Chapter 4 Where Did the Business Go
Morgan frowned when he saw the dishes Tracy ordered. “Why just vegetables? There’s no nutrition in that. You’re so thin already—order more meat.”
Without waiting, he grabbed the menu and added several of Tracy’s favorite dishes himself.
During the meal, Lily kept serving Tracy food, making sure the plates in front of her were filled with what she liked.
But Tracy’s appetite had been poor lately. After a few bites, she couldn’t eat anymore.
Seeing this, Lily asked with concern, “Tracy, what’s wrong? Don’t like the food?”
Tracy shook her head. “No, I just ate something earlier, so I’m not very hungry now.”
In truth, it was the illness. She hadn’t had much of an appetite for a long time. But she couldn’t say that—she didn’t want them to worry.
After a while, Tracy’s stomach started to feel uncomfortable. She excused herself to go to the restroom.
Passing by the smoking area, she overheard a few familiar voices—Chandler’s friends.
“Chandler, you’re not going home tonight? Didn’t your wife call to check on you?”
“With that clingy personality of hers? Of course she did. Chandler must have sweet-talked her into letting it go.”
“That woman’s too annoying. Always checking up on him. No wonder Chandler doesn’t like her anymore. After so many years, the freshness wears off.”
“Exactly. Now Yvonne, she’s way better than Tracy—looks, body, family background, she’s got it all. Honestly, if it were me, I’d be tempted too.”
The fact that Chandler’s friends could mock her so casually meant only one thing: when they spoke badly of her in front of him, Chandler never stopped them.
Tracy lowered her gaze, a faint mocking smile tugging at her lips, and turned away.
Through the smoke, Chandler caught sight of her silhouette. Startled, he quickly crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and strode out.
His friends followed, tossing away their own cigarettes in a rush.
“Tracy.”
Chandler called after her, his face dark. “So now your way of checking up on me is following me around?”
His friends exchanged shocked looks. None of them had expected her to show up here.
Tonight’s gathering was a last-minute arrangement by Mr. Xander for his sister Yvonne’s birthday. They’d even reserved a top-level private room known for its discretion. For Tracy to find them here—her methods must be impressive.
And who knew how much of their conversation she had heard.
Tracy froze, her chest tightening painfully.
In a blur, her mind conjured up the memory of Chandler fighting for her years ago. That boy overlapped with the man before her now, the one staring at her with nothing but suspicion and irritation.
Back then, he had loved her deeply. But now…
When had that love turned into nothing but impatience and disdain?
Steadying her thoughts, Tracy forced a small smile. “Sorry. I’m just here for dinner, not to look for you.”
She started toward the restroom, but Chandler grabbed her arm.
His face was tense, his tone edged with irritation. “Tracy, can you stop making a scene? I’m just here to talk business. If you keep acting like this, you’ll embarrass me.”
Tracy pulled her arm back smoothly, arching a brow. “How exactly am I making a scene?”
Going to the restroom counted as making a scene? What a joke.
Yes, in the past, when she first noticed him changing, she had clung to him desperately, smothering him until he was sick of her.
Because she had known his love once, she could feel the absence of it keenly.
She had been selfish—trying to force him back into the man who once adored her.
Never again.
Chandler stiffened, his face darkening.
His friends rushed forward to ease the tension.
“Don’t get the wrong idea, really. We’re just here on business.”
Tracy nodded calmly. “Oh. Then carry on. I won’t disturb you.”
She turned on her heel, her lips curling into a faint, mocking smile.
Business? Or taking it to the bedroom with another woman? She didn’t care.
In a month, he’d be her ex-husband. A stranger. None of it had anything to do with her.
The men watched her retreating figure, guilty expressions flickering across their faces.
“Chandler, she really does follow you everywhere. Strict as ever.”
“Maybe you should go after her, calm her down.”
Chandler pulled out another cigarette, irritation plain on his face. Someone lit it for him immediately.
He took a long drag. “Annoying.”
A few seconds later, his face smoothed over, calm as if nothing had happened. He turned and walked back into the private room.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
