The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 290

It was the exact same sentence every single year.

In the past, even though she felt a sting of disappointment, a small smile would inevitably creep onto her face anyway.

Looking back now, maintaining that baseline level of effort for three years must have been incredibly taxing for him.

Chloe didn't read it again.

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.

She powered down her phone, popped open the SIM tray, pulled out the card, and effortlessly snapped it in half. She tossed the pieces into the nearest trash can without a second glance.

...

Outside Oceanview Heights.

Ken glanced nervously at Preston. The boss was dressed impeccably, but the aura radiating from him was growing darker and more volatile by the second.

"Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes might still be asleep..." Ken offered cautiously.

"She declined my call."

"Maybe she's still angry about yesterday?"

Preston stared at his phone screen and suddenly let out a low chuckle.

"Today is different."

His eyes were pitch black, his tone absolute. "She would never hold a grudge against me today."

He opened the Eternity Journal app.

Every year, Chloe would pour her heart out in a long, beautifully written letter.

This year's letter was extensive:

[Preston, Happy Anniversary.

I hope to spend every single year with you for the rest of our lives. Year after year, day after day, I will always be by your side. Forever.

Let's go see the cherry blossoms this time next year, okay? You promised me, though I'm not sure if you remember.

...Preston, happy third anniversary. I love you.]

Preston read the words, the corners of his lips curving upward.

"Liar."

He pocketed his phone and strode into the luxury building.

Ken followed closely behind as they rode the private elevator up. When the doors slid open, they found the front door to the penthouse wide open. A real estate agent was actively walking clients in and out of the foyer.

Preston froze.

His expression instantly darkened. He marched forward, his voice like ice. "Who the hell are you people?"

The agent blinked at him. "Can I help you?"

He dialed again.

*"We're sorry, the number you have dialed is out of service..."*

A third time.

*"We're sorry, the number you have dialed is out of service..."*

Preston stared dead at his screen, holding his hand out toward Ken. "Give me your phone."

He used Ken's phone.

He used the real estate agent's phone.

He used every number he could think of.

Every single call went straight to *"out of service."*

Preston's hand hung in the air for a second before he hurriedly opened WhatsApp to text her.

A glaring red exclamation mark immediately popped up next to the message.

He stared at that red exclamation mark for two agonizing seconds.

Then, he tapped on her profile picture, only to find the screen blank. Her WhatsApp account had been permanently deleted.

In that exact moment, a suffocating wave of sheer panic finally crashed over him.