Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Shadows of the Past

Chloe's Point of View

The tension between Jonathan and me had been palpable since that night. The weight of Victor's threat, Isabella's games, and the looming meeting—it all felt like a ticking time bomb. And I wasn't sure how long we could keep things from blowing up.

Jonathan hadn't said much the next morning as he got dressed for work, but I could tell he was thinking about everything. He carried the burden of the company, his father's expectations, and now, the complicated web we were entangled in. But even though he didn't say much, there was a shift in the air between us. Something different.

I finished getting ready for work, running my fingers through my hair one last time before stepping out of the bedroom. Jonathan stood near the door, his jacket already on. He looked up when he saw me, his eyes lingering just a bit longer than usual.

"You ready?" he asked, his voice a bit softer than I expected.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready."