Just then, the black phone lying beside her buzzed.

Stanley's phone.

He paused, his hand releasing her neck.

She quietly let out a breath of relief.

If she wasn't mistaken, whoever was calling him at this hour had to be his childhood sweetheart—the one he'd loved but could never have—Northport's rising star, Kira Vale.

A month ago, Chloe had met Kira in person and added her on social media.

But that meeting had left a bad taste in her mouth. She'd gotten a clear sense of exactly what kind of person Kira was.

That day, Kira had put on a warm, friendly act, claiming she wanted to share stories about Stanley's past so that Chloe, as his wife, could understand her husband better. In reality, every story was about how good Stanley had been to her, and all the wonderful memories they had shared together.

Chloe had felt uncomfortable listening, wondering if she was just being petty. Then Kira dropped this line: "Chloe, I hope telling you all this doesn't make you suspicious about me and Stanley. You're not mad, are you?"

Chloe had laughed.

And then, today.

Ten minutes ago.

She'd posted something sweet about her marriage on social media—visible only to Kira.

Stanley hesitated for a split second, then reached for his phone and got out of bed to take the call.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even though he'd lowered his voice, she caught every word Kira said.

"Stanley, you have to come help me! Some stalker fans have cornered me!"

The desire that had clouded his face moments ago vanished instantly, replaced by sharp concern. "Where are you?"

"I've had some free time lately, and I was worried you weren't taking good care of Chloe, so I came to Harborcrest today. I didn't expect those crazy fans to recognize me—they've got me trapped and won't let me into the hotel!"

His brow furrowed deeper. "I'm on my way."

He hung up and turned to Chloe, his tone suddenly serious. "A friend ran into some trouble. I need to step out. Get some sleep."

Chloe sat up. "What friend? It's so late..."

Stanley's eyes curved slightly as he pinched her cheek. "Just someone I'm close with. When a friend's in trouble, you help."

Chloe nodded like the understanding wife she was supposed to be, but grabbed his hand. "Promise you'll come back early? I'm scared being alone in the hotel."

"I will."

His voice was lazy, but his hands moved fast—he nearly put his T-shirt on inside out.

Chloe watched in silence, a dull ache spreading through her chest.

Rationally, she knew she'd used Kira as a tool to protect the baby growing inside her.

Emotionally, seeing how fast Stanley moved for another woman... that first flutter of feeling she'd had for him curdled into something sour and disappointed.

After he left, she let herself relax for a while and scrolled through her phone.

Sleep wouldn't come.

Half an hour later, she refreshed her social feed and saw Kira's new post.

With you, I feel safe.

The photo was a selfie taken inside a car. But in the bottom right corner, plain as day, was a man's hand holding a bottle of water.

Stanley's hand was easy to recognize—he had a heartbeat line tattooed on his ring finger, and he was wearing his wedding band.

Several mutual friends had already commented.

Damn, Stanley really does drop everything for you.

Kira had replied with a playful slap emoji.

It's the middle of the night and you're with Stanley? What are you, the other woman?

Kira's reply: Get lost!

These were all Stanley's close friends commenting.

But one comment at the bottom caught Chloe's attention.

Professor Dudley: You're with Stanley?

Professor Dudley.

Full name: Ervin Dudley. Her graduate advisor.

Back at school, she'd only heard rumors that Professor Dudley came from money and was the unattainable crush of every rich girl on campus.

It wasn't until before her wedding, when she saw the Dudley family portrait, that she realized Ervin was actually a Dudley heir—Stanley's cousin. Among their generation, he ranked third.

Kira had replied to Ervin too. Twice, even.

Of course not! He came to Harborcrest with Chloe. Besides, Ervin, she can see your comment—don't make her overthink things, okay?

Also, why are you still up so late?

Everyone else kept replying to Kira, but Ervin didn't respond.

Chloe narrowed her eyes, thought for a moment, then replied to the earlier comments: Not overthinking anything.

The second she posted, a new message popped up.

Ervin Dudley: You're still awake?

The cold glow of the phone screen lit up Chloe's face. She instinctively straightened her spine.

Even though she'd graduated—even though she was married now—the name Ervin Dudley still carried weight. Like a thesis defense title flashing on a projector screen, it made her tense up out of reflex. He was a senior she deeply respected.

"Yeah, I slept too much during the day," she typed quickly, then added a cute cat sticker.

Ervin: You're pregnant. You should be resting properly. Where's Stanley? Out drinking again?

She sent another sticker before replying: I don't think he's drinking. He said a friend needed help with something, so he went out.

What about you? Why are you still up?

About a minute passed before Ervin's next message came through.

He sent a location pin—a hotel in downtown Harborcrest.

What a coincidence. I'm here on business. Just got to the hotel.

A coincidence indeed. Everyone seemed to be converging on Harborcrest today.

While she was lost in thought, another message popped up: Get some sleep.

But Chloe couldn't sleep.

Her heart was a mess.

When Stanley left, she felt awful. If he came back, she'd feel just as troubled.

She'd already figured it out. Stanley couldn't just drag her to a hospital for an abortion. Bringing her to a couple-themed hotel tonight—he probably planned to cause a miscarriage through sex.

A cruel, underhanded move.

