Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Chloe caught a flash of disappointment in Connor's eyes. There was even a hint of a bitter smile tugging at his lips. He didn't look like he was pretending.

If what Grayson said was true-if Connor had really forced himself into her life, and all she'd ever wanted was to escape him-why did he look so let down? Wasn't he the one who kept wishing she'd remember everything?

Finally, Connor spoke up, answering the question she'd asked a few moments before. “Because you lost your memory, I was afraid that even if you knew the whole truth, you still wouldn't want to come with me."

He paused, his voice softer. "But I regret it now. I should've told you everything a long time ago."

But there was more to it, something even more important. Connor had hoped Chloe would remember on her own, because the truth would hit too hard if she heard it with no memories to soften the blow. He didn't want to see her hurt- especially not when it came to telling her that Grayson wasn't really her child.

Now that Lucas had already spilled everything, Connor figured it was better to just let her see the truth for herself, instead of letting Lucas twist things any further.

Chloe's face stayed calm, almost eerily so. She looked like a judge, examining her own past from a distance. She didn't know why, but in that moment, it felt like she'd finally ripped off the perfect wife and mother mask she'd worn when they first met in Japan. For the first time in a long time, she felt like the old Chloe again.

"Did we ever get married?" she asked.

"We did," Connor answered.

"Were we happy?"

"We loved each other. We really did."

Chloe kept asking questions, and every answer Connor gave was the complete opposite of what Grayson had told her.

She went quiet for a moment, then just laid it all out. "Grayson said you forced yourself into my life, ruined our family, and that Tim is the child I had after you... after you forced yourself on me."

Chloe knew she probably shouldn't

have said that out loud. Grayson had warned

her over and over to be

careful around Connor. But she needed to know. She didn't care about words-she cared about the tiny reactions, the first flicker of truth before anyone could hide it. That was the fastest way to see who someone really was.

So far, she didn't think Connor was lying. If Lucas had been telling the truth, Connor would've slipped up. even for a second-something Chloe would've caught. Or maybe he' show that violent side Grayson kept warning her about. But none of that happened.

Instead, Connor looked genuinely surprised. And then, to her shock, he even laughed a little.

"Lucas actually said that? He really should write novels."

"So you're saying he made it all up?" Chloe pressed.

Connor stood, and now there was a flicker of anger in his eyes. "Did he also tell you that, on the day you two got married, he ran off to another

country with your best friether

Did he

mention that Aaron's real name is Summer, that he took his mother's last name, and that his real mom is Linda-the same Linda who betrayed you with him?"

Chloe froze. It was like another bomb had dropped on her.noveldrama

Connor had wanted her to remember all this herself, when her memories

returned. But now, with Lucas filling her head with lies, Connor had no choice but to lay everything out.

Inside, Chloe felt like a storm was tearing her apart. "You're saying Aaron isn't my son? He's Lucas and Linda's child?"

It was too much. "I don't believe you. That can't be true."

"Connor, what are you doing?"

Just then, Lucas burst through the door.

Connor turned to him, voice cold. "Perfect timing, Lucas. You took advantage of Chloe's memory loss, hid her away, made her leave Tim-just so you could have her raise the son you had with Linda. How can you stand there and lie like this?"