Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Silence fell over the hospital room.

Chloe Reed stared blankly ahead, a heavy gloom surrounding her.

Walker Grant couldn’t see. He could only try to sense her, but she was silent, her breathing so faint he had no way of gauging her emotions.

Anxiety flickered through him. He reached out, his hand fumbling until it found hers. Her fingers were ice-cold, and he instinctively tightened his grip as if to warm them with his own heat.

He tried for a lighthearted tone, but his voice was undeniably strained. "I was just kidding. Of course I can’t cling to you for the rest of my life, so don’t feel burdened by any of this. Once my eyes heal, you won’t owe me anything. We’ll go file for divorce."

Chloe Reed turned to look at him as he tried to comfort her.

’He was the one who couldn’t see. He was the one who’d been clinging to her, refusing to let go.’

’But now... was he finally giving in?’

A sharp pain lanced through her heart, making her breath tremble. She lowered her gaze to his large, well-defined hand. A web of veins stood out on the back, a testament to the immense self-control he was exerting.

Chloe Reed curled her fingers slightly, as if in response.

Walker Grant’s brows lifted slightly over his bandaged eyes.

’It’s working.’

His voice grew even hoarser. "Don’t feel too burdened. Everything I’ve done... I did it of my own free will."

Then, he heard Chloe’s breath hitch.

He gave a gentle tug, pulling her in front of him. When he wrapped his arms around her, she didn’t resist.

Her unique, faint scent filled the air, mingling with his own.

Walker Grant’s Adam’s apple bobbed. The last of his doubts vanished.

"..."

After resting for two hours, Judith Pierce returned to the hotel. Fiona Linton was in the hospital room when she arrived.

Fiona Linton’s face lit up when she saw her. "Aunt Jensen, you’re back!"

Judith Pierce smiled and nodded. "Yes. I heard what happened to Walker and couldn’t rest, so I decided to come back and check on him."

Fiona Linton said, "Oh, don’t you worry. I’ve been checking on him every day. He’s getting better and better."

"Oh, and by the way, Chloe is too," she added. "Her throat is doing much better than before."

At this, Judith Pierce’s brow furrowed. "What happened to her?"

Fiona Linton looked surprised. "Aunt Jensen, you didn’t know? Chloe damaged her throat."

She thought for a moment before continuing, "I remember Nathaniel Monroe telling me they seem to have inhaled some kind of poison together. That’s why this happened."

Judith Pierce nodded slowly. "I see."

She entered the hospital room to find Dylan Finch already there. Walker Grant was sitting on the bed. At the sound of her entry, he turned his head slightly in her direction.

"Walker, it’s me."

Judith Pierce’s voice trembled the moment she spoke.

She couldn’t bear to see her son like this; it broke her heart every time.

Suppressing her emotions with great effort, she said, "I spoke to the doctor. Your other wounds are almost healed. It’s just your eyes now. You can be discharged to go home and rest."

"Mm," Walker Grant responded. "I’ve already decided. I’m checking out the day after tomorrow and heading back to Breyburn."

Judith Pierce said, "We’ll go back together. I’ll take care of you at home, and I’m sure your eyes will heal."

"I’m not going back to the family home."

Walker Grant replied flatly.