But knowing it was cruel didn't change how she felt. Emotions didn't listen to reason.

She would work on pulling back the feelings she'd only just started to let grow. But she wasn't there yet. Stanley still affected her.

She clenched her fist and sent Ervin a message: Is there any way, without hurting the baby, to give me some kind of virus? Something that'll make me sick for a week or two? Preferably contagious.

A second later, Ervin's video call request popped up.

The ringtone startled her so badly she nearly dropped her phone.

The moment she answered, the man on the other end was removing his glasses. Light caught the delicate chain, glinting off the bridge of his nose.

His features resembled Stanley's, but there was something entirely different about him—colder, more severe.

"Ervin..." She raised the phone to eye level instinctively, like she was holding an imperial decree.

His voice was calm, but she caught a hint of gentleness underneath. "What's going on?"

Chloe's ears burned. The words she couldn't bring herself to say rolled around in her throat several times before finally tumbling out. "It's just—it's that... Stanley wants to—to do that with me. But I'm worried it'll hurt the baby. I said no, but he won't listen. It's really hard to deal with. You're a doctor—can you help me think of something?"

Ervin's gaze froze. His expression turned grim.

Chloe bit her lip and lowered her eyes, her thoughts racing.

It was embarrassing. But she genuinely needed help.

After a long pause, Ervin spoke. "Where are you? I'm coming."

"Not far! I'm in the city center too!"

She sent him her location.

About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.

She got up to answer it. Ervin stood in the doorway—white shirt, dark slacks, handsome and refined. Mature.

She let him in awkwardly and stood in front of the cabinet displaying adult products, twisting her fingers. "Ervin."

She'd tried to block his view, but he'd already seen.

His brow furrowed. "Don't stay here tonight. Come to my hotel."

Chloe blinked. "Huh?"

His tone was firm. "Get your coat. We're leaving now."

"But—"

"Don't worry," he cut in. "I'll call Stanley later and tell him you had stomach pains. That Grandfather sent me to get you."

Chloe thought for a moment. "Okay."

She had just turned toward the closet when a cool grip closed around her wrist. Ervin was staring at the bruise on her elbow. "What happened here?"

Chloe glanced down at it. "Stanley took me to get a blood test today. To check the baby's sex. The nurse who drew my blood was an intern—she left a bruise."

"A blood test to check the baby's sex?" A cold light flickered in Ervin's eyes. "What is he planning?"

Before Chloe could answer, Ervin scanned the room, his expression darkening further. "It's a girl?"

Chloe stared at him, stunned. "How did you know?"

Ervin closed his eyes briefly, releasing her arm. A smile crossed his face—one Chloe couldn't quite read. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Get dressed and come with me. As your teacher, and as your brother now, I'll protect you."

Chloe froze for a moment before it clicked. Ervin must have guessed what Stanley was planning to do.

Genuine emotion welled up in her chest. Her eyes reddened. "Thank you."

In a hotel across Harborfront Bay, Stanley sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a long cigarette burning between his fingers as he gazed out at the night skyline.

He lifted the cigarette to his lips and checked his watch. "It's getting late. I'll leave after I finish this."

The dark glass reflected his tall silhouette—and behind him, Kira Vale.

She wasn't short, about five-foot-eight, wearing a strapless gown. But the dress didn't look sexy on her. She was rail-thin, almost malnourished.

Though that kind of frame photographed well.

She frowned. "Fine. Do whatever you want. I'm going to take off my makeup."

Stanley turned to look at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Sure."

Kira smiled back. "You've already got a wife as pretty as Chloe. Why are you still looking at me like that?"

Stanley paused. He'd simply turned around to speak to her.

He didn't bother explaining. "You're pretty too. Go get ready for bed."

"I'm... also... pretty. Also." Kira walked over and stood beside him. "Chloe's not here now. Tell me—who's prettier? Me or her?"

Stanley's brow furrowed slightly.

The answer came to him immediately.

Chloe was prettier.

He still remembered the first time he saw her. For a moment, he thought he was dreaming—that he'd conjured up the image of a flawless woman.

Her face was bare of makeup, yet there wasn't a single imperfection. Her lashes were so thick and dark they looked like other women's after eyeliner and false lashes. Her lips were soft pink like strawberries, her face round and delicate.

Under the club's cold white lights, her pale skin seemed to shimmer with a subtle glow. The fitted white t-shirt and tiny shorts outlined a figure that was full but never heavy.

Five words summed up his first impression: Ripe for the picking.

Mouth-watering.

It had driven him to do something reckless—something that nearly got him a free meal and a place to stay.

His silence stretched on. Kira's expression turned wounded. "Our feelings have faded, haven't they? You've forgotten everything we went through together."

Only then did Stanley speak, his voice flat. "No. I was just about to say—you're the prettiest."

Kira pouted. "I don't believe you."

"It's true. I'm not lying."

"I won't believe it unless you stay here with me tonight."

Stanley crushed out his cigarette, his expression darkening.

He reached out and lifted a strand of her long hair, his tone coaxing. "You promised me. Once I become the Dudley heir and divorce Chloe, you'll go public with our relationship. Marry me."

"So tonight, I have something important to do with Chloe. Something that'll help me become the heir sooner. Let me go back, okay?"