The more familiar the route became, the colder Chloe Reed’s expression grew.

Just then, her phone rang. She pulled it out and saw it was a call from Iris Yates.

"Hello."

"Chloe, your wedding ring is going up for auction tomorrow night. It’s not too late to change your mind if you’re having second thoughts." Iris Yates had already arranged the auction, but she was still worried and had to call to check in.

"I don’t regret it." Chloe Reed’s tone was perfectly calm. "Go ahead with the arrangements. Once the money comes through, I’ll send you on a vacation."

But Iris Yates couldn’t bring herself to be happy. She sounded worried. "Chloe, are you serious? That ring was a testament to your journey together."

Chloe Reed’s fingers curled slightly. She hadn’t felt anything before, but now her palm was tingling with heat.

She fell silent for a couple of seconds before saying, "But every time I see it, it just reminds me of how pathetic I was all those years."

Iris Yates went quiet.

Chloe Reed managed a small laugh. "It’s fine. Go ahead and arrange it."

"Okay."

The call ended.

The gaze of the man beside her landed on her. "Who were you talking about?"

Chloe Reed ignored him.

Walker Grant gritted his teeth, his expression turning grim.

’Does she regret the eight years we were together?’

’But she was the one who gave me a love letter back then!’

When the car reached Jardinelle, he didn’t unlock the doors. His sharp eyes stared intently at her. "Chloe Reed, you’re truly heartless."

But Chloe Reed retorted, "I’m no match for you, Second Young Master Grant. Your heart is so ’gentle’ it has room for everyone."

Her tone was thick with sarcasm.

This only made Walker Grant angrier.

Chloe Reed said, "We’re here. Why aren’t you unlocking the doors? Are you planning to make me sleep in the car?"

Walker Grant replied in a low, suggestive voice, "It’s not like we haven’t slept in here before. What’s the harm in doing it again?"

The past...

They had gone camping once. The temperature dropped drastically after sunset, and it was too cold in the tent, so they’d gone back to the car.

They could see the stars through the sunroof, lying on the reclined seats to watch them.

As they watched, his hands started to wander, and she had been stirred by his touch.

Gradually, a layer of condensation fogged the windows, eventually blurring the view outside completely.

They had shared so many sweet moments.

But the sweeter the past, the more it pierced her heart to remember it now.

Chloe Reed’s breathing grew heavy. She took a deep breath, and her voice was raspy when she spoke. "Don’t talk about the past. Walker Grant, you’ve lost the right to talk about the past."

’Great.’

’So she’s not just negating our eight years together.’

’She’s negating me, too.’

Walker Grant stared at her, his expression dark. Suddenly, he pressed a button, and the passenger seat began to slowly recline. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Chloe Reed’s expression changed the moment she realized what was happening. "What are you doing?"

The seatbelt pulled her back with the seat, and she scrambled to unbuckle it.

But Walker Grant was already moving, looming over her and pinning her against the seat.

"If we’re not talking about the past, let’s focus on the present. I think the mood right now is perfect for doing what a husband and wife should be doing."

Walker Grant pinned her hands to stop her from struggling wildly, then leaned down to kiss her.

"You bastard!"

The space was too cramped for Chloe Reed to move. His breath ghosted over her skin as he kissed her cheek, her chin, and then finally, her lips.

Then, the kiss suddenly changed, becoming fierce and rough.

It was as if he were trying to vent some unspoken emotion.

He looked like he wanted to devour her lips and tongue, bite by bite.