The night was thick. His tall, slender figure was elongated by the moonlight, and a lonely, cold aura clung to him. Standing in the courtyard of Jardinelle, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

The rich scent of nicotine filled his chest, numbing his nerves. He lifted his gaze to Chloe Reed’s room as a thin, white wisp of smoke rose, obscuring his sharp, handsome features.

Chloe Reed slept restlessly. Half-asleep, she sensed someone standing by her bed.

She opened her eyes and saw that, sure enough, someone was there.

She raised a hand to shield her eyes and frowned at him. "Are you a ghost?"

Walker Grant lifted the covers, got into bed, and pulled her straight into his arms. "Chloe..."

Chloe Reed caught the smell of smoke on him and immediately pushed him away. "Get up. Don’t touch me!"

But Walker Grant only held her tighter. "Chloe."

Chloe Reed felt a wave of nausea. "Get up, I think I’m going to be sick..."

Walker Grant froze and let her go.

Chloe Reed scrambled out of bed and ran to the bathroom, where she dry-heaved for a moment.

Walker Grant followed her. His dark, narrow, almond-shaped eyes watched her grimly. "Are you pregnant?"

Chloe Reed frowned. "The smell of smoke on you is too strong! It’s making me sick."

She rinsed her mouth, and the nausea subsided. She felt a sense of relief.

She looked at him with cold eyes. "I take the pill every time, have you forgotten?"

Walker Grant’s expression darkened. He didn’t move any closer and said, "You don’t have to take the pill. I’ll wear a condom."

"Heh..."

But Chloe Reed just scoffed. "Then why did you get a vasectomy reversal?"

Silence fell in the bathroom.

She walked straight out and got back into bed.

However, the blanket and pillows were now saturated with the smell of cigarettes, and the scent made her uncomfortable.

With a look of annoyance, she went and found a fresh set of sheets and a new duvet cover to change the bedding.

Walker Grant went back to his own room. When he returned, he deliberately leaned close to her and said, "I showered. The smell is gone."

She unconsciously held her breath as soon as he came near, but it was clear he intended to stay, so she gradually relaxed.

He carried the light scent of body wash, and indeed, the nauseating smell of smoke was gone.

Chloe Reed simply rolled over, turning her back to him.

Walker Grant lay down behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and rested his forehead against her shoulder.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Chloe Reed felt a flicker of unease. ’The smell of smoke has never affected me like this before. Could it be... did my birth control fail?’

’Am I really pregnant?’

’I have to buy a pregnancy test tomorrow and check.’

’I can’t be pregnant right now.’

’Besides, I don’t want to get pregnant. I don’t want to have his child. We’re destined for divorce, and I don’t want another tie binding us together.’

That night, Chloe Reed did not sleep soundly.

The next day, after Walker Grant left for work, she went out with Annie York. She had Ann go to a pharmacy and buy a pregnancy test.

Back in the car, Ann looked at her and asked, "Chloe, are you pregnant?"

Chloe Reed pressed her lips together slightly. "I’m not sure, so I’m testing to find out."

They went straight to a hotel. The wait was agonizing, and Chloe Reed was so nervous her palms were sweating.

Seeing her in this state, Ann asked directly, "Chloe, why didn’t you tell Mr. Grant? You two seem to be doing pretty well. Wouldn’t having a baby make things even more perfect?"

Chloe Reed shook her head. "He and I will divorce sooner or later, so I absolutely cannot have a baby right now."

Just then, the result appeared on the pregnancy test.