My Rise and My Ex's Fall (Chloe and Arthur) novel Chapter 6

"What did you say?" Arthur froze, convinced he'd misheard. He shot out of his chair, his voice trembling with a sharp edge of anger. "Repeat that—where in the world did she go?"

"Mr. Myers, Mrs. Myers took Robert and left," Sarah replied, pausing for a beat as if afraid to deliver the rest. "She said she's never coming back... and she told me to clear out everything in the house that's theirs—throw it all away, she said."

"Chloe!" Arthur's grip on his phone tightened until his knuckles blanched white. He snarled her name through gritted teeth before slamming the call ended.

Sure, Chloe had mentioned wanting a divorce—even scribbled up some so-called divorce papers. But Arthur had brushed it off as just another fit. He figured she was just upset he'd been too wrapped up in other things lately, that was all. Once he got Jennifer and the boy settled, he'd smooth things over with her. No big deal.

But now? She'd actually had the nerve to leave—with their son?

Who did she think she was?

"Never coming back"? Like she got to make that call?

Arthur's jaw clenched as he flipped through his contacts, pulling up Chloe's number. He was sure this was just a stunt to get his attention—if he called now, said the right soft words, she'd come rushing back, tail between her legs.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

"The number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please verify the number and try again."

Disconnected.

Arthur stared at his phone, dumbfounded, as if the screen might somehow correct itself. He checked the number again—same as always. This was Chloe's number. She'd really...

She'd canceled her phone?

How dare she.

Fury coiled in his chest, hot and tight—he wanted to storm out right then, track Chloe down, and drag her back to set her straight. This tantrum had gone way too far. She needed to remember her place, especially now. This wasn't the time for childish games.

"Cough... Mommy..."

"Jenarth? What's wrong?"

Jennifer's anxious voice snapped Arthur out of his rage. He spun around to see Jenarth hunched over, coughing, his face pale and miserable.

"Jenarth, hey—you okay?" Arthur hurried over, panic edging into his tone as he knelt beside the boy.

"Daddy Arthur, I just... I don't feel good," Jenarth mumbled, his head drooping like a wilted flower. "My head's all fuzzy... I'm sorry. I'm such a bother to you." His lower lip trembled, like he was seconds from tears.

Jennifer glanced at Arthur, her voice soft with worry. "Arthur, do you think Ms. Lewis misunderstood something? About us?"

Arthur didn't answer. Instead, he squeezed Jenarth's small hand, his voice steadying. "Don't be scared, buddy. I'm right here. Just rest for a bit, okay?"

Jennifer's voice dropped to a whisper, laced with guilt. "Arthur, this is all my fault. My health's been so bad, and you've had to split yourself between taking care of me and Jenarth. If I'm the reason you and Ms. Lewis are fighting... I feel terrible."

"It's not your fault. She's the one being unreasonable—making a mountain out of a molehill. She's way out of line." Arthur thought of Chloe running off like that, and a bitter scoff escaped him. Ridiculous.

There was a line to how much drama a woman could pull—and Chloe had crossed it. The wife of Myers Group's CEO, running away from home like some petty teenager? If word got out, the whole company would be a laughingstock. He'd find her, drag her back, and make her understand that.

And their son, Robert—usually so level-headed. Why was he going along with this nonsense?

Jennifer must have noticed the hard set of Arthur's jaw, because she spoke up then, her timing perfect. "Arthur... is Ms. Lewis really serious about the divorce? Maybe she just got the wrong idea about us. Let me talk to her—I'll explain everything. If you two split because of me, I'd never forgive myself."

"There's nothing to explain. She started this," Arthur said, his eyes sharp with irritation. Any hesitation he'd felt earlier was gone, replaced by cold indifference. "Let her throw her fit. I want to see how long she can keep this up."

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