When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 85

**TITLE: Silent Roads Remember by Sawyer**

**Chapter 85**

Wilbert clenched his jaw, a mix of frustration and disbelief coursing through him. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he exclaimed, his voice edged with irritation.

Jeffrey merely shrugged, his body language casual, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something deeper. “I’m not crazy, Wilbert. Chiara’s identity is something we can’t just toss around carelessly. As her brother, isn’t it only right that I protect her?”

Wilbert fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words. If it weren’t for the countless experiences they had shared since childhood, he might have entertained Jeffrey’s claims. But they had been through so much together; this felt different.

Finally, the tension bubbled over. “Is it because you still haven’t gotten over her?” Wilbert blurted out, his voice rising.

Jeffrey’s gaze turned icy, his expression hardening. “No.”

“Then why did you just—” Wilbert pressed, unable to let it go.

Jeffrey averted his eyes, his tone steady and calm. “What’s wrong? Did I cross a line?”

Wilbert was at a loss for words. It wasn’t that Jeffrey had overstepped; it was just that something felt inherently wrong about the entire situation.

“Then promise me you won’t ever develop feelings for Chiara!” Wilbert demanded, his voice firm and resolute.

Jeffrey’s eyes flickered toward Chiara, who was quietly savoring her coffee, a serene expression on her face. His brow furrowed slightly.

“I can’t promise that,” he replied, a hint of defiance in his tone.

“What? You…” Wilbert shot up from his chair, his face darkening as he gritted his teeth in disbelief.

“Do you even realize what you’re saying? Are you out of your mind?” he snapped, incredulity lacing his words.

A shadow passed over Jeffrey’s face, his eyes darkening with a hint of amusement. “It’s not like I haven’t lost my mind before.”

“You son of a…” Wilbert’s voice was a low growl, his frustration palpable.

Jeffrey shot him a sideways glance, unbothered. “She’s not even fazed, so why are you losing it?”

Wilbert’s gaze flicked to Titus, who was deep in conversation with Julius, seemingly oblivious to the brewing storm around them.

But deep down, Wilbert knew his friends too well. There was no way Titus and Julius hadn’t picked up on the tension simmering beneath the surface.

A headache began to throb at Wilbert’s temples, and he instinctively rubbed his forehead, trying to soothe the mounting pressure.

“Can you just quit it?” he pleaded, exasperation evident in his voice.

“Quit what exactly?” Jeffrey shot back, his tone challenging.

Realizing that Jeffrey was not going to relent, Wilbert clenched his teeth again. “Even if you can’t move on, Chiara is innocent. She doesn’t know anything about this mess. She’s had enough to deal with already. Why drag her into this?”

At last, Jeffrey fell silent, his gaze drifting to Chiara’s face, lost in thought.

Chiara, sensing the weight of someone’s stare, looked up, only to lock eyes with Jeffrey. His dark, intense gaze sent a jolt through her, and an inexplicable unease settled in her stomach.

Meanwhile, Lena, sitting nearby, kept her head down, her mind racing with questions.

What the hell is going on here? she wondered, her curiosity piqued.

Who’s really supporting Chiara? Mr. Goodman, Mr. Yates, or maybe both?

She shot a glance at Noreen, who subtly shook her head, signaling that she was just as confused.

Unable to contain her intrigue, Queenie discreetly pulled out her phone and texted Chiara: [Chiara, are you and Mr. Yates super close or something? He’s been staring at you nonstop!]

Chiara stared at her phone, unsure of how to respond. She had only met Titus’s friends a handful of times at the Goodman manor, and she certainly wasn’t close to any of them.

Queenie sent another message: [Wait, Chiara, do you think Mr. Yates actually likes you? OMG, he’s like besties with Mr. Goodman!]

Chiara read the message and fell into silence, her mind racing. She didn’t really believe that was the case, but Jeffrey’s behavior was undeniably puzzling.

Wilbert’s expression darkened further. Seriously, what are these two even doing? he thought, frustration boiling within him.

Chiara, lost in her thoughts, remained oblivious to the tension swirling around her.

But Jeffrey was relentless, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart race.

“Keep staring and I’ll pluck your eyes out,” Wilbert snapped, unable to contain his irritation any longer.

Jeffrey chuckled, finding amusement in Wilbert’s escalating agitation. “Damn, you’re ruthless.”

Wilbert managed a tight smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “If Titus ever finds out what you’re really thinking, trust me, he’ll be a lot harsher than I am. Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?”

At the mention of Titus, Jeffrey’s expression darkened, and Wilbert decided not to push any further.

No one wanted to dredge up the past; it was a well that had long since run dry.

Wilbert was merely trying to shake some sense into Jeffrey, to prevent them from repeating the same mistakes that had haunted them before.

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