Chapter 153
The next morning, my back felt like it was going to snap in half. I groaned, rolling out of bed and rubbing my sore waist. Parker had been… intense last night.
I walked out of the bedroom. Parker was in the kitchen, making breakfast. He looked back at me and grinned. "Go wash up. Food is ready."
I walked over and hugged him from behind, resting my forehead against his broad back.
Parker paused. "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing. Just wanted a hug."
He turned around and held me close. "It’s the weekend. I’ll take you out."
"Where?"
"Indoor rock climbing. I’ll teach you."
"Can we call Maya and Adam? The more the merrier."
Parker frowned slightly. "Can we not?"
"No. We have to."
Parker sighed, kissing my forehead. "Fine."
We met at the climbing gym in Somerville. Parker helped me with my harness. Maya and Adam arrived a few minutes later with Amy.
"Auntie Chloe!" Amy ran over to me.
"Hey, princess." I hugged her, then pointed at Parker. "Say hi to Uncle Parker."
Parker grinned and ruffled her hair. "Hey, kiddo."
"Go get changed," Parker told everyone. He grabbed my hand. "We’re starting on the easy wall."
We climbed for an hour. My arms felt like jelly. I unclipped and collapsed onto a chair near the juice bar.
"I’m done," I panted.
Maya slid a smoothie across the table. "Recharge."
I drank half of it in one gulp. "I need another one."
I stood up and walked toward the counter. Suddenly, a woman rushed at me.
Slap!
The sound cracked through the gym. My head snapped to the side, my face stinging. I stood there, stunned.
"Jessica!" Marcus Hayes ran over, grabbing the woman’s arm. "Stop it!"
He looked at me, guilt written all over his face. Jessica. His wife.
"I won't stop!" Jessica screamed. "She seduced my husband!"
Smack!
The second slap was louder. Jessica stumbled back, clutching her face.
Maya stood next to me, her hand still raised. A red print was already blooming on Jessica’s cheek.
"Who are you?" Jessica shrieked.
Maya stepped in front of me. "I’m her friend. And your husband is the one harassing her."
Maya looked at Marcus with cold disgust. "Look at him. He looks forty. Who would seduce that? If you can't control your man, don't take it out on others."
Marcus gritted his teeth. "I'm thirty-five."
Maya raised an eyebrow. "You don't look it."
Jessica turned purple. "You liar! Chloe seduced him! She left the company and he still chases her!"
"Watch your mouth."
Adam stepped up beside Maya. His voice was low, but terrifying. He loomed over Marcus.
Marcus paled. He grabbed his wife. "Let's go."
They scrambled away.
Parker pressed a bag of ice to my cheek. His face was dark.
Adam checked Maya’s hand. "Does it hurt?"
"A little." Maya laughed.
"Why did you jump in?" Adam scolded. "We are right here."
"Can you hit a woman?" Maya asked.
Adam paused. "No."
"Exactly. Women handle women."
Parker was staring at my cheek, his eyes burning with rage. "Does it hurt?"
I took the ice pack from him. "It's fine. Go climb. Don't let this ruin your mood."
Parker froze. He looked at me in disbelief. "My girlfriend just got slapped. You think I want to climb?"
"It’s no big deal," I said, trying to push him away. "Just go play, Parker."
Parker stared at me. "Chloe, what am I to you?"
I patted his arm. "My boyfriend. Go on."
Parker pushed my hand away. He looked at me for a long second, hurt flashing in his eyes. Then he turned and stormed out of the gym.
I sighed, closing my eyes.
Five minutes later, Maya grabbed me. "Get up. Come outside."
"I don't want to," I groaned.
"You need to see this."
She dragged me to the parking lot.
Parker had Marcus pinned against a car. He was beating him. Brutally. Marcus was limp, blood streaming from his nose, but Parker didn't stop.
Security guards ran over and pulled Parker off. Marcus slid down the hood.
Parker stood there, chest heaving, his knuckles bloody. He looked up and locked eyes with me.
I walked over. I reached for his hand. "You're bleeding. Let's go to the hospital."
Parker jerked his hand away. He didn't say a word. He got into his car and drove off, tires screeching.
I stood there, my hand hanging in the air.
"What happened?" Maya said softly.
"He needs to cool off," I whispered. "I'll drive myself home."
I drove back to the penthouse. The apartment was silent.
Parker walked out of the bathroom in a robe, his hair wet. He walked past me into the study without a glance.
I followed him. "What did Marcus say to you?"
Parker lit a cigarette, staring out the window. "He said you lived together for three years. He said you still love him."
"He's lying," I said quickly. "I don't love him."
But I couldn't deny the living together part.
Parker turned around. Smoke curled around his face. "Do you love me?"
The question hung in the air.
I opened my mouth, but no words came. I was scared.
"Do you?" I asked back. "Do you love me?"
Parker laughed bitterly. "I asked first."
"Ladies first," I tried to joke.
Parker just looked at me. His eyes were cold. "Right."
He turned back to the window.
I felt something break. "Okay."
I went to the bedroom and packed my suitcase. It didn't take long.
I rolled the bag to the door. I walked back to the study. Parker hadn't moved. I opened the window to let the smoke out.
"I'm leaving," I said.
Parker looked up. "Where?"
"My old apartment. I didn't cancel the lease."
He didn't stop me. He didn't say a word.
"Goodbye, Parker."
I walked out. The door clicked shut behind me. I tilted my head back to stop the tears.
The next morning, I went to HR and handed in my resignation.
Parker didn't come to the office.
I texted him: I resigned.
No reply.
Two days passed. Parker didn't show up. My resignation hadn't been processed yet, but the silence was deafening. I filled out a leave form. I needed to go home.