Chapter 11 Don’t Think You Can Just Walk Away
Finished
At first, Stella thought Chase was only bluffing. But in the dim light, as it flickered across his face, she caught the look in his eyes–and in that instant, she knew he meant every word.
Flustered and furious, Stella stormed out, leaving Chase alone, exhausted, as he collapsed onto the bed. He slung an arm over his eyes. Through the crack beneath the door, music from the party still filtered in. That world of lights and laughter felt far away now.
It took him a long time to finally sink into the darkness.
He didn’t know how much time had passed when he heard soft, rustling footsteps creeping closer. Still half–asleep, he thought it was Stella again and was about to sit up–until the heavy scent of alcohol hit him. Then, someone suddenly pounced on him.
Chase froze for a few seconds, instinctively moving to push them away–until he caught the familiar scent.
“Wendy?”
She seemed drunk.
“I’ve been looking all over for you. The butler said he saw you come into my room.” Wendy’s whole body collapsed against his, like she couldn’t hold herself up anymore.
Then she looked up, her long hair spilling over his shoulder in soft, teasing strands that tugged at something deep inside him.
“You’re drunk. I’ll have someone make you some sobering soup.” He moved to help her onto the bed and get up.
But she didn’t let him.
Wendy pushed him back down.
“I looked everywhere for you, and you’re just hiding in my room without saying anything?” she said, pressing her lips to his cheek.
Chase frowned and pushed her off. “Wendy, do you even know who I am right now?”
“Chase.”
She sounded dazed, slurring his name over and over.
“Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Sleeping.”
She seemed impatient now, tugging at his suit jacket. “Why are you wearing so much?”
His instinct was to stop her. After all, they were already divorced–this was crossing a line.
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Chapter 11 Don’t Think You Can Just Walk Away
But…
Chase was still a man, and the woman he’d loved for years was right in front of him.
Finished
They hadn’t been intimate in a long time. Ever since Henry came back, all of Wendy’s attention had been on her first love. There had been no time–or energy–for Chase.
They’d been sleeping in separate rooms for so long that Chase had thought she was saving herself for Henry.
It wasn’t something he’d ever made a big deal of. Over time, he got used to it.
Wendy’s hands felt like fire, igniting everything they touched. Chase finally gave in, flipping her beneath him.
“Wendy, do you really know who I am?”
He asked again. This time, Wendy sounded almost annoyed.
“Chase, what’s wrong with you?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “I’d never mistake you.”
That much was true.
Wendy had never treated Chase like Henry’s replacement. They were nothing alike.
Just this once.
Let it happen. Let it be the last time. If Wendy could still recognize him, then maybe… this was. what she wanted tbo.
Neither of them knew when the party downstairs had ended. The two of them didn’t care. Chase used the last of his clear–headedness to lock the door, then climbed back into bed.
Before dawn, Chase quietly got up and slipped out of the room.
He poured himself a glass of water. That was when he noticed someone nearby. At first, he thought it was the butler, but as he stepped closer, he saw it was someone else entirely.
“Chase, you’re still here?”
It was Henry.
No longer putting on his usual act, Henry finally bared his teeth–like a territorial wolf catching
an intruder.
Chase held his glass, startled at first, but then slowly regained his calm. He was still Wendy’s ex- husband. And Henry? He was just a former boyfriend who’d been sent abroad after breaking Wendy’s heart. He hadn’t been part of her life all these years.
If anything. Henry was the one trespassing now.
Chapter 11 Don’t Think You Can Just Walk Away
in–law. The real question is–what are you doing here? You had a whole family overseas, a daughter too. So what’s this? You back to claim what you think is yours?”
Henry laughed quietly, stepping closer in the shadows. “What, are you mad at me now?”
Chase shrugged. “Not really. Just seems like you’re unnecessary at this point.”
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“You couldn’t make Wendy fall in love with you after all these years. That’s
‘s your failure. I’m just here to take back what’s mine. Even if the Harrison family disowns me, I still matter to Wendy. If you had any dignity, you’d walk away now. I don’t want to show you too much of who I really.
am.”
But Chase already knew who Henry was. They were both men. You could see a lot in the way someone looked at a woman. He’d never believed Henry was as harmless as he seemed.
Henry had been engaged, married, had a child. Even after divorce, he could’ve stayed abroad and lived a good life. So why come back now? Because he couldn’t let go of Wendy–and couldn’t give up the status she
had now.
In short, he wanted it all.
“I’m not trying to fight you for anything.” Chase said, drinking his water and checking the time. He had to head to the hospital soon. “Wendy made her choice. I’ll respect it.”
“If that’s the case, then give her the time and space. If she really wants to get back with you, fine. It won’t stand in the way. Chasing love isn’t worth anything if you have to steal it.”
Chase brushed past him and headed for the door.
“I heard you’re going ad,” Henry said suddenly.
Chase nodded
“But if VAT
ing you your space. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
ay just like that–what does that make you to Wendy?”
So well what it felt like to love someone and never be able to forget them.
eft now, he’d become the next Henry.
ity would never forget him for the rest of her life.
And Henry couldn’t let that happen.
So he had to do something.
-Chase, you
stole Wendy from me. It’s time you paid for that. Don’t think you can just walk away.
I won’t let you leave a single trace of yourself in Wendy’s heart.”
Then, with a strangled cry, Henry collapsed to the ground.
Chase jumped.
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Chapter 11 Don’t Think You Can Just Walk Away
seeing.
Then came the sound of fast footsteps on the stairs. Stella was the first to reach Henry.
“Oh
my god–Henry! What happened? Why is there so much blood?!”
Chase stood frozen, frowning. His eyes met Henry’s–and in the place where Stella couldn’t see, Henry raised his brow with a smug little twitch.
This was Henry’s move.
