“When did Khloe move out? Why was I not informed?”
The servants stood trembling, heads bowed. One finally stammered out the truth.
Khloe had packed up her things several days ago. She’d instructed them not to bother Trey, saying he was busy and shouldn’t be disturbed over trivial matters.
Several days ago?
Trey’s stomach sank. That was right after Angela had moved in.
So Khloe had left because of that. She was angry after all.
Upstairs, Angela held her crying son close, tears still streaking her own face. She had sobbed for nearly an hour, waiting for Trey to come-he never did.
“Mom,” Pete sniffled, his small hands clutching at her sleeve. “Does Dad not want us anymore? He hit me because of that bad woman…”
“Shh, Pete, be good. Your Daddy won’t abandon us,” she murmured, stroking his hair, though even she didn’t believe her own words.
She didn’t understand Trey anymore. He had said Khloe was nothing but a tool, a woman he used for business. And yet, again and again, he lost control because of her.
Maybe… maybe he really had feelings for Khloe.
“But Daddy was so scary,” Pete whispered, his lips trembling. The memory of that slap still burned on his cheek.
Angela kissed his face gently. “Don’t be afraid. Mommy’s here. I won’t let him hurt you again.”
Her voice was soft but cold at the edges. As long as she was here, Khloe would never replace her-or her son.
When Pete finally fell asleep, Angela wiped her tears, smoothed her hair, and went to Trey’s study.
He sat alone at his desk. His study was heavy with silence. When he saw her, his lips twitched faintly, but his expression stayed distant.
“I’m sorry,” he said after a long pause. “I shouldn’t have hit Pete. I lost control. I’m not blaming you two, but Khloe left… it’s bad for us. For the company.”
He pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. His voice was unsteady. He had expected her to be angry, maybe even to lash out-but she didn’t.
“I know,” Angela said. “You’ve been under too much pressure-business, family, everything. You’re exhausted.”
She came closer and gently took his hand in both of hers. Her voice was calm, warm, flowing like water that softened every sharp edge.
Trey looked up, startled. Her face held no reproach-only sympathy and tenderness.
“Angela, you’re not angry with me?” His voice was hoarse, uncertain.
He really had lost himself lately. Khloe’s departure had left him disoriented, scattered. He’d barely noticed Angela at all.
“How could I blame you?” Angela shook her head, pressing his hand to her chest. “Everything you’ve done… you did it for us.”
“Angela…”
His head lowered, his voice heavy with remorse. “I just didn’t handle things well.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said gently. “You shouldn’t have to face everything alone. We’re husband and wife- we’ll get through this together.”
Her words, so patient and soothing, finally broke through his turmoil. Some of the weight eased from his chest.
He pulled her into his arms.
But the moment his eyes closed, another image rose unbidden in his mind-Khloe’s face.
Back when the company was going through its hardest times, Khloe had always been there-standing quietly by his side, saying words like that.
And every time, Khloe had indeed thrown herself into the fire for him, taking on everything without complaint.
Trey frowned. Why was he thinking about Khloe again?
“Trey, have you forgotten that I studied finance too? I might be able to handle Khloe’s job just as well.”
After soothing him for a while, Angela finally revealed her real purpose.
Instead of letting Khloe serve as Trey’s right hand, Angela thought it would be better if she joined the company herself.
Previously, he hadn’t allowed her to do so because he was afraid his family would find out.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.