Chapter 27 I Am Her Husband
"Why isn't Chloe here? How come she didn't come?" complained Samuel as he sat in Donovan's car.
To Samuel, Chloe was like his own child. In her presence, he felt the joy of a familial bond.
"She's at work. You wouldn't want her to neglect her job, would you?" Donovan replied. "This time, you're going to stay with me. I've arranged everything with the hospital and doctor. We've got all the necessary medical equipment at home, so you won't need to go to the hospital regularly."
They reached Donovan's hillside villa around four in the afternoon. Several housekeepers came out to welcome them, but Chloe was noticeably absent.
Donovan furrowed his brow and asked the housekeepers, "Has Chloe not returned yet?"
"Not yet. Should we give her a call?"
Donovan had briefed the housekeepers on Chloe's situation the night before, so they responded smoothly in front of Samuel, prepared for these questions.
"No need, let's not disturb Chloe at work. She'll be back after her shift, and I can settle in then," said Samuel.
Dissatisfied, Donovan glanced back, half-hoping to see Chloe. Instead of her, another woman's car pulled into the drive.
"How's that for timing? Did you just summon me with your mind?" Paisley stepped out of her car and asked Donovan in a flirtatious tone just as Donovan's trunk popped open, revealing all of Samuel's luggage.
"Here, let me help with that." Paisley offered enthusiastically, moving to grab Samuel's belongings.
When Samuel caught sight of Paisley, he frowned slightly, but being the intellectual he was, he kept quiet.
"Just let the staff handle it," said Donovan as he walked into the house.
He was in a bad mood.
Paisley had already ingratiated herself with Samuel and had shown him to his room for rest.
"Samuel is exhausted. He's asleep," Paisley whispered as she tiptoed out of Samuel's room.
Donovan remained on the sofa, lost in thought.
About twenty minutes later, Chloe burst in, her cheeks flushed and her hair in disarray, looking as if she had just returned from far away.
"Where's Samuel?" Chloe inquired briskly, paying no heed to Donovan's mood and only glancing briefly at Paisley.
It was apparent to Chloe that she recognized Paisley from photographs and the chatter among colleagues.
"In his room, first floor, on the left. He's sleeping, so don't disturb him," Donovan directed.
This was Chloe's first visit to Donovan's home. He calmly guided her without any outward indication of his feelings. Meanwhile, Paisley's gaze fell on a wedding portrait of Donovan and Chloe hanging on the wall, causing her complexion to turn pale.
"What took you so long?" Donovan pulled Chloe toward him, making her sit on his lap, and instinctively placed a kiss on her face.
Paisley studied Chloe: tall and slender, with skin so delicate it looked like it could be punctured by a breath, large round eyes, a perky nose, and full lips. Her delicate features were stunning, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Even without trying, Chloe exuded a youthful, vibrant beauty.
"And who might this be?" Chloe knew she was Paisley and also knew that Donovan's display was meant for Paisley's benefit – to instigate jealousy. She was merely a pawn.
Considering Donovan had not been able to reach Chloe on the phone earlier that morning, she played along quite actively in an attempt to pacify his anger.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Donovan's neck, "I missed you, too. What kept you?"
Her coquettish demeanor was clingy, as she playfully rocked Donovan's neck, her words a mix of sincerity and playacting.
The fresh scent of her enveloped Donovan, making him feel so comfortable that he wished he could carry her to bed right then and there.
"Oh, you didn't tell me, who is this?" Chloe glanced at Paisley.
"She's just an old friend."
"I'm going to put my bag upstairs first." After saying that, Chloe went upstairs, smirking to herself, 'Just an old friend?'
Chloe had no idea where Donovan's room was. She was merely suggesting that she often came back to this house.
The quiet luxury of the hillside villa was almost startling. Chloe nearly tripped as she walked the staircase.
"You got married? You didn't mention that last time." Paisley's face turned pale, but she managed a strained smile.
"You didn't ask," Donovan retorted.
Donovan didn't quite understand his own feelings. perhaps he was very unsatisfied with Chloe's performance that morning, and he used the excuse of making Paisley jealous to genuinely get close to Chloe, and then planned to take his frustrations out in bed that night.
"Is this your wife?" Paisley asked Donovan.
Paisley was seething and jealous after seeing Chloe and Donovan's intimate moment and longed to thrust Chloe aside. She sat on Donovan's lap, a seat she had never taken before, and for a moment, she wondered if the two were putting on a show for her benefit, yet it didn't quite seem like an act.
Donovan lit a cigarette, his gaze landing on Paisley with a hint of arrogance, "Isn't she beautiful?"
Paisley lifted her head but didn't directly answer the question, simply stating, "It's your call on who's your wife. I'm leaving."
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