Chapter 4
With those words, Chloe grabbed her purse from the sofa and walked out without even glancing at Arthur.
"Chloe, stop right there."
Arthur strode after her with his long legs.
The natural difference in their pace meant Arthur caught up quickly.
Chloe quickened her steps, trying to shake him off.
A phone suddenly interrupted.
The man seemed to halt his pursuit.
Chloe had never heard Arthur use that ringtone before. Something made her slow down, curious to hear what he would say.
"What? Something's wrong with the baby? I'll be right there."
That single sentence sent Chloe's heart plummeting into an icy abyss.
That special ringtone must have been set specifically for Avery, and he had stopped chasing her because something had happened with Avery's baby.
Chloe laughed bitterly at herself.
She didn't doubt Arthur's feelings for her. But in his heart, nothing was more important than the company.
As Avery's child became closely linked to the Williams Group succession, he would inevitably give both Avery and the child the same priority he assigned to the heir position.
She was already exhausted from years of forced competition with Avery. All she wanted was a home with someone who had eyes only for her.
Once love became mixed with other agenda, it was like spoiled candy—it only made you sick.
With this thought, she sent a message to her best friend, Adeline Taylor.
[Adeline, do you know of any places for rent?]
Arthur hung up the phone, watching Chloe's silhouette disappear down the hallway, his brow furrowed.
"Jacob White."
The assistant standing nearby stepped forward. "I'll go stop Mrs. Williams right away..."
"No need. Go to Silverwood City and deliver that batch of jewelry I set aside to Chloe."
"But that batch was supposed to go to Ms. Scott first."
The jewelry from Silverwood City was far inferior to what Arthur had purchased abroad. Though all designer brands, they lacked the unique design and rarity of the pieces he'd bought at auction.
"I'll check on the baby myself. You deliver these to Chloe first."
With that, Arthur walked to the elevator.
The cold white light outlined his severe expression.
Chloe would understand eventually. Everything he did was for their future.
Without the inheritance rights, all the hardships he and Chloe had endured over the years would be for nothing.
Meanwhile, Chloe had arrived home.
A servant approached to hand her slippers, but she forgot to take them, standing barefoot on the cold floor.
Perhaps it was an illusion, but the icy surface made her feel warm.
The room before her was filled with memories they had created together. Every place her gaze fell reminded her of tender moments they had shared.
But those sweet memories now felt like needles stabbing her heart.
She walked toward the bedroom.
She wasn't normally one to cling to the past, but because it was Arthur, she had been willing to endure.
Thinking of her unwavering faith just days ago, Chloe laughed until her eyes turned red.
How easily old love changed, yet we were surprised when it did.
The human heart truly was the most unfathomable thing.
With these thoughts, Chloe pulled out a suitcase and packed a few clothes haphazardly.
After a moment's consideration, she added the expensive clothes and jewelry Arthur had bought her. Starting a new life would require money, and she wouldn't let pride lower her or her baby's standard of living.
As she closed the suitcase, she heard the front door open.
Chloe's heart tightened.
Had Arthur returned?
If he came back, she definitely wouldn't be able to leave today.
Having known him for so many years, she understood his temperament well. Though outwardly gentle, he was stubborn and domineering—which was precisely why she had rushed to bring up divorce.
Steeling herself, she walked out of the bedroom but didn't see Arthur.
Standing in the entryway was Jacob.
Seeing the bags in Jacob's hands, she immediately understood.
"Mrs. Williams, Mr. Williams asked me to deliver these jewelry pieces and gifts to you."
Jacob held seven or eight shopping bags, with over a dozen more arranged on the floor, each emblazoned with a massive designer logo. Several were brands that Avery particularly loved.
Chloe laughed coldly to herself.
"Mrs. Williams, Mr. Williams is only thinking of the company and your shared future. Please accept these and don't hold this against him." Jacob extended the designer bags toward Chloe.
Chloe, pulling her suitcase, gave Jacob a long look.
"Jacob, we've known each other for eight years, haven't we?"
Jacob seemed confused but nodded. "I've known you since Mr. Williams first joined Williams Group."
Back then, Arthur had been nothing but a disowned illegitimate son. The family had reluctantly given him a director position just to save face.
"You were an impressive jewelry designer then, and such a perfect match for Mr. Williams."
"Then you should know I'm no clinging vine. Once I make a decision, I don't go back on it," Chloe cut him off.
"Mrs. Williams..."
"Tell Arthur the divorce is non-negotiable."
With that, Chloe picked up the gift bags from the floor. If Arthur wanted to compensate her, she wouldn't pretend to be too proud to accept.
After all, her five years of youth, time, and love were worth far more than these few bags.
As soon as Chloe got into her car, she listed the items on a resale marketplace.
These were all highly sought-after luxury goods.
Just after selling the first batch of gifts, her phone rang. It was her best friend Adeline.
"Chloe, what happened that you need a place so urgently?"
Chloe briefly explained the situation with Arthur. Adeline was furious on the other end. "That Arthur is a real piece of work! After all the sacrifices you made to finally conceive his child, how could he go behind your back and get Avery pregnant? Has he lost his mind?"
"When you chose him, I thought he was the family-first type, especially after being childhood sweethearts for so many years. Who knew he'd be so shameless!"
As Adeline defended her, Chloe felt strangely calm.
"It's fine. Better to see someone's true colors before the baby is born than after," Chloe said. "About the apartment—I'll need your help finding something."
"I have a friend who's abroad, and their place is vacant. Could you stay there for a couple months while you figure things out?"
Chloe examined the floor plan and location Adeline sent.
It was an ordinary two-bedroom apartment—not large, but centrally located with convenient transportation.
"A good location like this must be expensive," Chloe remarked.
Without Arthur's support, she needed to budget carefully, making every dollar count.
"He's in a hurry, preferably someone who can move in and sign the contract today." Adeline said, and in her rush, Chloe didn't notice Adeline's momentary hesitation.
With Adeline's help, Chloe moved into the cozy two-bedroom that same day.
Adeline explained that the landlord had left the country urgently and could only sign the contract via messaging.
Chloe added the landlord's contact. His profile picture was a beautiful blue sapphire cut surface, shimmering with crystalline light.
For some reason, the image seemed familiar to Chloe.
She sent over the contract, but received no immediate reply.
Just as Chloe was preparing for bed, her phone chimed.
The photo showed Avery lying on the bed in Arthur's mansion, wearing the pink silk pajamas Chloe had once loved. And in the corner of the image, around her ankle, was the "Whale's Tear" anklet.