them! As long as she was around, that bitch Virginia would never have a day of peace!

South Hill.

Virginia was currently wearing loungewear, sitting cross-legged on the rug.

Spread out across the coffee table in front of her was a stack of the latest medical journals on PTSD.

Her phone vibrated beside her.

Setting down her pen, she picked it up and glanced at the screen.

The sender name displayed was Archer, showing a photo and a brief text.

Virginia stared at the photo for a few seconds, her eyes lingering on the familiar suit jacket. Her expression didn't change as she locked the screen and tossed the phone aside.

It was exactly the kind of clumsy, desperate trick Chloe would pull.

But she didn't reply, nor did she interrogate him.

Because logic dictated that this was just a childish game.

Yet for some reason, her chest felt inexplicably tight. She felt profoundly exhausted.

Picking up her glass of ice water, she took a sip, forcing herself to redirect her focus to the academic papers.

Past ten-thirty that night, at South Hill.

The smart lock chimed, and Archer pushed the door open.

His tailored charcoal shirt was marked with several noticeable wrinkles. The collar was unbuttoned, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and he carried the faint, lingering scent of hospital antiseptic.

The man froze mid-pour, his large hand gripping the glass tightly.

He whipped his head around, his dark, ink-black eyes locking onto her. "What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like." Virginia stood up, smoothing out her loungewear. "We only said we would try. Clearly, we aren't compatible."

Archer closed the distance in one stride, completely blocking her path.

He reached out and clamped his hand around her wrist with terrifying force, feeling as though he might snap her bones. "I don't agree to this."

His voice was hoarse, steeped in exhaustion and agonizing restraint.

Virginia didn't struggle. She let him hold her, simply lowering her gaze to avoid his eyes. "I'm tired, Archer. This relationship is exhausting. Thank you for hosting me recently. I'll hire a moving company and be out by tomorrow."

"Just because I came home late today?!" he demanded, scarcely believing what he was hearing.

He took a deep breath, forcing his tone to soften as he tried to explain. "Virginia, today was an exception. It won't happen again."