Chapter 2

Chloe laughed even harder.

Adrian took one look at my bloodless face and finally snapped at her in a low voice.

"Enough."

Chloe immediately shook off his hand, tears filling her eyes.

"You yelled at me! You actually yelled at me because of Elena!"

"My whole life, even my brother never had the heart to say anything harsh to me!"

"Fine! Go be with Elena! I never want to talk to you again!"

She ran outside crying.

Adrian didn't even look at me before chasing after her.

"Where are you going? There are cars everywhere. What if you get hit?"

Chloe turned her head away from him sulkily.

"Then let them hit me and kill me. My brother's already gone, and now you don't want me either."

Adrian's voice softened as he pulled her into his arms.

"I never said I didn't want you."

"You'll always come first to me."

Chloe shot me a triumphant glance.

When she saw that I was expressionless, she pouted in disappointment.

Adrian brought her back over to me.

"Sorry. Chloe's been spoiled by all of us since she was little."

"She doesn't know when she's gone too far, and she has a bad temper. Don't stoop to her level."

I looked up at him.

"So everything she just said was true?"

Adrian stiffened for a moment.

"The jeweler called me today. Your ring is ready. I'll propose to you again."

"You're already married to her. What's the point of proposing to me again?"

"Adrian, I don't want some other woman's leftovers. Especially not a married man."

Adrian fell silent for a moment.

For once, he actually bothered to explain.

"Her brother died saving me. Chloe lost her only family."

"I promised I'd give her another family member in his place."

"That certificate was the only thing that could make her feel secure."

"You'll be her family too someday. Just cut her some slack and stop making such a big deal out of this."

That was exactly what Adrian had told me the first time Chloe came to my workplace and caused a scene.

Chloe had no family.

She was pitiful.

So I needed to accommodate her.

Chloe was only terrified of losing him.

So I needed to understand her.

I felt sorry for her.

But who was supposed to feel sorry for me?

"I promise this was the last time. I won't let her go to your workplace and cause trouble again."

Chloe hugged his arm.

"Fine, fine. I swear I'll never play 'catch the mistress' again. Happy now?"

"When are we going to eat? I skipped breakfast, and I'm starving."

Adrian immediately frowned.

"Who told you to leave without breakfast? Did you already forget about passing out from low blood sugar last time?"

He scolded her, but there was concern beneath his anger.

Then he glanced at me as though none of this mattered.

"Chloe already swore she wouldn't do it again. Stop dragging this out."

"You go home. I'm taking her to get something to eat."

I watched them walk away arm in arm.

Then a notification appeared on my phone.

My job offer had officially been rescinded.

No amount of promises could give me back what I had already lost.

I hesitated for a few seconds before contacting the company in London whose offer I had previously turned down.

They replied almost immediately.

"Elena, we've compared several candidates and were actually about to reach out to you again."

"If you're still interested, report to the office at nine tomorrow morning."

I booked a direct flight to London for that evening before replying with one word.

"Yes."

This time, I'd chosen a company far enough away.

Even if Chloe wanted to play "catch the mistress" again, I wouldn't be around to play along.