Chapter 4

I didn't answer him, nor did I stop packing.

It didn't take a genius to figure out Sienna had pulled another dramatic stunt.

Chad kicked my suitcase roughly.

"Chloe, thank God it was me last night. If it had been anyone else, Sienna's reputation would be ruined by your dirty tricks!"

His words were beyond absurd.

I looked up, staring dead into his eyes.

"Chad, what makes you think you're so special?"

"If I really wanted to destroy someone, do you think I'd give a damn about who ended up in her bed?"

The light in his eyes flickered, and he instantly grabbed my shoulder, digging his fingers in:

"So you admit you did it?"

His grip burst the blister on the back of my neck from yesterday's scalding water, sending a jolt of pain through me that made me wince.

His expression froze. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tube of burn ointment.

"Yesterday... I went too far."

"Let me put this on for you."

I didn't push him away; the burn on my back was in a spot I couldn't reach anyway.

His fingertips, coated in cool ointment, brushed gently against my inflamed skin. Suddenly, he spoke up:

"I didn't mean to leave you behind yesterday. I told my assistant to drive back for you, but he couldn't find you."

I gave no response.

From the moment I confirmed his entire death was a staged lie, anything related to him had ceased to matter.

My only priorities now were my baby and my upcoming wedding.

Perhaps sensing my icy detachment, he threw the cotton swab aside in annoyance.

"Whatever! Do it yourself."

"Also, that recording from last night—name your price. I'll buy it."

So that was the real reason behind his sudden tenderness.

"What's with that look? Everyone knows you're obsessed with money."

"Sienna told me everything. You never sent a single dollar back to her family after you started working. Where is your conscience?"

I chuckled softly. "You're right, Mr. Sterling. If I knew it was worth money, I really should have recorded it."

My parents left behind an inheritance worth tens of millions—more than enough to raise ten of me.

The only time I refused to give her family money was when Chad faked his illness and I was desperately scrounging every penny for his medical bills.

Yet in Sienna's mouth, I had turned into an ungrateful gold-digger.

"Chad! Your little canary is threatening to jump off the balcony again!"

One of Chad's buddies poked his head into the room.

Chad scrambled to his feet.

As the door swung shut, their conversation drifted clearly into my ears:

"Chad, haven't you tested her enough? If you keep playing this game, you're gonna lose her..."

"What's the rush?" Chad's tone was full of cocky amusement.

"Every girl in the entertainment industry dreams of crawling into my bed. If Chloe wants me, she has to pay the price."

"Besides, if she truly loves me, what's a little humiliation? Once we're together, there'll be a lifetime of luxury waiting for her."