Chapter 282

Chapter 282

"What if I could stay with you forever?" Howard slowly pulled the car over to the side of the road, his expression serious as he looked at Chloe.

Chloe froze.

A forced smile tugged at her lips.

"It's fine, Howard. I was just talking." Chloe tried to sound casual.

"I'm serious." Howard reached out, cradling her head as he slowly leaned closer.

Chloe could practically hear her own heart hammering against her ribs.

"Chlo, I can stay with you. Forever." Howard's voice came out rough and low.

"Howard, you're drunk!" Chloe protested.

She was rambling now, even though Howard hadn't touched a drop of alcohol tonight. He'd barely sipped the juice in his glass.

So who did he think she was in this moment?

Her vision blurred with unshed tears, but Chloe slowly closed her eyes anyway.

She loved Howard, even though she'd never said it out loud.

Because of what Howard had told her before, she knew deep down that the two of them probably didn't have a future together.

Suddenly, warmth pressed against her lips. Chloe wrapped her arms around Howard's neck.

Since they'd have to part ways eventually, she might as well be bold right now.

Howard's body went rigid for a moment.

He probably hadn't expected Chloe to be so forward.

His hands slowly circled her waist.

But Howard didn't take things any further.

He loved her enough to give her the respect she deserved.

It was a kiss that tasted like citrus and sage.

Long and passionate.

After what felt like forever, Howard finally released Chloe from his embrace.

Chloe's face was completely flushed.

"Want to grab some late-night food?" Howard asked randomly.

Chloe shook her head. "It's late. We should head back."

"Okay, whatever you want." Howard slowly started the car.

They drove in silence, but Howard's hand stayed firmly clasped around Chloe's.

Sweetness bloomed in Chloe's chest.

Even though she knew this happiness would come to an abrupt end someday.

At the Miller Villa.

The moment Howard parked, Chloe bolted from the car and ran.

Watching Chloe's panicked retreat, a smile played at Howard's lips. "You really are like a girl experiencing her first crush."

The next day was Avery's sentencing.

In the courtroom, Karen sat pale-faced, watching Avery in the defendant's chair as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Derek looked like he'd aged years overnight. He shot an irritated glance at Karen's sobbing. "Useless. What good is crying? You can't even save your own daughter!"

"What's the point of saying that now!"

The two started arguing right there in the courtroom.

Avery looked at them both. "Dad, Mom, save me!"

The judge slammed his gavel down hard. "Order in the court."

Karen and Derek were escorted out, and the courtroom fell quiet again.

There were no miracles. Avery was sentenced as expected.

Karen collapsed in tears outside the courthouse.

Derek didn't even bother helping her up. "You're useless. All you do is cry!"

Then he walked away without looking back.

"Derek, don't you have a conscience!" Karen shouted at his retreating figure, no longer caring about appearances.

Derek turned back, his voice ice-cold. "Karen, I never wanted to marry you. You forced yourself on me!"

His cruel words shattered the last of Karen's defenses.

Watching Derek's resolute departure, Karen realized for the first time that she'd been loving the wrong man all these years.

"Derek, don't you dare regret this!" Karen muttered at his disappearing form.

She struggled to her feet, one shoe lost somewhere along the way.

Karen stumbled home in a daze, her hair disheveled beyond recognition.

After walking for who knows how long, she finally made it back to find several workers moving furniture out of the house.

Derek was talking to the head worker about something.

"Derek!" Karen rushed over, grabbing his arm desperately. "Derek, what are you doing?"

Derek shook her off in disgust. "Get off me! Your daughter's in prison and you still think you deserve to live in a nice house like this? You think you're worth it?"

Derek's words pierced Karen's heart like needles.

"Derek, what are you saying? Are you kicking me out?" Karen stared at him, finally seeing him clearly for the first time.

Derek snorted coldly. "Karen, I let you enjoy the good life for years. I've done more than enough."

He yanked his hand away. "Karen, I've sold this house. The buyers are taking possession in three days. I suggest you find somewhere else to crash."

Derek turned and went inside.

The moving trucks hauled away all the furniture.

After the rumble of engines faded, the empty mansion fell silent again.

Looking at the stripped house, Karen covered her face and crouched on the ground. "Derek, even you don't want me anymore. Where can I go?"

"Go wherever you want. I'd rather you take Avery's place in prison." Derek said viciously.

Karen knew Derek had no feelings for her. She'd kept him on a tight leash all these years.

She'd even dragged away one of Derek's mistresses who was five months pregnant and forced her to get an abortion. It had been a fully formed baby boy.

Derek was heartbroken but didn't dare speak up.

Because Karen had dirt on him, and he was afraid she'd drag him down with her, so he'd endured it for years.

That's why Derek only had Avery as his daughter after all this time.

Now that Derek was getting older, it was too late to have more children.

With his only daughter in prison, he had no reason to tolerate Karen anymore.

"Derek, Avery isn't our only daughter. We still have hope! Don't abandon me." Karen clutched at Derek's arm.

"Karen, you've really lost it." Derek assumed Karen was talking nonsense.

"I'm not crazy, Derek. It's true—we really do have another daughter! Don't you remember when we got together while I was still married to Edward?"

"What do you mean? Are you talking about Chloe?" Derek frowned slightly.

"If it wasn't for that little bitch, the Scott family wouldn't be in this mess. Don't tell me Chloe is my biological daughter." Derek's hands trembled slightly.

Karen shook her head. "Our child isn't Chloe. Our daughter is being raised by Edward's ex-girlfriend, and she's doing very well."

Karen looked at Derek hopefully. "We're her biological parents. She'll want to come back to us."