FRACTURED HEARTS

Chapter 4

Chloe remained motionless in the doorway, her heart racing as her gaze fixed on Steven and Ashley. She clutched the robe Steven had carelessly thrown aside and wrapped it around herself, as if it could protect her from the turmoil brewing within.

“Why are you covering up so fast?” Steven queried without concern, his eyes briefly scanning her, oblivious to her distress. “I’ve seen you like this countless times before.”

The indifference in his voice struck Chloe deeply, igniting a surge of anger that pushed the shock aside. How could he stand there so casually while this woman was with him?

“What’s happening, Steven?” Chloe pressed, her voice quaking as she fought to remain composed. “Why didn’t you inform me you were coming? And... who is she?”

Steven’s demeanor shifted as he crossed his arms, his voice dipping into iciness. “Why didn’t you tell me you were dropping by yesterday?” he retorted, his unexpected anger taking her aback. “Haven’t I made it clear, Chloe? Never show up uninvited. Especially without my consent.”

Chloe’s breath hitched. This wasn’t the Steven she recognized or thought she recognized. His harsh tone and this newfound hostility felt as if a stranger had taken over.

He glanced at Ashley before meeting Chloe’s gaze again. His voice dripped with disdain as he revealed, “Before you let your imagination run wild, this is Ashley. My girlfriend.”

The revelation struck Chloe with the force of a blow. She stared at him, the weight of his admission knocking the air from her lungs. Girlfriend? Her thoughts raced, struggling to come to terms with it. The world around her felt like it was spinning, everything she had understood every moment with him now tainted by betrayal.

When she finally managed to speak, her voice trembled, barely a whisper. “So... you’ve been deceiving me all this time?” She gripped her robe tighter, her hands quaking as tears threatened to spill. “Was it all a lie, Steven? All these years... did they mean nothing to you?”

A cruel smirk twisted Steven’s lips. “Did you genuinely believe I’d marry someone so cheap like you?” He spoke with disdain, each word another wound to her heart.

Chloe’s knees gave way, and she collapsed onto the floor, her sobs erupting uncontrollably. “Six years,” she gasped between cries. “I squandered six years with you, and now you tell me... I’m cheap?”

Steven knelt beside her, his tone mocking, his eyes devoid of warmth. “So you really thought I’d wed a girl like you?” He sneered. “Your father has nothing, Chloe. You were always merely a tool.”

The brutality of his words was unbearable. Chloe looked up at him, her vision clouded with tears, her heartbreak. She had offered him everything, her trust, her love, and now he was shattering her with each sentence.

Steven stood up, his voice chilling. “My father only allowed this relationship to save your father’s life. Your dad handed you over the instant he realized I could help with his debts.” He let his words linger. “You were just a part of the arrangement. I ensured you fell in love with me, and when the moment arrived, I would’ve married you because I was obligated to. But don’t get it twisted, Chloe. I never loved you.”

The room felt suffocating as the horrifying truth crushed her soul. My father had betrayed me? She found it impossible to believe. Her mind rejected the idea that her own father would forsake her like that.

Steven pressed on, unwavering. “You’re merely a pawn in the game played by our families. But don’t worry, Chloe,” he said, smirking. “I’ll still go through with the marriage. We need to finalize the agreement, and you’ll continue to work for me. That’s all you’re good for.”

Chloe’s heart pounded, her thoughts racing as the weight of his words hit her. She had been used, manipulated, and now tossed aside. Everything she believed about Steven had been a facade.

Ashley, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward with a smug grin. “You should ditch any foolish notions you have about love,” she said, her tone oozing with disdain. “Steven belongs to me.”

With that, Steven and Ashley turned and exited the room, leaving Chloe crumpled on the ground, her sobs the only sound piercing the silence.

Just when she thought she couldn’t endure anymore, her phone buzzed beside her. Shaking, she wiped her tears and answered it.

“H-hello?” she stuttered, struggling to regain her composure.

“Am I speaking with Miss Chloe Sinclair?” The voice on the line was composed and professional.

“Yes, this is Chloe,” she replied, fighting back tears.

“This is Dr. Matthews from Mount Sinai Hospital. Your father has been admitted in critical condition. We need you to come in as soon as possible.”

Chloe felt her heart drop. “Critical condition?” she echoed, her mind reeling from the barrage of distressing news. “I-I’ll be there immediately.”

Once the call ended, she dialed Maya, her hands trembling. The phone rang twice before Maya picked up, her voice filled with worry.

“Chloe? What’s happening? Are you crying?”

Chloe could barely find the words. “Maya, please... I need you to come over. It’s my dad...he’s in the hospital.”

“What?” Maya exclaimed. “Oh my God, Chloe. I’m on my way. Don’t do anything, just stay where you are.”

Chloe hung up and collapsed back onto the floor, her body quaking. Her mind was a whirlwind, torn between Steven’s betrayal and her fear for her father. “How could I have been so naive?” she murmured through her tears. “Would my father truly abandon me like that? Could he keep something so dreadful from me?”

She didn’t want to accept it. Her father was her only family left since her mother passed away. There had to be more to this. Yet, Steven’s words reverberated in her mind, unyielding.

The door swung open, and Maya rushed in, her eyes filled with concern. She knelt beside Chloe, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

“Chloe, what happened?” Maya inquired urgently, but Chloe was too distressed to respond. Her thoughts were fixated on her father.

“We need to get to Mount Sinai,” Chloe said, her voice frantic. “My dad... he’s critical.”

Maya quickly called a cab while Chloe hurriedly changed into a baggy sweatshirt and pants, her hands shaking uncontrollably. Moments later, they hurried outside, Chloe’s mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

In the back seat of the taxi, Chloe leaned into Maya, tears continuing to flow down her cheeks. Maya wrapped her arms around her, whispering comforting words, though Chloe felt detached from them.

Upon reaching the hospital, Chloe’s heart raced as they hurried to the reception desk. “Dr. Matthews,” she said, gasping for breath. “He called me about my father.”

The receptionist acknowledged her and gestured down the corridor. “Second door on your left,” she said.

Chloe’s legs felt like jelly as they moved towards the door. It was hard for her to catch her breath. When they entered, Dr. Matthews was standing there, his face shadowed by a serious expression.

“Miss Sinclair?” he started, his tone gentle yet heavy with compassion.

Chloe’s heart sank. “How is he? Is he all right?” Her voice was faint, quaking with dread.

The doctor inhaled deeply, his eyes filled with grief. “I’m very sorry, Miss Sinclair…”