The High-Libido CEO’s Cold Wife Chapter 12
Three months later, Ryan and I completed the Sirenthorn antidote.
Lydia had completed every screening requirement and became the first volunteer to receive the
finished formulation under observation.
After Lydia responded well, eligible members of her support group contacted the team and began scheduling supervised treatment.
Because I had been exposed only once, I needed only a very small dose to clear the remaining toxin from my body.
When Julian learned about the injection, he supported my decision.
He waited in the corridor rather than interfering with the procedure. “These three months with you have made me happier than I knew how to ask for. Thank you, Chloe.”
I smiled. “Are you afraid I’ll become cold again after the antidote?”
Julian stroked my hair with quiet tenderness. “No.
However you change, I’ll love you.”
“Then I’m going inside.”
There was something I had not told him yet.
Even after the antidote, I would never return to the woman who shut him out completely.
Through patience, honesty, and a great deal of persistence, Julian had finally discovered how to
unlock both my body and my guarded heart.
Some desires became addictive.
And I had become addicted to him.
That weekend, Julian and I returned to the Caldwell estate for dinner.
For the first time, his grandfather saw us enter hand in hand.
His grandfather had apparently waited years to see us show affection openly, and his smile never
left his face.
When Julian went to the wine cellar, his grandfather drew me aside.
“Chloe, your father and Julian’s father arranged your marriage, and Julian did object at first.”
My chest tightened.
He continued, “Julian said he wanted to pursue the woman he loved himself. He did not want the family arranging his future.”
“But your father warned him that you were so reserved, it might take him years to win you over.”
“Only then did Julian agree to let the families bring you together.”
“After your father died, Julian wanted to postpone the wedding. He hoped to spend time with you
and wait until you loved him before marrying.”
“I refused. I told him you could learn to love each other after the wedding.
Looking at you now, I believe I was right.”
I did not know whether to laugh or sigh.
The belief that Julian married me out of duty had shaped our relationship from the beginning, yet it
had never been true.
After dinner, we drove to the preserve.
On the way, I asked, “When did you first fall in love with me?”
Julian looked toward the road ahead, but tenderness warmed his voice. “Do you remember the party your family held for your eighteenth birthday?”
“My parents brought me to your party.”
“You were pruning flowers in the garden, and I stood behind you watching for a long time.”
“That was when I fell in love with you.”
[Julian loved her that early?]
[No wonder he gave Chloe a mountain and a laboratory after the wedding. It wasn’t just money; he gave her exactly what mattered to her.]
[His love for Chloe was hidden in every part of their daily life.]
[I hated the idea of them together at first, but I admit they’ve won me over.]
[Same here. I’m convinced now.]
[The hero and his supporting character are unexpectedly perfect together.]
[The heroine found happiness of her own too. Isn’t this the best possible ending?]
Lydia finished her internship at Caldwell Holdings.
She accepted a position at the state-funded research institute.
Quinn remained at her side through treatment, and by then their friends expected an engagement
announcement soon.
That night, Julian and I stayed at the cottage in the woods.
He closed the windows as insects wove their calls into a song outside.
Several waves of sound rose and faded beneath the moonlight.
Julian kissed my forehead and coaxed me gently. “If you become uncomfortable, tell me to stop.
You never have to protect my feelings.”
He still feared overwhelming me, but discomfort was the furthest thing from what I felt in his arms
that night.
Inside the cottage surrounded by our mountain flowers, closeness no longer felt like an obligation. It felt natural, peaceful, and entirely welcome.
I linked my arms behind his neck and whispered against his ear, “Keep going, Julian.”
Jøy broke across his face, and his voice turned rough. “Could we try my office next time?
I prepared several things…”
I smiled. “Yes.”
The night breeze stirred the curtains, and moonlight spread across the floor.
Beyond the cottage windows, flowers covered the mountain in full, unrestrained bloom, mirroring
the life we had finally learned to share.
