Chapter 16 - Chloe’s Proposition
The next day, I invited Chloe over for coffee at the house.
She arrived looking much healthier, a soft glow replacing the terrified pallor she had at the hospital.
We sat at the kitchen island, sipping decaf lattes as Leo cooed in his bouncy seat.
“I saw the news about the airport arrest,” Chloe said, shaking her head in disbelief.
“He really thought he could outsmart the federal government,” I replied, chuckling softly.
Chloe reached into her purse and pulled out a set of shiny silver keys.
“The condo is in my name, but he bought it with your money,” she said, sliding the keys across the granite counter.
“I want to sign the deed over to you, it is the right thing to do,” she insisted.
I stared at the keys, moved by her genuine integrity.
“Chloe, you are about to be a single mother with a newborn, you need a safe place to live,” I argued gently.
“I can't afford the property taxes anyway, and my parents in Ohio said I can move back home with them,” she explained with a sad smile.
I pushed the keys back toward her.
“Sell the condo, keep fifty percent for your baby's future, and give me the other half,” I compromised.
Tears welled up in Chloe’s eyes, and she reached across the counter to squeeze my hand.
“You are a much better person than I ever deserved to meet,” she whispered gratefully.
We had been pitted against each other by a manipulative sociopath, but we chose to end it as allies.
We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about baby names and discussing our hopes for the future.
It felt incredibly healing to turn a bitter rivalry into a foundation of mutual support.
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When Chloe finally left, I felt a profound sense of closure locking the door behind her.
The past was finally settled, and I could finally look strictly forward.
