Chapter 385
Chapter 385:
“You don’t have to thank me. I’ll keep looking after you even after you’re married p>
His words settled in my mind, and I found myself biting my lip and exhaling a quiet sigh. Two weeks had passed since I left Daniel’s house, and mornings felt heavier now. His face came to me with every dawn, and to push it back I buried myself in an endless stream of tasks.
Craig had stopped by twice after I mentioned taking a temporary break from work, but I hadn’t returned his calls, or answered Rian’s messages, or those from Nanny Emily, or even my mother-in-law’s.
“Come on, let’s go or we’ll be late p>
We climbed into his car, the bodyguard and driver already waiting up front, and headed out into the night.
My jaw dropped the moment we stepped out of the car. Camera flashes burst around us from every direction, and paparazzi crowded every corner of the entrance. On instinct, I tightened my grip on Bryan’s arm as we made our way toward the hotel.
R𝖾а𝖽 𝘰n 𝗮𝗻у 𝘥𝘦𝗏i𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” Bryan’s voice was calm as he glanced at me, steady and reassuring.
I managed a nervous smile, biting my lip as we walked inside. Even so, I couldn’t shake the feeling that running into Daniel tonight was nearly inevitable. I hadn’t actually planned to accept Bryan’s invitation, but given everything he had done for me over the years, I simply couldn’t say no.
“Do you think he’ll be here?” I whispered, scanning the room as we crossed the lobby.
Bryan let out a soft laugh and shook his head.
“I knew it. The only reason you agreed to come is because you thought you might find him here. Are you actually hoping he shows up p>
I tried to look indifferent, but the truth was obvious. I rolled my eyes at his teasing. “That’s not it. This is a high-profile event — almost every major figure in the city’s business world is on the guest list. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were here p>
He gave me a knowing look. “So you’re saying it wouldn’t bother you if he walked in with someone on his arm p>
I was about to fire back, but I noticed his attention had shifted. Following his gaze, my heart stopped for a fraction of a second.
Daniel Kelley stood out in the crowd with effortless composure, and beside him was a woman I recognized all too well. Chloe. Memories of that night in the parking lot came rushing back — her lips on his, the triumphant way she had introduced herself at the last party.
Daniel was deep in conversation with a circle of business associates, while Chloe held court nearby, clearly savoring the attention of every man within range.
“That’s Chloe Enriquez — sole heiress to the Enriquez family and, more to the point, your husband’s ex.” He let that last part linger a beat too long. “And in case you didn’t know, she’s also his business partner here in California p>