Chapter 4

**CHLOE**

“I'm not scared. I just need to speak to him,” I said as I skittered out of the room.

 

Jeffrey watched me leave; he looked amused by my flustered escape.

 

I didn't stop walking until I got to my room. 

 

I let out a relieved sigh as I leaned on my door, and then I threw myself on the bed. 

 

I can't wait to tell Lily everything! 

 

Finally, I snuggled into my soft pillow and eventually drifted off to sleep.

 

Lily's eyes widened, and a squeal of excitement erupted from her lips. "No way!" she exclaimed.

  

“But wait, you saw him in only briefs..” Lily gave me a naughty smirk. “How big was it?”

 

“Lily!” I chuckled and slapped her arm playfully.

 

“Well..?” She probed.

 

I blinked.. 

 

“I didn't look at him that way,” I lied.

 

It wasn't entirely a lie; I only looked at him very briefly, and it wasn't intentional.

  

“That’s a lie..” Lily chuckled. “Your cheeks are even red.”

 

“Have you heard from Mr. Dan?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

 

"I have.. You won't be getting your job back; they can't wait for you any longer.”

 

“Yeah.. I expected that,” my voice tinged with sadness.

 

“Cheer up, girl!” She gave me a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. “But I can't believe all this happened just last night. Do you think he really believes you two are married?” 

 

“I couldn't tell. I think he does, though.”

 

“You should be careful.” She sighed. “And Robert isn't even here to remedy the situation.” 

"I know, right? Your knight in shining armor,” I chuckled, knowing this would upset her. 

 

She hated Robert. 

 

“Stop it. I'm being serious here." She called out, “You know he started all these; he should be the one to put an end to it.” 

 

“Jeffrey might be calm now, but what do you think he'll do when he finds out about this whole thing?” She continued.

**JEFFREY** 

“Come in,” I said, responding to the knock on my door.

 

Robert walked into my study.

 

"I heard from Mom about the man who saved you," he said. 

 

"I'm glad you're back." He extended a hand, and we shook firmly. "Welcome back, brother, and... congratulations on your wedding."

 

"Ha! Ha!" I mocked.

 

He shifted uneasily, then placed a document on my desk. 

 

I picked it up. My signature scrawled across it—my marriage certificate. 

 

My pulse quickened. Could it be forged?

 

"February fifth?" I breathed, the date echoing in my mind.

 

"Yes, Jeff, I talked to her father and the witnesses.” He sighed. “There's no denying it, brother; the wedding is real.” 

 

He pressed a photograph into my palm. 

 

A shiver coursed down his spine when I looked at myself in a suit standing next to Chloe, who was in a way too plain white dress.

 

Amnesia or not, I don't think I ever married this woman. 

 

“You know, if you asked me, she's not particularly your type.” Robert continued.

 

She's really beautiful, yes. But Robert was right; she wasn't my type.

 

And why on earth would I even marry a virgin? 

 

I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

 

I picked up the photograph again.

 

The image of myself and Chloe stared back at me and mocked me.

 

Was I really expecting to see something different?

 

“And you don't even remember getting married to her, why continue with the marriage?” Robert added when I didn't respond.

 

My eyes were still glued to the photograph.

 

If this photograph was fake, then the person who made it did a fucking great job.

 

“I know you're worried about losing half your fortune to her; I have a good lawyer.” He placed his hands on my shoulder and said, "You'll be able to keep sixty percent.”

 

Tcheew.

 

“I need to be alone.” I finally said.

 

He stared at me for a few seconds before heading to the door.

 

“I'll be here if you need any help.” He said, and then shut the door quietly. 

 

I need to get my thoughts together and then ask Chloe a few questions later.

** CHLOE**

 

“Good morning, Mrs. Blakes. Master Jeffrey wants you down for breakfast.” Mary said as she walked into my room.

 

I don't know why, but I feel very nervous.

 

Probably because of last night? 

 

But nothing happened.

“Ok, I'll be there shortly,” I said, and Mary shut the door. 

 

I put on a collared blue dress before heading downstairs.

 

“Good morning, Jeff,” I greeted as I settled into a chair on the dining table.

 

He lifted his eyes to look at me and then fixed them back on the tablet he held in front of him.

  

What's with him?

 

Mary arrived with a bowl of avocado toast and oatmeal with fresh fruit and placed them on the table before taking another trip to the kitchen to get us some greens and eggs.

 

I helped myself to the food.

 

“This is good.” I said, and Mary replied with a warm smile. I glanced over at Jeffrey, who was still scrolling through his tab. 

 

He invites me down for breakfast and then decides to ignore me. How rude.

 

I used my eyes to trace his chiseled jaw and his perfectly pointy nose, and then my eyes dropped to his lips. 

 

He was very pleasing to look at.

 

His eyes drifted in my direction, and I hurriedly looked away,

 

“Am I really that good-looking?” A smirk stretched across his face.

 

“What?”

 

“You were staring at me,”

 

“I wasn't” I said,

 

“You've not touched your food,” I added almost immediately, a lame attempt to change the topic.

 

"You've been acting like I'm a stranger.” His eyes softened as he studied my face. “I might have lost my memory, but surely you didn't lose yours too?"

 

I scoffed, "Stranger? That's an understatement.” A hollow laugh escaped my lips. 

 

"I want a divorce," I blurted out. His face contorted in confusion.

 

Okay, girl... Where did that confidence come from?

 

"Lost memories may excuse you for forgetting me, but your lies don't. You kept me a secret from your family and lied about your wealth.”

 

He leaned back in his chair.

 

“Wow, this is the first time I heard a woman ask for a divorce because a man was rich.” He let out a sarcastic laugh. “Interesting, don't you think?”

 

He shifted forward, his gaze holding mine. “Why didn't my friends attend the wedding?” 

 

“You said you didn't want them there, that we'd have a party after the church ceremony,” I replied.

 

That was what Robert had told me then.

 

“Were you pressured into it? Are you pregnant?” 

 

"No,” I snapped. “I told you we've not been intimate.”

 

“Laura is here.” Rachel smirked, appearing from the hallway. 

 

Jeffrey's face flickered unease, his eyes darting towards the hallway before he mumbled, “Laura?” and then left for his study.