Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Walker Grant hugged her again, his breath ghosting around her. "I know," he murmured, "but I just don’t want to be apart from you."

Chloe Reed fell silent.

"You finally agreed to stay, and I don’t want to waste a single second of it," Walker Grant continued.

Chloe Reed lowered her gaze slightly, her long lashes fluttering. She then reached for his hand again, wanting to write on it.

But Walker Grant didn’t let her, saying, "Let me hold you a little longer. You and he are going to find Fiona Linton, and who knows how many days you’ll be gone. I won’t be able to feel you near me for so long."

Chloe Reed’s heart skipped a beat. She closed her eyes, flustered for a moment by the emotions swelling within her.

She simply went still, letting him hold her as she silently tried to calm the turmoil in her heart.

After some time, a knock came at the door.

"KNOCK KNOCK!"

Walker Grant’s tone was laced with annoyance. "Who is it?"

Dylan Finch cleared his throat. "Mr. Grant, it’s me."

Walker Grant sounded even more irritated. "Have you come up with a plan?"

Dylan Finch paused for a moment before replying, "It’s your mother on the phone. She’d like to speak with you."

At this, Walker Grant said nothing.

Chloe Reed, however, pushed him away. She got out of the hospital bed and walked over to open the door.

Dylan Finch smiled at her and stepped inside.

He handed the phone to Walker Grant. "Mr. Grant, the call is connecting now."

"Walker?"

Judith Pierce’s trembling voice came through the phone. "How are you? Where are you hurt? Is it serious?"

It was a barrage of questions, every word steeped in concern and worry.

Dylan Finch turned and left the room.

Chloe Reed sat on a nearby sofa and pulled out her phone, trying to look busy.

But she couldn’t help but eavesdrop on Judith Pierce’s concerned words to Walker Grant.

Every single word was filled with a mother’s worry and longing for her child.

Her lashes fluttered.

Even though Judith Pierce’s opinion of her was worsening, to the point of resentment, she couldn’t bring herself to resent Judith.

After all, Judith was just trying to protect her own child.

On the bed, Walker Grant’s tone was flat. "I’m fine. The injury isn’t serious, just... complicated."

Judith Pierce’s voice was choked with emotion. "Walker... let me see you, please? I haven’t seen you in so long. I really miss you."

She was thrilled that Walker Grant was willing to speak to her so calmly, and it made her desperate to see her son’s face.

But Walker Grant refused. "The connection is bad. Let’s just talk like this."

Judith Pierce sobbed quietly. After a moment, she managed to ask, "How have you been? And Noah? Does he miss me?"

Walker Grant fell silent.

’Things have been terrible.’

’Noah can’t even stand up anymore.’

"Everything’s fine."

But he didn’t tell her that. His tone was devoid of emotion as he added, "You and Dad should take care of yourselves, too."

"Okay, we will." Judith Pierce was deeply touched. After a pause, she asked, "Walker, have you forgiven me? I really was just trying to protect you. I didn’t want to see you get hurt. You and Chloe Reed just aren’t right for each other..."

"Mom."

Walker Grant cut her off. "It’s nice, just talking like this."

The message was clear: don’t bring up Chloe Reed.

His stance on the matter had always been resolute.

Judith Pierce was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Fine, we won’t talk about her. We’re mother and son; we can’t let her keep us from ever seeing each other again. I’m planning to come back for the Spring Festival. I’ve convinced your father to come back with me."

"Mm."

Walker Grant grunted in acknowledgment, his tone betraying no particular emotion.

But he didn’t try to stop them from coming back, either.