Chapter Seventy-Three: The Years She Had to Build Herself

Chloe

She hesitated.

Not because she didn't want to answer.

Not because she wasn't ready to talk.

But because the words—the memories—they weren't simple.

She inhaled slowly, watching the highway stretch before them, letting the silence linger just a little longer before finally speaking.

"It wasn't easy."

Her voice was quieter this time.

"It was never easy."

Kian didn't respond immediately.

Didn't press.

Didn't fill the space with meaningless words.

He just listened.

Just watched her, stealing glances between stretches of road, letting her control the pace of the conversation.

And Chloe?

Chloe let the memories return, slowly, carefully.

"Adjusting wasn't simple. You know how it was… everything was given to me back then. With the Redgraves, life was effortless. If I wanted something, it was already mine before I even asked."

She huffed lightly, shaking her head.

"Then suddenly, I was on my own."

Her fingers tightened slightly against her lap.

"I started as an intern. Worked my way up. Became an associate, then a manager. I was treated like an ordinary person. No privilege. No automatic respect. No resources waiting at my fingertips."

She swallowed, exhaling slowly.

"It was so different from everything I knew."

Kian

She had built herself from the ground up.

Step by step.

Without assistance.

Without the privilege she once had.

And he hated that it hurt.

Not because he doubted her strength.

Not because he believed she couldn't survive without her family's wealth.

But because this was the life she had chosen when she left him.

A life without him.

A life where she struggled.

Where she endured alone.

And the worst part?

She hadn't looked back.

Not once.

Kian tightened his grip on the steering wheel but forced himself to stay composed.

He wasn't going to voice it.

Wasn't going to let the weight of his thoughts ruin the day.

Because this moment—this day—was meant to be amazing.