The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 214

When Chloe remained entirely silent, he tightened his arms around her, burying his face deep into the crook of her neck. He let out a heavy, defeated sigh.

"I'm sorry. I know I messed up. Please, just stop being mad at me, okay?"

"I saw the things you packed for your trip. I've already had Ken book the flights. We leave for Kandaria the day after tomorrow."

Chloe finally reacted.

She raised her hands and shoved him hard, pushing herself out of his embrace.

She stared dead into his eyes, enunciating every single word. "You're not going anywhere."

Preston held his ground. "Stop being angry. This time, even if the sky falls, I won't abandon you."

Chloe let out a thin, chilling laugh. She repeated herself, her tone absolute.

"Preston, you're not going."

Looking at the pure mockery burning in her eyes, Preston felt his chest tighten violently. A sudden, terrifying emptiness washed over him, as if something vital had just been ripped away.

"Chloe..."

Chloe didn't bother entertaining him any further. She gave the hospital bed one last glance, turned on her heel, and walked out of the room.

She refused to have a screaming match in front of his comatose mother.

Preston chased after her.

The windows in the hospital corridor were cracked open, letting in a biting, snow-filled wind that chilled them to the bone.

Chloe quickened her pace.

Watching her walk away from him, Preston suddenly felt a wave of bitter exhaustion.

He stopped in his tracks. "Chloe, are you really so heartless that you won't even wish me a happy birthday? We only do this once a year. Is it really that unbearable to spend a few minutes with me?"

Chloe halted. She turned around slowly to face him. "Preston, don't you think you're being utterly ridiculous?"

"The day after tomorrow isn't some romantic getaway."

Meeting his desperate gaze, she delivered the final blow.

"It's the day we finalize our divorce."

Preston's breathing turned ragged.

He lowered his eyes, his long lashes hiding the absolute devastation fracturing his dark gaze. When he looked up again, his expression was a mask of pure ice.

He had always assumed she knew absolutely nothing.

"How did you find out?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Preston let out a harsh, self-deprecating laugh.

The scandal had completely consumed Sterling Bay back then. The Hayes empire changed hands, and everyone knew he and his mother had been ruthlessly cast out.

"It's true. I swore an oath to my mother that I would only ever take one wife in this lifetime."

"But vows..."

He lowered his eyes, his gaze locking onto her face. "They're not meant to be taken seriously, right? Just like how every word out of your mouth is utterly meaningless. You say things you never intend to honor."

"Since you're so hell-bent on this divorce... fine. I agree."

"But I won't give you the chance to regret it."

"Chloe, it's true I owe you an ear. I will do whatever it takes to track down Dr. Macleod to perform your surgery..."

His heart hammered painfully in his chest. In that moment, he couldn't even tell if he was suffocating from rage or sheer heartbreak.

"Once that's done, we will be entirely even."