The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 31

Chloe sidestepped him. "This has nothing to do with you."

Preston grabbed her wrist, his voice cold and hard. "Mrs. Hayes, don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

She tugged hard, trying to free her hand, and snapped, "I'll say it again. It has nothing to do with you!"

Preston's gaze turned somber. In a fluid motion, he pinned her against the wall, his eyes locking onto hers. "Who is he? Where did you go? And why didn't you answer my calls?"

Chloe glared right back, her smile icy. "Mr. Hayes, haven't I already signed the papers? Instead of hovering around your precious female bestie, you're obsessing over who I'm with? What, do I still have some use to you?"

"Chloe!" Preston suppressed his rising temper. "I had no idea your mother was faking her illness."

Chloe laughed. "Sure, I believe you. After all, you've always been so wonderfully upfront and honest."

"Do you have to speak to me like that?"

Stung by her sarcasm, Preston's gaze darkened with raw emotion. He leaned in and captured her lips in a punishing, desperate kiss, as if trying to swallow all her hurtful words.

"Preston... Mmph... Let me go..."

The harder she struggled, the more forceful his kiss became, bordering on absolute dominance.

His large, sculpted hand slipped beneath the hem of her shirt, pressing against the small of her back. The sudden, electrifying warmth sent a violent shiver down her spine.

Until a salty tear finally slipped down her cheek.

Preston froze instantly. He stopped and pulled back.

Moonlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, catching the glistening tear on her face.

His Adam's apple bobbed. After a long, heavy silence, his voice came out hoarse. "Chloe... I know you're hurting."

He gently wiped the moisture from her cheek and pulled her into a tight, secure embrace.

"I swear, I'll never let anything upset you again."

Chloe found the entire display utterly laughable.

Preston handed her a beautifully wrapped gift box he had prepared earlier. "Open it."

Preston's brow twitched. He instinctively wanted to stop her, but it was too late. Her resolute voice shattered the air between them.

"Let's get a divorce. You go chase your true love, and I'll go reclaim my own life."

Preston's gaze instantly turned dark and hostile. "Absolutely not."

"Why?" Chloe blurted out.

Preston let out a strange, low chuckle. "Chloe, I told you. I will not agree to anything regarding Jenna."

"What does your female best friend have to do with this? If you can't bear to let her go, then I'll get the hell out. Isn't that enough?"

Preston's eyes narrowed dangerously as he stepped into her personal space. "Chloe, what do you take our marriage for? There's a limit to these tantrums of yours!"

"I've made myself perfectly clear. If you don't like Jenna, you never have to see her again! I will only ever have one Mrs. Hayes in this lifetime. No one is going to threaten your status!"

Chloe let out a laugh of pure exasperation. "Preston, are you seriously playing this game? I couldn't care less about the status of Mrs. Hayes. Whoever wants it can take it!"