The surroundings were dim.

The lamp on the dining table cast a soft, hazy glow, yet it couldn’t illuminate the profound, inscrutable emotions in the man’s eyes.

Walker watched her eyes turn red, the heartbreak in them plain to see, and his own heart ached.

His sharp Adam’s apple bobbed as he began to speak. "Chloe, I saw her wheeled into the delivery room, writhing in agony. I heard her blood-curdling screams. She went through hell and back just to have a child. All I could think at that moment was, what if that were you in there? What would I do? I would lose my mind."

He lowered his gaze slightly, his voice dropping even lower. "Chloe, for the rest of our lives, just the two of us is enough. The Grant family already has Noah; I don’t need to carry on the family line. So I don’t want you to go through that kind of pain."

"And did you ask for my opinion?"

Chloe’s tone was cold as she asked the question lightly.

"Sorry."

Walker’s voice was hoarse. "I admit I was wrong. I should have asked you before I got the vasectomy."

"Hah..."

But Chloe scoffed. "And you thought I felt the same way?"

Walker frowned slightly. "You don’t? Chloe, it’s me you love most."

’A child is completely unimportant.’

’Our relationship doesn’t need a child to sustain it.’

’For the past eight years, our love for each other has been more than enough.’

"You’re horrifying." Chloe’s body tensed, and her clear eyes held a trace of unfamiliarity, as if she were seeing him for the very first time. "You don’t want children, but I do. I admit I said I wanted a life with just the two of us, but not wanting to have kids and not being able to are two completely different things."

But Walker said, "Isn’t it just because you saw Noah that you suddenly want a child?"

Chloe took a deep breath. "Walker, discussing this right now is pointless. Get up. I’m going home."

’I’ve already achieved my goal for attending the dinner party tonight.’

’It had a few twists and turns, but at least I accomplished my goal: I made a friend in Preston Vance.’

’I’m just happy that Sunny Reed didn’t get the upper hand.’

’So, I’m in no mood to keep dragging this out with him.’

Walker saw the cold distance in her eyes, and the suffocating tightness in his chest didn’t ease. Instead, it grew heavier.

"I’ll take you home."

he murmured, then grasped her hand.

But Chloe pulled her hands behind her back, wanting no physical contact with him. "That’s not necessary. I’ve already called for a car."

She became even more cold and distant, refusing to even look at him.

Walker gave a slow smile, his voice magnetic. "Chloe, let me take you home. This shouldn’t be difficult. Otherwise, I can’t say what I might do."

"You...!"

Chloe stared at him, aghast. "Are you threatening me?"

"If this is what it takes to make you listen, I don’t mind resorting to it." Walker reached out and grasped her hand.

Her hands had been clenched into fists, but as she looked at his handsome, severe face, a chill ran down her spine.

Her fingers went limp, letting him take her hand.

Her voice was strained and her chest ached dully. "Walker, is bullying me the only thing you know how to do?"

"I’m not bullying you," he said. "I’m ensuring your safety. It’s late, and I worry about you going home alone." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Chloe closed her eyes, her face etched with pain.

Outside the restaurant, a cold gust of wind made her shiver. A moment later, his suit jacket, still carrying his warmth, was draped over her shoulders.