His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 70

Virginia halted in her tracks, her gaze crystal clear. "Before all else, she is herself."

Valentin arched an eyebrow and chuckled warmly.

He opened his mouth to reply, only for his eyes to catch a painfully familiar Maybach idling at the curb.

Virginia saw it too.

The car door swung open, and Chloe was the first to step out.

Clad in a lavender wool coat and a beige silk scarf, she flashed a blissfully happy smile as a hand guided her out of the vehicle.

The man escorting her was Archer, imposing in a navy cashmere coat, his sharp, chiseled profile as unyielding as ever.

Virginia's gaze lingered on them for a fleeting second before she quickly looked away.

Catching her momentary hesitation out of the corner of his eye, Valentin smoothly sidestepped to block her line of sight. He smiled and pointed in the opposite direction. "This way. I parked by the east gate."

She knew exactly what he was doing, but chose not to point it out.

It was only after they had walked a dozen paces that he finally spoke. "Virginia, you should look around you more."

Virginia turned her head, meeting his smiling eyes.

Her gaze flickered, but she remained silent.

Valentin let out a bitter, internal sigh. He didn't push the matter, merely matching her pace as they walked on.

Back at the theater entrance.

Amidst the surging crowd, Archer seemed to sense something. His eyes darted over Chloe's shoulder, locking onto the two figures strolling away across the street.

A gray cropped coat, a black dress, and... a man in a light blue shirt walking closely beside her.

Following his gaze, Chloe glanced backward but saw nothing of interest. She tugged gently at his arm. "Archer? What are you looking at?"

He retracted his gaze, his tone completely void of emotion.

"Nothing. Let's go."

...

By the time Virginia got home, the nanny had already put Cynthia to sleep.

Nine was nestled right beside her, its ambient light pulsing in a steady, human-like rhythm.

Virginia tucked the blanket securely around her daughter, quietly moved Nine out of the way, and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

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