The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 23

Preston didn't even wait for Mason to finish. He hung up and sharply ordered Ken to dispatch a private helicopter immediately.

A heavy, panicked tension instantly suffocated the air.

In all the time Chloe had known him, she had never seen him this unhinged.

Preston grabbed her shoulders, his words rushing out. "Chloe, you go ahead to the island. I'll be right back."

A wave of pure exhaustion washed over her, mingled with bitter amusement. She offered a mocking smile.

"What's wrong? Is Jenna dying? Rushing back for a final goodbye?"

Preston's gaze turned glacial. He looked at her like she was a total stranger.

"Chloe, how can you say something like that? This isn't the time for your temper tantrums. Can't you see what's at stake here?"

Chloe's laugh was colder. "Who's throwing a tantrum? I admit, I don't have the guts your precious friend does. Risking her life just to fight over a man. I could never throw myself into the ocean just to make you stay!"

For once, genuine anger flashed across Preston's handsome face.

Right on cue, the roar of the helicopter echoed overhead. "Calm down," he said sternly. "Wait for me on the island. I'll be back soon."

Without a single backward glance, he boarded the chopper.

The hurricane-force winds from the blades whipped against Chloe, carrying the icy chill of the ocean, freezing her to the bone.

"Miss, are you still going ashore?"

The captain's voice broke the silence after what felt like an eternity.

Chloe watched the helicopter vanish into the night sky. She turned, stepped onto the ramp, and walked onto the Secluded Isle entirely alone.

The ocean breeze howled endlessly, churning up the salty, biting air. The waves crashed against the shore again and again, like unanswered whispers in the dark.

Finally unable to hold it back, she broke down, sobbing quietly into the void of the empty island.

When she was little, right before her father died in the line of duty, he had secretly brought her to this very place.

Here, he wasn't an undercover narcotics cop forced to hide his identity, and she wasn't the lonely kid verbally abused by her single mother every day.

She could ride on his broad shoulders and scream "Dad!" at the top of her lungs...

It had only been three days, but it remained the happiest, most carefree memory of her life!

Clinging to the fading image of her father's face, Chloe cried until she collapsed on the sandy beach. Curling into a tight ball, she fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

When she woke up, she was lying in a massive, pristine white bed.

Her skin was burning up; her head throbbed violently.

A woman who looked like a housekeeper was pacing outside the door, talking on the phone. Spotting Chloe awake, she rushed in.

"Mrs. Hayes, are you alright?"

She stared blankly for a few seconds before her brow furrowed.

"Why are you here?"

Preston, with dark circles bruising his under-eyes, let out a dry, exasperated laugh. "You were calling my name quite affectionately last night. Now you're awake and playing dumb?"

Chloe realized what had happened and scoffed. "What, did they save your golden girl? Or did you get to the hospital too late and her papercut already healed?"

At the mention of Jenna, Preston's expression shifted slightly. "Let's not talk about that right now."

He called the doctor in to check on her. Upon hearing her fever had broken, he finally relaxed and started dismissing the island staff.

"No need," Chloe interrupted. "Let's go back. I don't want to stay here anymore."

Preston assumed she was just being difficult over the previous drama. "I just got here, and you're already kicking me out?"

He reached out, pulling her waist against him, and leaned close to her right ear, his voice soft.

"You said you'd tell me the reason once we got to the island. Are you ready to tell me now?"

Chloe looked at his deliberately softened features and suddenly felt incredibly tired.

Even though her childhood wish had come true, she felt absolutely none of the joy she had imagined.

She said flatly, "Preston, you're never going to know the answer. There's no point in you staying here. Go back and keep your precious friend company."