The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 251

In the backyard, the iron chains of the swing ground against the wooden beams, emitting a faint creaking sound.

Claire sat there, her toes dangling above the ground, swaying back and forth to the rhythm of the swing.

She stared at her bare right hand. The faint mark left by the ring was long gone, and her heart felt equally hollow.

The tearoom doors were shut tight; she couldn't hear a single thing.

What was Miles discussing with Alistair? Divorce? Was he preparing to marry his unattainable ideal?

Claire's nose stung. Heartless jerk. He had a high fever last night, and she had stayed by his side, caring for him without stepping away for a single second.

And today they were just going to split up for good?

As the thoughts swirled in her head, a tall, broad shadow fell over her, enveloping her completely. Miles was looking down at her.

She kept her head lowered, her voice barely a whisper. "Are you done talking?"

Claire couldn't control the trembling of her lips. Her fingers dug into her palms. Was he finally going to tell her?

"Yeah. Let's go home."

She snapped her head up, her mouth falling open in shock. "Home?"

He wasn't bringing up a divorce?

She instinctively tried to stand, but her legs were completely numb and weak. She stumbled right back onto the swing.

"Legs fell asleep?"

Miles crouched down, the pain in his left knee slowing his movements slightly. He reached out and grasped her calf, massaging it gently.

"Autumn is setting in across Empire City. The mornings and evenings are cold. You can't wear skirts bare-legged anymore."

His palms were scorching hot. As he held her leg, waves of warmth seeped into her skin, easing the awful tingling sensation.

He slowly stood up, stripped off his suit jacket, and wrapped it securely around her shoulders. The faint, unique scent of sterile hospital soap and him instantly filled her senses.

Her legs weren't numb anymore, but her heart was aching and trembling all over again.

"Can you walk?"

Claire felt the subtle shift in balance. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just stepped on a rock." Miles's voice was perfectly calm, but a fine layer of cold sweat had broken out on his forehead. He tightened his grip on her legs and slowed his pace.

Reaching the car, the man leaned in and gently set her in the backseat.

As he straightened up, Claire's arms remained locked around his neck, refusing to let go.

The two of them were pressed flush against each other.

"Miles," her voice was soft and gentle. "Could you change who you like?"

Don't like Lauren Sinclair. Don't like your unattainable ideal.

Like me instead, can you?

The second half of the sentence remained trapped in her throat. No matter how she wrestled with it, she simply couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

Miles's body went completely rigid. His eyes were deep and shadowed, masking whatever emotions were raging inside.