She smiled at her grandmother. "That’s right. You’ll have to help with my kids in the future, though I have no idea who their father will be."
Walker Grant’s expression darkened.
A look of understanding flashed in the old woman’s eyes. She smiled but said nothing more.
Chloe Reed wanted to stay the night, but Walker Grant kept watching her with a grim look in his eyes.
She furrowed her brow slightly, afraid he might say sothing he shouldn’t. "Grandma, it’s getting late," she said. "We should be going."
But the old woman took her by the hand, led her straight into the study, and asked in a hushed voice, "Chloe, what’s going on? Aren’t you two getting a divorce?"
Chloe Reed’s eyes flickered. "We are," she said. "It’s just... sothing ca up that hasn’t been resolved yet. Once it’s completely settled, there’ll be nothing left between us."
"But from the way Walker is acting," the old woman said, "it looks like he’s regretting it, doesn’t it?"
Chloe Reed gave a small smile. "He won’t. He’s just joking with you. He cares imnsely about his older brother’s children. Have you forgotten? He had a vasectomy."
Upon hearing this, the old woman’s expression soured. "He really doesn’t have his priorities straight. Sacrificing his own family for soone else’s kids... I still support your decision to divorce. I think Preston is a good man. It’s just a sha he’s not your type."
Chloe Reed said, "Okay, let’s not dwell on it. I’ll co over tomorrow and take you to the hospital."
"Alright, good."
...
As they erged from the apartnt building, the light from the streetlamps cast long shadows behind them.
Chloe Reed walked behind him, intentionally keeping so distance between them.
"Chloe?"
Just then, Preston Vance’s voice called out. He was holding a leash and walking his dog.
"Preston."
Chloe Reed’s eyes flickered for a mont, but she still managed a gentle greeting.
Preston Vance walked over. His eyes flickered as he took in the sight of them walking together. "Here to see your grandmother?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," Chloe Reed nodded.
Preston Vance asked again, "How’s your grandmother doing?"
"She’s doing well."
The exchange was clipped and distant.
Preston Vance sensed it. He looked like he wanted to say sothing but hesitated, glancing at Walker Grant beside her.
The implication was obvious: he wanted to speak to Chloe Reed alone and was waiting for Walker Grant to leave.
But Walker Grant acted as if he hadn’t noticed the look, standing off to the side with his eyes fixed on the dog.
Chloe Reed blinked. "Preston," she said, "I have to get going. I have sothing I need to do."
Preston Vance’s brow furrowed. "Chloe, I want to ask you sothing."
Her sudden coldness and distance confused him, and he wanted to find out why.
But it seed she wasn’t even going to give him the chance to ask.
She shook her head. "So other ti. I really do have to go."
"Alright, then."
Preston Vance didn’t press the issue. He watched her leave with Walker Grant, his eyes darkening behind his glasses.
’Why did she suddenly start avoiding ?’
’What happened?’
...
「The next day.」
Chloe Reed accompanied her grandmother to the hospital. At the entrance, she said, "Grandma, call if anything happens. I’ll be waiting for you right out here."
The old woman chuckled and nodded. "Alright. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."
Chloe Reed thought of Susan Bowman and still felt uneasy. She called Daniel Hayes over and said, "You should go inside with my grandmother."
Daniel Hayes hesitated. "But what about you?"
"I’m staying right here," Chloe Reed said. "I’m not going anywhere. Besides, there are others watching over . It’s crowded here, nothing will happen."
Hearing this, Daniel Hayes had no choice but to nod.
Chloe Reed watched them go into the hospital, then took out her phone and dialed Zachary Bowman’s number.
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