Chapter 92

Chapter 92
Chloe drove to the school in silence, her thoughts frozen on the moment Ruan walked into the bathroom and saw her naked. The way her body reacted to his gaze still energized her, as if the moment hadn't ended.

“When I get back from school, will my dad be home waiting for me?” Chris's voice pulled her back to reality. Chloe had to force her eyes toward him.

The car sat in the parking lot when Grace got out, taking the boy in her arms.

“Something tells me your dad isn't leaving anymore,” Grace said. Chloe looked at her, thinking it was a tasteless joke and that she shouldn't mislead a child. “I mean, even if you guys move away one day, your father will go with you.”

“You shouldn't lie to a child,” Chloe said, resting her bag on her shoulders and looking at the school entrance. “Christopher is old enough to know his father and I are no longer together.”

“I believe Aunt Grace,” Chris said as soon as his feet touched the ground. “I also believe Daddy is going to move back in with us.”

Chloe looked at her son’s face and saw a spark of hope she hadn't seen since Ruan left. The boy was happier. He ran toward the school entrance, skipping and humming a song. She didn't have the heart to crush his dreams.

“You shouldn't be so hard on yourself,” Grace said, sitting back in the front seat and closing the car door. “If you still love your ex-husband, you should tell him. You should fight for your family and make Chris happy.”

Chloe thought about asking about her happiness, but she didn't dare because she knew she wouldn't like Grace’s answer. She looked at her best friend, knowing Grace was the most generous person she knew; letting Ruan stay in her house went far beyond simple kindness. Grace had clear intentions; she claimed she’d never forgive Ruan for accepting the divorce and going back to Megan. Grace felt Chloe’s pain as if it were her own; yet, deep down, her greatest wish was for Ruan and Chloe to reunite.

Grace put on her sunglasses, smiled at Chloe when she realized there would be no reply, and started the engine, driving away.

Only a few minutes remained before class started. Chloe decided to set aside her problems with Ruan and focus on what truly mattered. Officially, this was her first day teaching as the school's new teacher. She looked at the building again, taking a deep breath as a shiver ran down her spine. So much had happened to bring her to this moment. She had spent weeks unable to work, and now she was just steps away from finally practicing the profession she loved so much.

She walked confidently toward the entrance. Students ran inside, the joy on their faces filling Chloe’s heart with courage and spirit. She watched them, listening closely to their laughter.

A strong, hard body suddenly blocked her path. When Chloe regained her balance and looked up, she gasped in shock.

“Leonel,” she huffed, leaning down to pick up her bag.

“I hardly believed it when Samantha told me you were a teacher at her brother’s school,” he smirked. “Who would’ve thought you’d beg my brother-in-law for a job? Is that why you studied so hard?”

Chloe pushed him away, even though she knew she shouldn't use violence in front of the children. She couldn't stand the thought of going to work only to run into Samantha, Megan, or Leonel. The past haunted her without mercy. Chloe wanted to look forward and move on with her life without anyone reminding her of how sad her world had once been.

“Get out of my way,” she said, passing him. “The only shame I have is looking at you. Honestly, Elijah is incredibly unlucky to have you as a brother-in-law.”

She turned on her heel, but Leonidas grabbed her hand again, pulling her back. His touch burned her skin, making Chloe writhe to break free. Her eyes darted around, checking on the children. They were too distracted to notice the adults' drama. Then, her gaze snapped back to Leonidas.

“I heard you’re interested in my brother-in-law,” he said. His breath was still sweet, exactly as Chloe remembered, and all she felt was nausea. “Do you really think I’ll let you get involved with him, Chloe?”

“You're hurting me…” she stammered as his grip made her skin sting even more.

“When Samantha told me she was moving back to Phoenix and that you’d be here, I wanted to come back with her. I patched up our marriage just for an excuse to be near you again.” Chloe suddenly stopped struggling as Leonidas’s words sank in. “But now that I know Elijah has his eye on you too, I decided to apply for a position at the school to keep you two apart.”

“What are you saying?” Chloe’s voice trembled. For the first time in a long time, she felt afraid of Leonidas. “Do you think I’d forget your damn betrayal and go back to you?”

Chloe started struggling again as the hallways emptied. It felt like an endless nightmare; the more she tried to escape the ghosts of her past, the more relentlessly they pursued her. Leonidas didn't seem willing to let her go; he pulled her closer, forcing her body against his.

Was he really going to do what she thought? She arched her back as she saw him lean in. Her eyes went wide, and her mouth went dry. Just as she thought there was no way out, a familiar voice echoed behind Leonidas.

“What do you think you're doing with my wife?” Chloe’s eyes met Ruan’s gray gaze.

Leonidas’s grip loosened, and he let her go. Chloe didn't even have an opportunity to soothe the burning sensation in her arm. She had to prevent a fight on her very first day of work.

“Your wife?” Leonidas laughed, a foul, raspy sound. “You still call her that? Even after divorcing her to be with Megan?”

Ruan stepped forward, his presence towering over Leonidas. Chloe had forgotten how handsome he was when he was angry and determined to defend her. His shadow fell over her.

“I warned you never to get near Chloe again…”

“I'm not afraid of you, Ruan. You aren't married anymore,” Leonidas said. Chloe narrowed her eyes at him, truly surprised by his nerve. “Besides, you'll have to go through me—and apparently Elijah too—if you want to get to Chloe.”

Leonidas turned his back and walked away. Chloe stood frozen, feeling like she was caught in a crossfire where she was the primary target.