When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Marcus’s face lit up the moment Titus stepped into the room. “Ah, Titus. Chiara mentioned you were tied up today. You really didn’t have to go through the trouble of coming here,” he said with a warm smile.

Titus reached out and took Marcus’s hand gently, bowing his head slightly in a respectful gesture. “I wanted to visit earlier, but the doctors insisted you needed rest. How are you feeling now?” he asked with genuine concern.

“Much better, thank you,” Marcus replied, his tone softening. “And how is your grandmother? Is she doing well?”

“She’s in good health,” Titus answered calmly.

“That’s good to hear,” Marcus said, then shifted his gaze to his quiet granddaughter sitting nearby. “Chiara, come here.”

Chiara hesitated for a moment but then placed her hand in Marcus’s. He pressed it firmly together with Titus’s hand, holding their joined hands tightly in his own.

“Titus,” Marcus began, his voice steady but carrying a hint of gravity, “Heather and Chiara have endured so much since losing their parents. With my health declining, I can’t watch over them like I used to.”

“Heather is capable of managing on her own, but Chiara… I’m counting on you to look after her.”

Chiara’s brow furrowed slightly, discomfort flickering across her face as his words sounded eerily like a final wish. “Grandpa, please,” she whispered softly.

Noticing the tension in her posture, Titus stepped closer and gave her a reassuring smile. “She’ll always be safe with me,” he promised quietly.

Marcus’s shoulders seemed to relax as he turned to Heather. “And Heather, it’s time you start thinking about your own future. The company—”

“The company is in good hands,” Titus interrupted gently, his voice calm and confident.

A genuine smile finally broke across Marcus’s face. “That puts my mind at ease.”

Marcus glanced between his granddaughters before addressing them both. “Heather, Chiara, would you mind giving us a moment? I need to speak with Titus privately.”

Chiara’s anxiety rose immediately. Marcus hadn’t mentioned Elaine’s visit to the hospital since he woke up. “Grandpa…” she began hesitantly.

“Be a dear,” Marcus said with a warm tone. “I’ve been craving those sausages from the street cart downstairs. Would you get some for me?”

Chiara opened her mouth to protest, but Heather gave her a quick glance and gently took her arm. “Let’s go,” she said softly, guiding Chiara toward the door.

“But—” Chiara started to object again.

“He knows what he’s doing,” Heather whispered reassuringly.

Reluctantly, Chiara followed, though she stole one last glance at Titus before the door clicked shut behind them.

After the sisters left, Marcus turned back to Titus. “Titus,” he said carefully, “are things rough between you and Chiara? Is she talking about divorce?”

Titus met Marcus’s eyes steadily. He knew Chiara wouldn’t bring this up herself, which meant Marcus must have sensed the tension between them.

Instead of explaining, Titus simply reassured him. “Don’t worry. We’re not getting divorced.”

Marcus studied Titus closely. After a lifetime of reading people, he could tell that Titus meant every word.

“And that woman who came to see me in the hospital…” Marcus continued cautiously.

“She misunderstood the situation,” Titus replied evenly. “There’s nothing going on between Elaine and me.”

Seeing the sincerity in Titus’s eyes, Marcus finally believed him.

Marcus had always liked Titus, but it pained him deeply to see his granddaughter unhappy.

“I can tell Chiara hasn’t been herself lately. Just be good to her, will you? If not for me, then for the bond I share with your grandparents,” he said earnestly.

Titus’s expression grew serious, his brow furrowing slightly. “Chiara is my wife,” he said firmly. “Taking care of her is my responsibility. You have nothing to worry about.”

A relieved smile spread across Marcus’s face. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

Watching Marcus now, Titus was reminded of the day the Lynch family fell apart. His grandmother had called him, her voice filled with concern, asking him to look after the Lynch sisters.

Even if Chiara had never come to him, he would have stepped in for Debby’s sake to prevent the Lynch Group from falling apart.

He had made sure no one could seize control of the company while it was vulnerable. But that was where his involvement ended—after all, he was a businessman, not a philanthropist.

Chiara completed another level before meeting his gaze. “That’s not what I said,” she answered evenly.

During his long absences, she had stuck to her routine between hospital and home. The loneliness stung, but she never let herself drown in self-pity.

It was only knowing he was with Elaine that truly hurt her, leaving an ache she desperately wished would fade.

As she rose to return to the hospital room, Titus stepped forward, blocking her path.

“I’m bringing you home tonight,” he said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

“We’ll see about that,” she replied coolly.

In one smooth motion, Titus drew her close, lifting her chin with a playful smile. “Trying to stall me? Who’s been feeding you ideas?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she said after a pause, her voice icy.

His smile deepened as he lowered himself to her eye level. “You understand perfectly,” he murmured softly.

Chiara tried to pull away, eyes darting nervously. “We’re in a public hallway. Let me go.”

“Since when can’t a man hold his wife?” he teased gently.

“It’s not that. People might walk by,” she protested.

Titus’s eyes lingered on her lips before he closed the gap. “Don’t worry,” he whispered against her mouth. “It’s not illegal.”

Chiara frowned and pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him away.

To her relief, Titus didn’t push further, ending the kiss after a dozen seconds.

Then he pulled her into a gentle embrace. “Your sister’s been working on a new project,” he said quietly. “She didn’t tell you?”

His casual words made Chiara freeze. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.