His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 414

"Archer, I'll take him," Miles stepped forward, winking exaggeratedly at Archer and gesturing toward Virginia, silently urging him to go smooth things over. "I was going to head out to grab some late-night takeout anyway. You just got back from a dinner, so stay home and rest."

Archer didn't take the bait.

Logan's words—"She doesn't love you"—were still echoing in his head, throwing his mind into total chaos.

Especially since she was currently sitting there acting entirely indifferent, refusing to even acknowledge him. It made his chest tight with frustration.

"No need." Archer bypassed Miles and took Toby's little backpack, his tone perfectly flat. "I'll take him myself. I'll be back shortly."

Miles silently cursed, leaning in and dropping his voice to a whisper. "Man, can't you tell she's in a bad mood? Why aren't you taking this chance to talk to her..."

Archer's lips pressed into a thin, hard line.

Talk to her?

Did she even want him to? She didn't care where he went or what he did!

He took a deep breath, ignoring Miles completely, and took Toby's small hand, turning toward the foyer.

The front door opened and shut, cutting off the sweltering heat from outside.

Miles sighed heavily. He turned, walked over to Virginia, and sat down on the coffee table directly across from her.

"Virginia, did you guys fight again?"

Virginia set her water glass down, picked up an English medical journal from the table, and flipped it open. "No."

Her voice was entirely placid, giving away zero emotion.

Miles groaned. "Come on. What's going on? Talk to me and I'll help you figure it out. What if it's just a huge misunderstanding?"

A misunderstanding?

The photo Chloe Caldwell had sent her flashed uncontrollably in Virginia's mind.

Archer stood in the doorway, staring at her distant, slender back, the nameless frustration flaring in his chest once more.

He strode over and stopped right behind her.

The mirror reflected them both: the man, tall and imposing; the woman, delicate and aloof.

"Virginia, we need to talk..." Archer's Adam's apple bobbed as he clenched his fists and spoke.

Virginia screwed the cap back onto her serum bottle and stood up.

She didn't even look at him. She simply brushed past him, walked over to the bed, pulled back the light quilt, and slipped beneath it. She turned her back to him, delivering a silent but absolute refusal to communicate.

The words died in Archer's throat. His arms hung rigidly at his sides, his hands forming tight fists as the freshly scabbed cut on the back of his hand throbbed in pain.

He stared at her rigid back for a long moment before turning on his heel and heading into the bathroom.