003. Welcome Back, Chloe

Chloe stood frozen as Dan’s voice filled the room, dripping with scorn. "I didn’t expect you to still be here,” he said, each word laced with contempt that sent a chill down her spine.

Before she could respond, another voice chimed in, soft and sweet, yet somehow more venomous than Dan’s coldness. "Hey Chloe, I didn't know I'd be seeing you hanging around."

Sofia.

Her tone feigned innocence but betrayed a hint of satisfaction that Chloe could almost picture the smirk on her face.

For someone who had been comatosed for a while, Sofia still looked as glamorous and stylish as ever, clad in a white designer dress that stopped way above her knees. Her blonde hair was packed in a tight ponytail, giving her an air of elegance and sophistication.

She stepped closer to Dan, her arms crossed, and her brown eyes narrowing into slits as she studied Chloe.

Chloe's stomach churned as she felt Sofia's undeniable presence even in her darkness. The scent of her perfume, something floral and overpowering, filled the room, making Chloe feel nauseous.

"Dan, shouldn’t we leave? I don’t want to make things awkward for her," Sofia added with false concern.

Dan’s hand rested on Sofia’s shoulder, and Chloe could hear the subtle rustle of fabric as he pulled her closer. "There’s no need to worry, Sofia. Chloe and I have already gotten divorced.” Chloe couldn't mistake the indifferent tone as he continued, "She’s leaving, and we’re moving on."

"What? You're leaving?" Sofia exclaimed, feigning concern. "It really must be difficult for you, knowing that Dan and I are together now," Sofia murmured, though Chloe could hear the satisfaction she took in the situation.

Chloe clenched her cane tighter, her knuckles turning white as she fought to keep her emotions in check. She wouldn’t let them see her break nor have the satisfaction of knowing how deeply they had hurt her.

"Don’t worry. I’m leaving. This place has nothing left for me." Her voice was steadier than she expected.

She could sense Dan’s gaze on her, feel the weight of his attention. There was something in his silence, a hesitation that confused her.

Had he expected her to stay? To plead for him to change his mind?

The thought almost made her laugh.

After everything, he still thought she was weak, that she would cling to him, begging for scraps of affection.

With a sharp voice cutting through Chloe's thoughts, Sofia chimed, "Good. It’s better this way."

The words were like a slap in the face, the final confirmation of what Chloe had suspected all along. She had never been anything more than a pawn, a means to an end.

Dan had never loved her. And his care had all been faked.

"You two deserve each other," Chloe spat. She could feel her emotions bubbling over, her anger and hurt rising to the surface.

She wanted to say more but stopped herself. She couldn't waste her precious breath on these two. Not again. With her suitcase in one hand and her cane in the other, she turned toward the door.

As she reached the door, she heard Dan shift, as if he might say something, might try to stop her. But Sofia was faster, her ungrateful voice interjecting sharply, "Dan, let her go. There’s no point in making this harder than it has to be."

Chloe didn’t wait to hear his response. She turned on her heel, her suitcase rolling behind her as she made her way to the door.

She had done it.

She had walked away from the man who had broken her heart, from the life that had nearly destroyed her.

She took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill her lungs, feeling more alive than she had in years.

Just as she reached the end of the driveway, a powerful gust of wind suddenly swept through the area, accompanied by the deafening roar of helicopter blades slicing through the air.

Chloe froze, her heart pounding as the sound grew louder, closer, until it was directly overhead.

She tilted her head slightly, trying to make sense of what was happening. The wind whipped at her hair and clothes as the helicopter descended, landing with a thud right in front of her, its blades kicking up dust and debris.

She could feel the ground trembling beneath her feet, the vibrations from the helicopter’s engines rumbling through her body.

Then, as the wind and noise began to die down, Chloe heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. Dozens of them.

What was happening? Who were these people? Had Dan sent someone to stop her, to drag her back?

But then, over the noise and confusion, she heard it—the same voice that spoke to her on the phone. "Chloe!" The voice called out, and she knew instantly who it was.

"Adam?" she whispered.

Adam's emerald eyes were full of relief and happiness as he ran toward her. His black hair was slightly disheveled, but his handsome face was a mirror of her own, only a bit older and with a faint shadow of stubble on his jaw. He was clad in a casual gray shirt, paired with a dark denim jacket and pants.

The sound of footsteps approached her quickly, and before she could fully process what was happening, strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight embrace that made her feel safe for the first time in years.

The warmth of the hug, the strength of the arms around her, was overwhelming, and Chloe felt tears spring to her eyes.

"Welcome back, Chloe." Adam’s voice was full of relief. "We’ve been waiting for you for so long."

The sharp reality hit her all at once.

Her brother, her family—they had been looking for her, and now, after all this time, they were here. Chloe’s resolve crumbled as tears streamed down her face, her body shaking with sobs.

All the pain, the betrayal, the loneliness that had consumed her for so long poured out of her in a rush.

Adam held her tighter, whispering soothing words as she cried into his shoulder. "It’s okay, Chloe. You’re safe now. We’re going to take you home."