Chapter 4

Chloe POV

Airport terminal, people coming and going.

I sat on a bench in the waiting area, my eyes red and swollen.

Hunter stood not far away, on the phone.

Hunter wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture straight, his features cold and stern.

Hunter was my stepbrother, the true power holder of the Hawthorne family, a low-profile billionaire.

Years ago, to be with the penniless Tristan Ford, I'd had a falling out with my family.

My father was so angry he declared he'd never had a daughter like me.

These nine years, I'd suffered every hardship, doing Tristan's laundry and cooking, scrimping and saving to support his business ventures, even secretly begging Hunter to invest in him.

But now, I was slinking back home in disgrace.

The announcement for boarding came over the speakers.

My phone suddenly started vibrating frantically.

Tristan Ford's name flashed on the screen.

Looking at that name, my heart ached with a kind of numbness. I answered.

"Where are you? Why is all your stuff gone from the house?"

Tristan's voice was frantic, with that self-righteous anger.

"We already broke up. I moved out." I said flatly.

"Have you lost your mind?" Tristan roared. "Just because I didn't go to City Hall with you today? Is it such a big deal? You packed up and left home over this? Chloe, you're almost thirty. Can you stop playing these games!"

The airport announcement sounded again, reminding passengers on the flight to Washington to board.

Tristan heard it, his voice suddenly tight. "You're at the airport? Where are you going?"

"Home." I said lightly. "You paid the rent on that apartment. It's not appropriate for me to keep living there."

"Chloe!" Tristan spoke through gritted teeth. "So I stood you up twice? You want to get married, we'll go Monday! Stay there, I'm coming to get you now!"

Tristan thought I was just throwing a tantrum, thought that as long as he beckoned, I'd come running back like a dog wagging its tail.

"No need, Tristan." I looked at the tarmac outside the glass window, tears silently falling. "Nine years. I'm tired. Let's end it here."

"Chloe! Try walking away! If you leave, don't you dare regret it!"

Tristan threatened in furious desperation.

I hung up and powered off the phone, popped out the SIM card.

And threw it in a nearby trash can.

Hunter finished his call and walked over, glancing at the trash can, then at my pale face.

Hunter didn't ask anything, just naturally took my suitcase.

"Let's go. Let's go home."

By the time we arrived at the Hawthorne estate in Washington, it was late at night.

My father sat on the living room sofa, his hair much whiter than before.

When he saw me, his eyes reddened, but he stubbornly turned his face away with a cold snort. "So you finally remembered to come back?"

I walked up to my father, crying uncontrollably.

"Dad, I'm sorry... I was wrong. I was so wrong..."

Nine years of obsession, nine years of humiliation. In this moment, they shattered into dust.

My dad sighed and patted my head consolingly.

"It's good you're home. I'll introduce you to some new men. Your childhood friend Lucas Sterling has been wanting to see you!"