Chapter 329 I'm Over You (Part 2)
After she bailed, Andrew crashed at the apartment for the night, sprawled out on the bed surrounded by her stuff—mostly things he'd bought for her.
Chloe was a total slob, and the bedroom was always a disaster zone. Usually, it was Andrew who picked up after her, even washing her stained panties when she was on her period.
Her scent still clung to the pillow.
Andrew couldn't sleep, so he got up and parked himself on the sofa, chain-smoking.
Clutching his phone, he thought if she called, he'd pick up in a heartbeat, even if they didn't say much. Just hearing her voice would be enough.
But the whole night dragged on, the ashtray overflowed, and her call never came.
Deep down, he knew it was over. 'Why would she stick around for me?'
At dawn, Nathan, worried sick, barged in.
The room was a smoke-filled haze, and Nathan coughed, "Mr. Devereux, you gotta take care of yourself. This smoking is killing you."
Andrew glanced at him, stubbed out the cigarette, and slumped onto the sofa.
After a long pause, he muttered, "I need you to do something for me."
He knew Chloe didn't need anything, but they'd had a good run. Breaking up meant his life was gonna be like this. Money didn't mean jack to him anymore.
Andrew gave his instructions slowly.
Nathan was floored.
Andrew's love life was a rollercoaster. The stuff he gave her was more than what most divorced couples would do.
It was like he was giving away his whole fortune.
Nathan didn't argue and got to work.
The next day, he set up a meet with Chloe at a fancy café.
Nathan got there first, rocking a dark brown suit, fiddling with a lighter, a thick stack of transfer papers beside him.
After a bit, Chloe showed up and sat across from him. "Does he have something to say?"
Nathan looked up and was stunned.
In just a month, Chloe had lost a ton of weight and looked totally worn out.
He quickly stood, pulled out a chair for her, and tried to chat calmly. But Chloe eyed the stack of papers and cut to the chase, "Is this his way of paying me off?"
Nathan felt awkward and after a long pause, he nodded.
Chloe took the papers, flipped through a few pages, and then gently stroked the paper with her slender fingers. She spoke softly, "Since it was just a game between us, why make it so dramatic? I don't want any of this. Tell him I won't cling to him."
After saying this, she seemed drained.
Even she was in a daze for a long time.
They'd been together for so long, and what he gave her and what he promised made her think they'd be together forever, that she could always stay by his side, and he'd protect her from everything.
But it wasn't true!
Nathan tried to talk her into it for a long time, but she wouldn't budge.
He went back to tell Andrew, who stood by the hotel's floor-to-ceiling window, back to him, silent for a long time before saying, "Got it."
Nathan left, and Andrew lowered his eyes, staring at the diamond ring in his hand.
Of course, a girl as pure as her wouldn't take those things!
Andrew never knew he could love someone so much. It was fine when he was working, but when he had free time, he dreamed of her all night. In crowds, he'd unconsciously turn to look behind him. Even when hanging out with Gregory and the others, he'd always look at the door, as if Chloe would walk in with tearful eyes the next second, calling him Andrew.
Over time, he realized it was hard to stop thinking about her.
About a week later, they ran into each other. It was at a banquet in Syeattel, a total surprise.
She was there with Frederick.
She looked delicate and charming.
Andrew was with Grace, and when he spotted Chloe, he froze up.
Grace wasn't dumb.
She knew her thing with Andrew was just a casual fling, nothing serious. There were a few women like her around him. But since that backstage run-in with Chloe, he'd gone radio silent.
Not long after, Nathan dropped off a check.
She knew this was Andrew's way of cutting ties for good, and he probably wouldn't be showing up at her performances anymore.
Sure enough, word got around that Andrew wasn't hitting the party scene much these days.
She figured he had someone and was keeping it on the down-low.
But she knew who it was, though she didn't dare to say anything because she couldn't afford to piss off someone like Andrew. Until Andrew showed up again, she was thrilled.
She thought he was feeling nostalgic and things could go back to how they were.
But she was wrong.
Andrew only watched the performances or took her to social events, but nothing more.
Grace knew she couldn't marry Andrew, but she was cool with staying friends. On one hand, he'd never treated her badly, and on the other, she needed his clout and connections.
Right now, Andrew and Chloe were locking eyes, both looking like they were about to cry.
Grace didn't know what beef they had, so she smiled and whispered, "Mr. Devereux, why does Chloe look like she's about to cry when she sees you?"
Andrew ignored her, just staring at Chloe.
Chloe looked at him, then at Grace holding his hand, and turned her head away.
She leaned closer to Frederick.
Feeling hurt, her lips trembled, and she rested her head on Frederick's shoulder.
Frederick looked down at her and asked gently, "You tired of standing?"
She nodded and then hugged Frederick's waist.
Their sibling-like closeness made Andrew super jealous. He never thought he'd be jealous of Frederick.
Grace glanced at him, feeling a bit salty.
She greeted warmly, "Frederick, you and Chloe have such a good relationship; it makes people jealous."
Frederick was always cold to women.
Grace was hot, but with a touch of flashiness he didn't like.
He was very cold, but Grace didn't mind. Instead, she got even more enthusiastic, staring at Chloe's face and saying, "I know a few young talents who'd be a good match for Miss Hawkins. How about we set up a coffee date sometime?"
Andrew happened to come over.
She took his arm affectionately and asked warmly, "Andrew, don't you think so?"
Andrew stared at Chloe.
She looked back at him, her eyes full of tears.
After a long time, Andrew slowly smiled and softly said, "Frederick, you should let your parents find someone for Chloe."
At this moment, Frederick was very afraid of Andrew, as his future was in Andrew's hands.
So he nodded and patted Chloe's head lovingly. "You should start dating!"
Chloe stared at Andrew. She was pissed, but she held it in at the public event, instead smiling brightly, "I'll listen to Andrew."
After saying this, she excused herself and left.
Andrew watched her go, gently clenching his fingers.
Grace, full of charm, said, "She seems mad. If she's mad, just win her back. I'm rooting for you two. If you get together, don't forget to thank me. I'm rarely this generous."
Andrew shook her off and walked away lightly.
Chloe walked to a deserted terrace, quietly looking at the distant river, her eyes unknowingly moist.
Why was she here?
She wanted to go home!
Behind her, footsteps sounded, and then the door was locked.
She guessed who it was, turned her head slightly, and indeed saw Andrew standing there.
Her eyes were filled with tears, her thin frame evoking pity.
He softly called her name, "Chloe."
Chloe pressed her back tightly against the railing, looking at him in a daze, whispering, "Don't come over! Andrew, don't come over."
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