Chapter 227

Nathan narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade sweeping over her. "Stomachache? You seem perfectly fine to me."

Chloe shivered under his scrutiny, feeling completely exposed.

"With you gone, I had no one to talk to..."

He cut her off with a cold laugh. "If you're bored, study for your graduate exams. Stop wasting time on nonsense."

"I saw Mrs. Watson tending the garden. Go help her."

Chloe bit her lip, not daring to argue.

Nathan's eyes were frosty. He'd seen through her pathetic act.

As he turned to leave, a warm body suddenly pressed against his back.

"Nathan, don't go..." She clung to his waist. "I missed you. Stay with me, please? Even if you hate me, think about our baby..."

He wrenched her hands away, disgust twisting his features. "Don't use the child as leverage! I told you to abort it, yet you ran crying to my mother. We're not done with that."

Her eyes darted nervously. "I was wrong..."

"Know your place and behave. Or get out now."

He strode upstairs without a backward glance.

Chloe took a deep breath, nails digging into her palms.

She couldn't give up.

Too much had been sacrificed to marry Nathan Evans.

No retreat.

Three seconds later, her face smoothed into composure.

Remembering his habit of drinking pumpkin porridge after business dinners—and smelling the alcohol on him—she hatched a plan.

Master Bedroom—

After drinking the hangover tea Mrs. Watson brought, Nathan drifted back into a heavy sleep.

He woke at 3 PM to stabbing hunger pangs. Grim-faced, he went downstairs.

"Mrs. Watson, make me something to eat."

Silence.

He raised his voice. "Mrs. Watson—"

"Nathan, your stomach must hurt. I made pumpkin porridge..." Chloe hurried from the kitchen with a bowl.

The bowl went flying before she finished.

"Ah!"

Scalding porridge splattered the rug, burning her hand.

"Who said you could interfere?" His mocking stare pinned her.

Tears welled in her eyes. "I just wanted to help..."

She bowed her head, slender neck exposed, the picture of fragility.

Nathan remained unmoved.

"Stop the act. Even my cat knows how to please its master. You're worse than an animal."

"I truly love you—"

He kicked the shattered bowl aside. The crash made her flinch.

"Disappear in three seconds, or I'll have you thrown out permanently."