The High-Libido CEO’s Cold Wife Chapter 10
Hearing footsteps behind him, Julian turned.
Surprise stopped him for an instant. Then his eyes settled on me with an intensity that made the
crowded beach seem suddenly private.
“Chloe, what are you doing here?”
I stopped in front of him and answered honestly. “I met Lydia to ask some questions related to my
research.”
Julian nodded. “She and Quinn live nearby.”
“Quinn and I went to college together. Several people from our class bought property in this
neighborhood.”
I used his explanation to ask the question that had followed me since the phone call. “Maria said you haven’t been staying at the estate. Why?”
Julian stepped closer. “Do you know why I couldn’t stay there?”
My nerves tightened. “Why?”
“Because…” He struggled to hide the pain in his eyes. “The entire house smells like you.
I was afraid I would lose control.”
So that was the reason.
The admission was quiet, but it touched something tender inside me and overturned the cold interpretation I had carried for days.
I wanted to ask whether we could forget the divorce and begin again.”
Instead, I heard myself say, “How far has the divorce filing gone?”
The moment the question left my mouth, I pressed my lips together.
My ability to analyze complex plant compounds had never helped me express a simple emotional
question correctly.
I had meant to test whether he still wanted the divorce.
My words made it sound as though I were rushing him to finish it.
Would he misunderstand me again?
Of course he did.
His expression darkened. “There is no case, Chloe.
I never truly intended to divorce you.”
Relief rose so quickly that I nearly smiled, but years of restraint helped me keep the happiness from
showing too clearly.
“Then why did you make me sign the papers?”
Julian enclosed my hand in both of his. “I never authorized Quinn to file the petition, and no case
was opened. Those signed settlement papers could not end our marriage on their own.”
“I was wrong. I used those papers because I was desperate to make you notice me.”
“Let’s end this here. Neither of us will mention divorce again.
All right?”
[I’ve seen wives threaten divorce when they’re unhappy.]
[This is the first time I’ve seen a husband do it.]
[Julian only wanted more affection and some proof that he mattered.]
[He didn’t expect his bluff to backfire so badly.]
“All right,” I said without hesitation. “We won’t mention it again.”
Julian’s arms closed around me with visible relief, as though the divorce had been a disaster he had
narrowly escaped.
“I’ve thought about this constantly,” he whispered beside my ear.
“I kept asking for more because I wanted you, but I didn’t stop to understand how overwhelmed and
exhausted you felt.”
“I can change. If you don’t want me to touch you, I can control myself.”
“I would endure it for the rest of my life if that was what you needed.”
The comments exploded.
[Hero, did you just talk yourself into accepting everything?]
[You would deny yourself for life?]
[Desire is normal. You need to be honest about who you are.]
[Julian isn’t the one who needs to change. Chloe is.]
[Exactly. He wants affection paid daily, about seven times a day.]
[He does not want a monthly salary or a quarterly bonus.]
[They could agree on a number that works for both of them.]
[Marriage survives through honest negotiation and mutual compromise.]’
I returned his embrace instead of remaining still inside it. “You aren’t the only one responsible.
Give me time, and I’ll learn to meet you halfway too.”
Julian kissed my forehead with reverence.
“Take all the time you need. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”‘
“As long as you stop pushing me away, I can wait however long it takes.”
