The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 97

The rain crashed down in relentless sheets, looking as though it were determined to swallow Empire City whole.

Claire stood under the extended eaves of The Azure Pavilion, her phone screen lighting up and going dark repeatedly. On her ride-hailing app, the queue had skyrocketed from dozens to hundreds of people.

Thinking back to the absolute disgust on Miles's face when he left, a freezing ache spread through her chest.

He had definitely heard her nauseating conversation with Nathan.

Suddenly, a massive black SUV cut through the heavy rain and pulled up smoothly right in front of her. The tinted window rolled down, revealing Miles's flawless, impossibly cold profile.

"Get in," he ordered.

Claire froze, staring at him in shock.

He turned his head slightly, shooting her a look of pure impatience.

"If you catch pneumonia and delay Susan's surgery next week, I will be furious. Once she's discharged, we are entirely done with each other."

Right.

Not wanting to push her luck, Claire immediately opened the passenger door and slid inside.

The car was incredibly warm. She pressed herself as closely against the passenger door as physically possible, staring blankly out the window to maintain maximum distance between them.

Out of the corner of her eye, she observed him. His jaw was clenched tight, his expression entirely aloof as he stared at the slick road. He was treating her like an annoying package he was legally obligated to transport.

Claire chewed on her lower lip. The desperate explanations were burning the back of her throat.

Maybe she should just tell him everything?

She forced the words out. "Miles—"

The second she spoke, the car's Bluetooth system rang, cutting her off.

Miles shot her a warning glance and hit the answer button on the steering wheel.

A sweet, breathy woman's voice immediately flooded the cabin.

"Miles? The storm is awful out there. I actually spent the afternoon baking cupcakes. Do you want to come over and try them tonight?"

Claire's entire body went rigid.

Oh no.

It was the girl from the pool. The model he had pulled out of the water.

It had barely been two days, and she was already being replaced?

Miles's tone was perfectly level. "Mhm. I'll drop by later."

"I'll be waiting for you."

"Your seduction tactics are incredibly unoriginal, Claire."

"And if you're going to try and sleep your way to the top, pick a better target next time. Your taste in men is as garbage as it's always been."

Without waiting for her to respond, he turned on his heel, got back into his car, and sped out of the garage.

Claire stared at his taillights, clenching her fists in sheer frustration!

Her taste in men really was garbage. Otherwise, why would she have ever spent years trying to win him over?

-

The Trance Nightclub.

The bass shook the floorboards, and the neon lights painted the VIP booths in an intoxicating glow.

In a secluded corner, Jared Johnston and Finn Zorn were already multiple rounds deep.

"Well, well. It's a miracle. The great Dr. Zimmerman actually invited us out for drinks," Finn teased, raising his glass.

Jared leaned back on the leather sofa, smirking. "When you abruptly took the afternoon off from the hospital, I knew something was seriously wrong."

Miles ignored them. He grabbed a crystal tumbler of whiskey and downed it in a single brutal swallow. The intense burn raced down his throat, doing absolutely nothing to kill the bitter ache in his chest.