The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 229

She had genuinely wanted to make their marriage work, but now that the real leading lady was back, she felt like she was just waiting to be evicted.

Claire felt like she was constantly anticipating her marching orders. If that was the case, Miles might as well just put her out of her misery so she could pack her bags and leave.

The voice rumbling from above her was dripping with pure menace.

"Claire Jenner, say that one more time."

She pressed her lips tightly together, too afraid to make a sound, yet too stubborn to look up at him.

"Fine. Very well, Claire." Miles turned on his heel, stormed into the guest bedroom, and slammed the door shut.

Claire stared at the closed door, completely baffled by the man's mood swings, and carried her plate into the kitchen.

She felt a bit lost, unable to find the dish soap or the plastic wrap. It suddenly dawned on her that despite living with him for this long, she had never actually set foot in the kitchen.

Well, wasn't that something? Miles really had bent over backward taking care of his little substitute.

Claire returned to the master bedroom, took a shower, and crawled into bed.

The massive bed felt entirely too empty. She squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to sleep.

She counted sheep. She counted dumplings. She counted the number of words Miles had spoken to her since he got home.

She counted for what felt like hours but couldn't drift off. Her mind kept flashing back to his expression. Why did he look so incredibly hurt earlier?

Claire let out a heavy sigh and softly called for Marmalade to keep her company.

She called out twice, but there was no response.

Panic started to set in.

"Marmalade?"

"Meow, meow, meow..."

Claire threw off the blankets, climbed out of bed, and searched the living room, but there was no sign of the kitten.

She turned her head and noticed the guest bedroom door was cracked open. Marmalade had definitely snuck into Miles's room.

Trapped in the same room as a cat—what if Miles had an allergic reaction? Claire had to get the kitten out of there.

The guest bedroom was pitch black, meaning Miles was probably already asleep. Claire tiptoed inside as quietly as she could.

It was too dark to see anything, so she let out a tiny, barely audible meow.

"Oh." His tone was flat, completely devoid of emotion.

His gaze trailed slowly down her face, lingering.

She was wearing a flimsy white slip dress. One of the thin straps had slid off her shoulder, and because she was kneeling on the floor, the low neckline offered a dangerously generous view of her cleavage.

The hem of the dress barely covered her thighs, and her knees were pressed into the carpet, leaving faint red marks.

Miles didn't look away. He just stared. "Did you find him?"

"If you found him, get out."

Claire gritted her teeth, ignoring him, and whispered coaxingly, "Marmalade, come here... come on..."

Marmalade didn't budge. Instead, he hopped right back onto the mattress and burrowed straight under Miles's blanket.

"Marmalade!"

Claire lunged forward anxiously, but her foot slipped.

She lost her balance completely and tumbled right onto his bed.