When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 47

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**Silent Roads Remember by Sawyer**
**Chapter 47**

“Alright, put me down,” Chiara said, her voice firm yet laced with a hint of playful defiance.

Titus felt a lump form in his throat, the weight of her words pulling him from the bubble of intimacy they had shared. He forced himself to tear his gaze away from her captivating eyes, finally meeting her challenging stare.

“Why are you still acting like a little girl?” he teased, his tone light but with an underlying current of sincerity.

Chiara, however, misinterpreted his jibe as a comment on her shyness, a trait she had always struggled with.

But in her mind, she wrestled with the thought, ‘Can anyone truly control the instinct to feel shy?’

She quickly realized her mistake. “Shut up,” she snapped, irritation flaring in her chest.

Titus, unfazed, noticed the delicate scent of jasmine that clung to her palm. With a playful arch of his brows, he pressed a gentle kiss onto her skin.

Chiara recoiled instinctively, as if his lips had burned her.

But Titus leaned in, his voice low and teasing, “I just helped you out.”

Chiara bit her lip, a mix of confusion and indignation swirling inside her. ‘Who asked for his help? I can handle this myself,’ she thought, her pride stung.

“Should I say thank you?” she shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Titus chuckled softly, the sound rich and warm. “No need. We’ll just call it even.”

Chiara blinked at him, utterly perplexed. ‘What does he even mean by that?’ she pondered, trying to decipher his playful banter.

Yet, the intensity of Titus’s gaze held her captive, his eyes not wavering for a moment. In that instant, her mind spiraled into a realm of daring thoughts. She was no longer a naive child; she understood precisely what he was insinuating.

Her heart raced, and she quickly turned her head away, her voice trembling with disbelief. “No way!” she exclaimed, feeling a surge of panic. She definitely couldn’t entertain that idea.

Titus let out a soft sigh, tinged with disappointment at her reaction, but he was not one to wallow in self-pity. They needed to shift gears.

Now that he had finally released her from his embrace, a surprising lightness filled Titus. He reached out, ruffling her hair affectionately, a gesture that spoke volumes of their bond.

“Goodnight,” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm.

Chiara squeezed her eyes shut, and after what felt like an eternity, the comforting embrace of sleep finally enveloped her.

When dawn broke, Chiara awoke to the rare sight of Titus still beside her. A sense of warmth washed over her as she lay there in a daze, her mind slowly transitioning from dreams to reality. She glanced down, noting his arm wrapped snugly around her waist, a possessive yet tender gesture. She attempted to shift away, but he only tightened his grip, as if unwilling to let her go.

“What time is it?” Titus mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

Chiara paused, stealing a glance at the clock perched on the bedside table. “Seven,” she replied, her tone a mix of reluctance and resignation.

“Mm, let’s stay in bed a little longer,” he murmured, his eyes still closed, his voice a soft plea.

Chiara turned to face him, curiosity piqued. “Aren’t you going to work?” she asked, a hint of concern threading through her words.

“I am,” he responded, his tone casual.

“Then let go of me. I need to get to work as well,” she insisted, her voice firm.

At her words, Titus finally opened his eyes, focusing on her with a mix of surprise and reluctance. “Do you really have to go?” he asked, his voice low, almost pleading.

Chiara remained silent, but her expression spoke volumes. She was resolute, her attitude leaving no room for negotiation.

Titus was not the type to exert control over others. In fact, he admired strong, independent women—the kind who could stand their ground and face challenges head-on.

Yet, when it came to his own wife, the dynamics shifted.

He reluctantly pulled his arm back, reaching for his phone to check the time, while Chiara slipped out from under the covers, thinking the discussion was over.