The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 362

Chapter 362

Aria’s POV

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The hotel room door clicked shut behind Devon with an ominous finality that made my stomach clench. He stood there in the soft lamplight, still wearing his charcoal suit from whatever business had brought him to Chicago. The October night’s chill clung to his shoulders, and his gray eyes- usually so controlled–churned like storm clouds before thunder.

I retreated until my back hit the window, my hands instinctively moving to protect my abdomen. before I caught myself and dropped them. “How did you find me?”

His laugh was sharp, humorless. “You think changing cities would hide you from me?” He took a step forward, loosening his tie with one hand. “What are you so afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid. I told you–the project needed my full attention. Sometimes I need space to think clearly.” The words came out more defensive than I intended.

“Space.” He repeated the word like it tasted bitter. “From me specifically, or from everyone?”

Before I could answer, three sharp knocks interrupted us. Austin’s voice filtered through: “Aria? I brought those market analysis reports you wanted.”

Devon’s jaw tightened. He crossed the room in three strides and yanked open the door with barely controlled force. Austin stood frozen in the hallway, his easy smile faltering under Devon’s ice–cold

stare.

“Not a good time,” Devon said flatly.

Austin’s gaze darted past him to me. “Aria? You okay? Should I call hotel security?”

The concern in his voice was genuine, well–meaning. It also made everything worse. “I’m fine, Austin. Thank you for bringing these. I’ll see you tomorrow at the office.”

Devon didn’t move until Austin backed away down the hall. Then he closed the door–not slammed it, which would have been better somehow. The controlled fury in that soft click made my throat

tight.

“So you’d rather spend time with coworkers than see me?” He turned back, and something flickered

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Chapter 362

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across his face. Hurt? No, that was impossible. Devon Kane didn’t do hurt. “Is that it?”

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“That’s not- I pressed my palm against the window glass, needing something solid. “This is a work

trip. Austin is a colleague. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I?” Three steps and he was in front of me, one hand braced on either side of my head. I could smell his cologne, feel the heat radiating from him. “Your heart’s racing. You won’t look at me directly. And you’ve been avoiding my calls for over a week. His thumb brushed my wrist, checking my pulse with clinical precision. “You’re lying, Aria. Don’t insult my intelligence by denying it.”

The walls felt like they were closing in. My body remembered his touch too well–the way he’d been so careful with me before I left New York, how his hand had rested on my stomach while we slept.

“I saw you,” I blurted out. “At the restaurant earlier. I wasn’t trying to avoid you specifically—I just didn’t want to interrupt your business dinner.”

His eyes narrowed. “You just told me you didn’t see me. Which is it?”

Damn it. I pressed my lips together, trapped by my own contradictions.

“I warned you, Aria.” His voice dropped to that silky–dangerous register that usually preceded either punishment or passion. “Never lie to me.”

“And I told “you“– I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. “This was supposed to be a transaction. We’re past that now. Why do you care where I am or who I’m with?”

The words hung in the air like shards of broken glass. Devon went very still, his face emptying of expression in that way that meant I’d hit something vital. He stepped back slowly, putting space

between us.

“You’re right.” His tone had gone flat, businesslike. Cold in a way that made my chest ache. “A transaction. I should remember my place.” He straightened his tie, his movements mechanical. “Since

you’re so focused on work, I won’t distract you further.”

“Devon, I didn’t mean-*

“Good luck with your project, Miss Harper.” The formal address felt like a slap. “Don’t let me keep you from your colleagues.”

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Chapter 362

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He walked out. The door didn’t slam this time either but the soft click of it closing echoed in the sudden silence like a gunshot. I stood frozen by the window, watching my reflection in the darkened glass as my knees gave out and I slid slowly to the floor.

The carpet was rough against my palms as I tried to control my breathing. “This is what you wanted,” I told myself. “Distance. Protection. A way out before he could hurt you worse.”

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