The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 192

Susan immediately started rushing Claire. "Claire, go keep Toby company until his mother gets back."

"Mom, but..."

"But what? Dr. Zimmerman has been a lifesaver for us. He's busy with work, so going over to help look after his nephew for a few days won't completely ruin things at Luna Atelier."

Claire hadn't expected her mother to be so fiercely insistent.

She dragged her feet as she packed a small overnight bag.

"Grandma Susan, the car to pick up Goddess Claire is already downstairs! I'll come visit you another time!"

"Okay, be a good boy, Toby." Susan smiled brightly, then turned to her daughter. "Claire, make sure you take lots of photos and videos of him when you get there."

"I know, Mom."

Heading downstairs, Claire found a sleek SUV idling at the curb. The driver looked half-asleep, like he'd been waiting there for hours. He bolted upright when he saw her, rushing out to grab her luggage.

A wave of suspicion washed over her.

Was it really just a coincidence? Toby hadn't contacted her in days. Why would he call at this exact moment, conveniently asking her to come straight back to Grandview Heights?

The car pulled up to Grandview Heights, and the security guard greeted her warmly. "Mrs. Zimmerman, welcome back."

Claire nodded. "Yes, coming back home to my husband."

The guard blinked in surprise, thinking to himself that he'd assumed they'd broken up after a fight. Turns out they just took some time off to get married.

"Congratulations, congratulations!" he beamed, offering his best wishes.

Claire let herself into unit 501. The living room was dimly lit by a wall sconce, and Miles was sitting on the sofa, typing on his laptop. He glanced up, his tone entirely casual.

"Toby was missing his mother and threw a tantrum until I brought him here. Calling you was my only option."

His sheer nonchalance made Claire instinctively purse her lips.

So she really had overthought it. She assumed it was one of his manipulative little tricks, but she should have known better. A man like him wouldn't waste time on such petty games; he was probably annoyed by her presence anyway.

But this worked out perfectly. It gave her an excuse to get up close and personal, playing right into her hands.

"Where is Toby? I'll go check on him."

Miles looked up. It was Claire's phone. A strange, unsaved number was flashing on the screen.

She pushed him away, assuming it was a client from Luna Atelier, and immediately answered the call.

"Claire, it's me. Jefferson."

"Something happened at one of the branch offices, so I have to head out there. I won't be in Empire City for a while, but I already made things crystal clear to Yvonne. I broke off the engagement. She and I are completely over."

The familiar voice spilled from the receiver, carrying easily into Miles's ears.

If she had known it was him, she never would have picked up. A wave of disgust washed over Claire. Unwilling to listen to another word of his garbage, she frantically reached to hang up.

But Miles suddenly seized her wrist in an iron grip. The phone slipped from her fingers, tumbling onto the mattress.

In the next second, he hauled her up and pinned her firmly into the mattress. A breathless gasp escaped her lips.

Jefferson's frantic voice echoed from the discarded phone.

"Claire! What's wrong?"