Chapter 238
"What would I be afraid of? You're overthinking it." Chloe's eyes darted away, avoiding Howard's gaze. She wouldn't admit to her own foolish thoughts. Some things were better left unsaid.
"Is that so?" Howard raised an eyebrow and leaned in, his eyes locking onto hers. When she tried to turn away, he cupped her face in his hands. His deep eyes stared into hers, his voice gentle. "Don't be cold. Don't say the opposite of what you mean. Can you tell me what you're afraid of?"
Faced with such a gentle Howard, Chloe's heart pounded. She bit her lip, and after a long moment, under his patient guidance, she finally spoke. "I was just wondering... how long you'll be with me." As she said it, she lowered her eyes, hiding the turmoil within. Her hands, resting on her lap, clutched the hem of her clothes, betraying her anxiety.
She knew Howard loved someone else. She knew he would leave her eventually. But she couldn't help but drown in his gentleness, falling deeper and deeper. She had prepared herself not to fall in love with him, but the more time they spent together, the more uncontrollable her feelings became.
There was a saying: the one who falls in love first, loses completely. Chloe couldn't afford to lose again.
Howard looked at her, his heart melting. "If I had to put a time limit on this relationship," he said, his voice full of sincerity, "I would hope for a lifetime." He truly wanted to be with her forever, until death did them part. But he also knew that his Chlo was scarred from a past failed relationship. She needed time to heal. And he needed to prove, with time and action, that he would always choose her, love her, and protect her. That he was her best choice.
After a moment of internal struggle, Chloe looked up again, her eyes clear, the complex emotions gone. She just smiled. "I hope so too."
"I also hope our friendship can last a lifetime, that we can accompany each other through the long years."
Howard's eyes dimmed. He wanted to say more, but Chloe gently pushed him away.
"You should go rest. I'll do the dishes." She picked up the plates and went to the kitchen. Soon, the sound of running water filled the silence. Howard stood there for a long time before finally turning and going upstairs.
Back in his room, he closed the door and leaned against it, a self-deprecating smile on his lips. "Who wants to be your friend for a lifetime?" he muttered to himself.
Chloe waited until she heard his footsteps fade away before letting out a long sigh of relief, her hand on her chest. That was close. She had almost mistaken herself for the woman he loved. It was better not to get her hopes up. The only one who would end up in a bottomless pit of despair would be herself. Nothing was more reliable than friendship, right?
With that thought, she finished the dishes, put them away, and went back to her room.
The next morning, Howard came downstairs in a black suit coat. Teddy was already waiting. He pointed to two paper bags on the dining table. "Mr. Miller, I bought two breakfasts as you requested. Will you have yours now, or wait for Mrs. Miller?"
Howard's expression was cold. He glanced at the bags, then walked out of the villa without a word, his hands in his pockets. "I'm in a hurry. I'll eat on the way."
Teddy scratched his head, grabbed one of the bags, and hurried after him. He couldn't shake the feeling that Howard was in a bad mood. Had he and Chloe fought last night? Strange. They always had breakfast together.
The black Maybach sped down the wide road. The silence in the car was heavy and oppressive. Teddy kept glancing at Howard in the rearview mirror, wanting to say something but holding back. He was almost certain that Howard and Chloe had fought. Howard was only this quiet when he was in a bad mood.
After feeling Teddy's gaze on him for the tenth time, Howard slowly opened his eyes, his gaze meeting Teddy's in the mirror. "What do you want to say?" he asked, his tone cold.
"Nothing, Mr. Miller. Did you not sleep well last night?"
Howard ignored the pointless question and closed his eyes again. "I'm fine."
Teddy's mouth twitched. This was far from fine. If he wasn't afraid of being yelled at, he would have pointed out the dark circles under Howard's eyes. Oh well, his life was more important.
Meanwhile, at the Miller Villa.
"I'm late!" Chloe's eyes flew open. She saw the time on her phone and immediately jumped out of bed, rushing to the bathroom. She got ready in record time and hurried downstairs. Her alarm hadn't gone off, and she had overslept. She had set it not because she had anything urgent to do, but because breakfast was the only time Howard had to spend with her lately.
When she got to the dining room, the table was empty except for a single bag. Where was he? Had he left without her? A sense of emptiness washed over her. She took a deep breath, sat down, and opened the bag. Inside was a single breakfast.
Chloe's face fell. She took out the sandwich and ate it, but it tasted like cardboard. She didn't know why she was so upset. She had gotten used to his company, and his sudden absence at breakfast left a gaping hole. She knew, when she saw the single breakfast, that he hadn't planned on eating with her today.
She finished her breakfast in silence and pulled out her phone, unable to resist sending a message to Adeline.【Adeline, I think I'm sick.】
If she wasn't sick, why would she be so upset over Howard not having breakfast with her? It was so strange.
Adeline: 【What?】
Before Chloe could reply, a video call came through. As soon as she answered, Adeline's worried face appeared on the screen. She was rushing out of a meeting room. "Where are you sick? Is it serious? Have you seen a doctor? Where's Howard? Does he know you're sick?" A barrage of questions, a testament to her concern.