The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 9

Preston's head was turned slightly to the side. A vicious red handprint flared against his pale cheek. His jaw flexed as he turned to look at Chloe.

"Are you hurt?"

His chillingly calm voice terrified Linda even more. She scrambled forward in a panic.

"Mr... Mr. Hayes! Are you okay? Oh my God, it's a huge misunderstanding! This stupid girl was acting out, and I heard she upset you, so I was just trying to discipline her for you..."

When Preston didn't say a word, Linda panicked further. She babbled incoherently while trying to grab Chloe's arm again.

"Say something, you idiot!"

The next second, her wrist was caught in a brutal grip and violently shoved away.

Linda gasped, looking up into a face full of dark, lethal rage.

Preston wrapped a protective arm around Chloe's trembling shoulders. The gentle, polite son-in-law was gone. In his place was a ruthless predator.

"Chloe is my wife. What gives you the right to discipline her?"

Linda stammered, "I... I just wanted her to behave..."

Preston's expression darkened. "She doesn't have to behave for anyone. Don't ever touch her again. Consider that a threat."

Linda had never seen the normally smiling executive look so genuinely dangerous. Too terrified to speak, she shot Chloe a look of pure hatred instead.

Realizing the situation was completely botched, Leon didn't dare bring up his legal troubles. He grabbed Linda, and the two of them scurried out of the room like rats.

A suffocating silence filled the private dining room.

Preston let out a heavy sigh. Just as he always did, he reached out to pull Chloe into a warm embrace.

She shoved him away with all her strength.

He let out a dry, frustrated laugh. "Chloe, I'm taking a slap to the face every day now. Doesn't your heart hurt for me even a little? Are you still mad?"

When Chloe kept her head down and refused to speak, he sighed in surrender, leaning down to cup her face in his hands.

The moment he saw the tears streaming down her cheeks, he froze.

The suffocating anxiety of the past two days finally shattered her composure. Silent tears poured relentlessly down her face.

She didn't want to cry in front of him. She scrubbed at her eyes frantically, but the tears just wouldn't stop.

This was only the second time Preston had ever seen her cry.

The first time was at their wedding.

She had honestly believed that was love.

Looking back now, she realized the terrifying truth. In three years of marriage, he had never actually said the words 'I love you.'

"Preston, do you remember what I told you back then?"

Preston looked confused, clearly not catching the reference.

Chloe had her answer. The last shred of hope in her eyes died. Without giving him another glance, she turned and headed for the door.

Her pace quickened.

Suddenly, a waiter stepped into her path.

"Miss, the bill for your private room hasn't been settled yet."

Chloe was already pushed past her breaking point, but she forced down her rage.

"Charge whoever ate the food. I told you when I walked in, I was only here to find someone."

The waiter knew she was right, but he wasn't backing down.