Betrayed By The Billionaire

200

Chloe held the phone away from her ear for a fraction of a second, staring at the screen in disbelief. Was it her imagination, or did her mother’s voice sound not only excited but actually a little... starstruck?

Mrs. Bishop cleared her throat, her voice dropping into a dramatic, low imitation of Xavier Grayson’s cold drawl from the night before. "'President Vance, I must say, you have quite the colorful hobbies. I never realized a man of your stature enjoyed sticking his hand into a common catfight. It’s truly an eye-opening performance.'"

She didn't stop there, clearly relishing the memory. "'My woman's behavior is none of your business, Arthur. If she hit someone, it’s because that person deserved to be hit.' Oh, Chloe! Just listen to that! If your father had possessed even half of that man’s icy charisma when we were young, he wouldn't have had to spend three years chasing me."

Chloe bit her lip, her expression a mask of silent irony. "Mom..."

Listening to her mother’s infectious excitement, a part of her wanted to laugh, but sitting here in the sterile silence of an abandoned hospital room, the humor felt brittle. If she weren't currently a "forgotten patient," she supposed she would be just as thrilled as her mother. Xavier had been magnificent. Especially that dismissive, arrogant smirk he had directed at Arthur Vance—it had broadcast a singular, terrifying message to the entire elite circle: I am protecting my woman. Do you really think I care about who started it?

In that moment, her heart truly had skipped several beats. But now, in the cold light of day, Chloe only felt like a fool.

After the initial high of the gossip wore off, Mrs. Bishop’s tone turned uncharacteristically serious. "The fact that he stood up for you like that makes me so happy, Chloe. It proves that Xavier is one of those men who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. You need to focus on building a real life with him now. Don’t let yourself be distracted by people who no longer matter."

Chloe knew exactly what her mother was implying. Last night, after she and Xavier had departed, Liam Martin had stepped out of the shadows and echoed Xavier’s exact words in her defense. The social circles were already on fire with rumors that Liam was haunted by regret, that he was desperately pinning for the woman he had abandoned at the altar. Mrs. Bishop was terrified that Chloe’s old obsession with Liam might resurface.

"I know, Mom," Chloe said, her voice sounding steadier than she felt. "I know who my husband is. Just focus on your recovery and don't worry about me. I can handle it."

She saw the door to her suite swing open as a team of medical staff approached, and she hurriedly ended the call.

Leading the group was a male physician in his mid-thirties. He was classically handsome in a clean-cut, academic way, his white lab coat pristine and his demeanor professional yet approachable. When his eyes landed on Chloe, he couldn't entirely mask the flash of genuine admiration. Even pale and disheveled in a hospital gown, her beauty was the kind that commanded a room.

The nurse stepped forward to check the monitor. "37.9°C. Still running a low-grade fever."

The nurse looked at the doctor, and Chloe followed suit. The physician cleared his throat, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses with a slightly nervous gesture. "Any persistent coughing, Mrs. Grayson?"

Chloe nodded, her throat feeling raw. "Yes. And my entire body feels like it's been bruised."

The doctor offered a reassuring, gentle smile. "That’s perfectly normal after a fever spike as high as yours. Once the temperature stabilizes, I’ll prescribe something to help you sweat out the remaining toxins. You’ll be back on your feet in no time. Is there anything else bothering you?"

Chloe shook her head. "No. Just the exhaustion."

Once the medical team filtered out, Chloe’s phone buzzed again. This time it was Lyra.

With her best friend, Chloe didn't feel the need to maintain the "perfect wife" facade. She told her exactly where she was and what had happened. When Lyra offered to come over immediately, Chloe didn't play the martyr. She gave her a list of essentials—fresh clothes, toiletries, and skincare. Xavier had brought her to the hospital in her wine-stained evening gown and left her with absolutely nothing. She didn't even have a toothbrush to call her own in this expensive, empty suite.

Before she could even set the phone down, the handsome young doctor from moments ago knocked softly and stepped back in. He was carrying a small tray of medication, his voice sounding warm and incredibly kind. "Mrs. Grayson? It's time for your next dose."

Chloe is struck by the contrast between this doctor's gentle, attentive care and Xavier's cold abandonment. In the silence of the hospital, the "Demon's" protection at the banquet is beginning to feel more like a strategic business move than an act of devotion. As Lyra prepares to arrive with the news of the Vance family's collapse, Chloe finds herself at a crossroads of identity.

How do you think Chloe will respond if the doctor starts asking personal questions about why her husband isn't by her bedside?