Walker leaned back against the headboard, his expression darkening as he listened to her.

His eyes traveled over her before finally settling on her stomach.

A moment later, he threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Chloe’s mind was a haze. With him gone from her side, she quickly fell back asleep.

When she woke again, it was already two in the afternoon. She had slept nearly the whole day away.

She got up groggily, her body aching and her legs weak. ’That animal,’ she cursed Walker silently, over and over.

She took a shower, feeling much more refreshed and comfortable afterward. She checked the cabinet, but there were no birth control pills.

Her brows furrowed. ’Did he not hear what I said?’

She lowered her eyes. ’Or maybe he heard me and simply chose not to do anything about it.’

Chloe left the bedroom. From the living room, she heard a man’s deep, magnetic voice discussing company business.

Chloe didn’t understand any of it. She leaned against the railing and glanced down, seeing several men in suits sitting on the sofa, typing on laptops.

’So he’s holding a meeting here.’

Just as Chloe was about to look away, Walker, as if sensing her presence, looked up from the living room and met her gaze.

Their eyes met. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

She immediately looked away, descended the stairs, and headed straight for the door.

"Where are you going?"

Walker’s deep voice came from behind her.

Chloe replied coolly, "To see my grandmother."

Walker said, "I’m almost done. I’ll go with you."

Chloe said, "That’s not necessary. You can just have your men follow me."

"I’d still be worried."

After saying this, Walker gave a few instructions to the others before announcing, "Let’s wrap it up."

The men took the hint, quickly packing their things and leaving one by one.

They even greeted Chloe as they passed her.

"Mrs. Grant."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Grant."

"..."

Chloe’s expression remained impassive as she watched Walker get up and walk toward her. His face was a little pale.

Their rough session in the early morning hours had reopened several of his wounds, but he had paid them no mind. She, in turn, hadn’t cared enough to ask what was done about them afterward.

Chloe looked away. "Aren’t you afraid you’ll drop dead if you follow me?"

But Walker just said, "I’ve already taken the money. Naturally, the service has to be complete."

Chloe was rendered speechless.

Her expression turned icy, and she strode forward quickly.

The driver pulled the car up, and she went straight for the front passenger seat.

The driver froze when he saw this. "Mrs. Grant..."

"Are we going or not?"

Chloe demanded coldly, "If you’re not going to drive, I’m getting out."

The driver immediately looked to Walker. "Mr. Grant, this..."

"Just drive."

Walker settled into the back seat. Seeing the cold expression on Chloe’s face, he didn’t press the issue.

The car drove smoothly down the road. As they passed a pharmacy, Chloe ordered, "Pull over."

The driver slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden stop.

Chloe opened the car door and got out. Walker watched her enter the pharmacy, his eyes darkening.

She came back quickly, with a bottle of water in hand. Right there in the car, she took the pill.

The atmosphere in the car turned frigid.

Once they reached Maplewood Gardens and were in the elevator, Walker finally broke the silence. "You don’t need to take those pills. I’ll wear a condom."

But Chloe retorted, "And how would I know you wouldn’t tamper with the condom?"

Walker’s expression darkened. "Chloe Reed, is that really what you think of me?"

"I just can’t risk it."

Chloe was perfectly calm. "What if I did get pregnant? What would we do? I don’t love you anymore. Bringing a child into the world with parents who don’t love each other—that would be irresponsible."