Chapter 2

2.

The party finally ended.

Chloe rubbed her temples, her voice soft and weak. "Alistair, I think the wind got to me after the drinks. I don't feel well. Can I..."

Alistair cut her off immediately. "Just stay in the guest room. It's too late to be traveling anyway."

He said it so naturally, as if it were the only logical choice.

I dug my nails into my palms but said nothing.

Late that night, the master bedroom felt freezing and empty.

Alistair hadn't come back.

The anxiety in my chest grew until I couldn't take it anymore, and I went to find him.

The guest room door was slightly ajar, glowing with warm light.

I heard Chloe's tearful, flirtatious voice from inside.

"You used to love me the most. You once waited outside my dorm all night just because we had a fight!"

Alistair's voice was low and carried a tenderness I had never heard before. "Don't bring up the past. I'm just glad you're back."

"Al... do you still have feelings for me?"

"You're just mad that I didn't keep the baby, aren't you? You married my sister just to spite me, right?"

I threw the door open!

Chloe was practically draped over Alistair, her eyes red and puffy.

Alistair's hand was resting intimately on her back, stroking her.

Seeing me, Alistair immediately scowled. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Chloe hid behind him, clutching his sleeve and peeking out with a mocking smirk meant only for me.

"Alistair, it's late," I said, my voice trembling.

His tone grew even sharper. "Chloe isn't feeling well. I'm staying with her."

"Can you be a bit more mature? Stop making that face all the time."

Chloe put on her best innocent act. "Alistair, don't blame her. I said the wrong things tonight and upset her..."

Alistair's heart clearly ached for her. He turned to me and commanded, "Chloe is weak. Since you're awake, go make her some hot chamomile tea."

I laughed, but it was a cold, bitter sound. "I'm your wife, not her maid!"

Alistair's face darkened. "Clara, do you have to be so petty?"

"This is your sister. If you won't care for her, the least you can do is let me do it for you."

"Some sister!" My heart felt like it was being shredded. "The way you two look right now, you don't look like siblings at all!"

I turned and walked back to our room.

A short while later, Alistair followed me in, his tone softening slightly.

"Honey, I'm sorry. Don't be mad. Chloe went through a lot losing that baby back then."

He tried to hug me and kissed my forehead, whispering empty reassurances.

My body was stiff. I wanted to scream at him about Chloe, but I had no energy left to fight.

He assumed I had calmed down and went back out to get busy.

Restless, I quietly followed him to see what he was doing.

Alistair was in his home office, whispering into his phone.

"Transfer the funds from the Metro-Tech project to Chloe's new studio. She just got back and needs the support."

I felt like I had been struck by lightning.

That project was something my team and I had spent countless sleepless nights to secure! It was our core asset!

The person on the other end seemed to have questions.

Alistair chuckled, his voice dripping with a warmth he never gave me.

"It's fine. She's worth it. If we lose money, we lose money."

"Mrs. Blackwood? Don't worry about her. She's my wife; she won't object to my decisions."