The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 213

"Preston, are you begging to be insulted?"

Chloe's voice was frigid. She turned her head away, refusing to even look at him.

Preston scoffed. "Your temper just keeps getting worse."

He pulled his gaze away from the mirror, and a heavy silence reclaimed the car.

The quiet inside the cabin was suffocating, stretching on for what felt like an eternity.

Finally, the SUV came to a halt.

Seeing the glowing sign for St. Ives Medical Center through the snowy night, Chloe frowned. "Why are we here?"

Preston's jaw tightened at her tone. He pushed his door open and stepped out into the cold.

"Your friend needs to get checked out," he said flatly.

Ken was already waiting outside the entrance. He offered Belle a polite nod. "Ms. Evans, right this way. I will accompany you for a full examination and ensure you get home safely."

Belle waved him off immediately. "No, it's fine..."

"Right this way," Ken insisted smoothly.

"..."

The atmosphere turned unbearably awkward.

Chloe leveled her gaze at Preston. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Do you really have to put on this hypocritical act? It's not the first time you've protected Jenna without a shred of decency or morality. Who are you putting on this show for?"

Preston looked at her, his expression twisting with complex emotions. His dark eyelashes fluttered slightly, casting a faint shadow over his cheekbones.

"The day before yesterday, your phone was turned off. Yesterday, you were out shopping. Today, you attended Mr. Goodwin's birthday party."

"Chloe, do you really not remember what day it was the day before yesterday?"

Seeing the shattered expectation lingering in his eyes, Chloe clenched her fists tight. She forced herself to speak clearly.

"Preston, let's get one thing straight. We are getting a divorce."

"In what capacity do you think I should be..."

She didn't get to finish her sentence.

Preston suddenly grabbed her wrist. His grip was bruisingly tight, yet practically vibrating with forced restraint.

"In your capacity as Mrs. Hayes, of course!"

"..."

Chloe looked up at his sharp profile, a suffocating wave of despair crashing over her.

She pulled her hand forcefully from his grip.

"Chloe?"

Preston reached out and pulled her firmly into his chest, wrapping his arms around her.

"I'm sorry. About yesterday... that was my fault."

Only then did Chloe notice that the hospital room had been specially decorated.

"As long as it's something you like, I would never give it to anyone else."

Preston suddenly reached over and picked up a polished wooden box. When he opened it, resting perfectly inside was a Brass Astrolabe—the exact same antique he had bought for Jenna.

"I had a friend win this for me at an exclusive auction. It's cast from the exact same mold and era as the other one. There isn't a single difference."

"I also won several other high-end pieces. Take a look, see if anything catches your eye."

"Or, what else do you want? I'll buy you anything you desire, okay?"