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When the time comes, when you re both ready, you ll know it.
Maybe. At least Hope looked a little more relaxed and at ease. Chloe hoped she d
helped a little bit, but Hope had gone through so much that Chloe doubted she d been
able to.
I have to get going. Jim s going to worry about me. Ryan was probably getting bored
playing video games on his tablet. Despite her brother s presence Jim had fussed over her
before she d left. Hope?
Hmm? Hope gazed at Chloe, her expression filled with anxiety.
Don t give up, okay?
Whatever Hope saw in Chloe s face must have had an effect, because she nodded. I
won t. You re right. I can t let Tito win.
Call me if you want to talk. And Chloe meant that. She d do whatever it took to help
heal Hope.
Thanks. Hope glanced toward the window again, to where her mate watched over
her from afar. I just might.
Jim?
Jim froze, his hand on the exam room door.
James, answer me.
He glanced over at his mother, ignoring her sullen scowl.
She looked like she always had. Her short silver hair was both stylish and efficient. The
lemon-yellow capris, bright white polo shirt and tasteful jewelry screamed country club
luncheon. Even her white sandals were perfect, without a single mark on them. They
looked as good as the day his mother had bought them.
I have a patient to see. You can wait in the waiting room, or better, make an
appointment. He threw Irene under the bus without a second thought. I m certain my
partner would be happy to deal with you.
Jim started to enter the exam room when his mother s vicious tone stopped him dead.
Your partner or your girlfriend?
He almost laughed. You ve really been out of my life for a while now, haven t you?
He shook his head. Listen. I m marrying a girl named Chloe Williams as soon as she says
yes. He heard a gasp behind him but ignored it. He d already scented Chloe, heard the
tap of her cane as she came down the hallway, and wanted her to know his intentions
weren t just honorable but forever. Her leg had been bothering her that morning so he d
insisted she take the cane he d bought for her a couple of days ago. She s got red hair,
the cutest freckles I ve ever seen, and is the strongest woman it s ever been my privilege
to meet. His mother s gaze darted to Chloe before settling once more on him. Her
family is incredible, and they ve already welcomed me, and Spencer, with open arms,
which is more than you ve done.
I will not welcome your father s bastard, Jim. I won t. Not now, not ever. She clutched
the strap of her probably expensive bag and gave him a pleading look that might have
worked on him six months ago. How can you not understand that?
I do understand. All I ve asked is you respect my decision to have Spence in my life.
Jim crossed his arms over his chest.
No. You re my son, James. Not him. Wanda Woods crossed her arms over her chest.
Never him.
Fine.
She relaxed. Have you spoken to your father about alimony?
Jim rolled his eyes. No. That s the place of your lawyer, not your son.
She huffed. He wants me to get a job. Me! At my age!
His brows rose. You re healthy, smart, and barely over fifty, Mother.
As if thirty years of marriage count for nothing. Her gaze darted once more to Chloe.
You ll understand when Jim leaves you for someone else.
Jim immediately stood between his mother and Chloe. Don t. Do not drag her into
your drama. She stays drama-free.
His mother scowled. What is she, fifteen? You re more like your father than I thought.
Get. Out. His teeth were clenched as he desperately tried not to howl at his parent.
May I? Chloe s sweet scent wrapped around him, calming him. Mrs. Woods, I
presume?
Not for much longer. Wanda relaxed her grip on her bag.
Is all this really worth losing your son over?
Wanda seemed perplexed. What do you mean?
Look at your son. Chloe s hand landed on his biceps. Really look at him. He s
exhausted, he s angry, he s hurting. Is this what you wanted?
He s always been melodramatic. His mother s annoyed sigh was one Jim had heard
many times before. And it s not like you were around to get to know him, were you?
She tilted her head, and Jim wasn t quite fast enough to stop what his mother was about
to say. How is your ex-boyfriend, by the way?
Chloe glanced up at Jim. I don t
Oh, don t play coy with me. I saw my son when you were dating what s-his-name.
Were you even legal then? And he s in charge of the police. His mother looked
delightedly scandalized. Imagine the scandal if that got out.
She sounded positively gleeful. It wouldn t matter if it was all a lie. Gabriel Anderson
would lose his job and any chance at a respectable one for the rest of his life. Why are
you doing this, Mother?
She glanced at him with what seemed genuine regret. I want alimony.
Talk to your lawyer. Jim threw his hands in the air. There s nothing I can do about it.
Father no longer speaks to me, remember?
She shrugged. He would if you got rid of his bastard.
He growled, the sound no longer human. He turned away from his mother s stunned
expression toward Chloe, lifting a hand to her cheek. Go in and talk to the patient for
me, pretty.
Chloe s eyes went wide. What about She pointed to her lips.
He kissed her forehead. It ll be fine, I promise.
She bit her lip, but straightened her shoulders. Okay. She opened the door with a
ready smile. Hello, Mrs. Stanley. How is Van Gogh doing today?
The door shut behind his mate, and Jim felt free to let loose on his mother. She d just
proven she was lying through her teeth. She knew exactly who Chloe was, and planned
on using his mate to force him to do what she wanted.
Jim wasn t going to allow that. His mother would keep her poisonous claws away from
Chloe, or else. You re not welcome here.
James
No. We re done. Once and for all, done. I want a divorce.
She blinked in shock. Excuse me?
I am not your lawyer or your husband. I m your son, and you ve done nothing but
abuse that relationship since the moment you and Dad decided it was over. I m sick of
hearing you bitch, Mother. Get out of my business, get out of my practice and stay out of
my life.
He turned on his heel and marched to his office, too upset to deal with any of the
patients waiting to see him. How dare she come in here and threaten his mate over
something he had no control over?
He carefully shut the door, unwilling even in his anger to upset his patients. He leaned
back against the door and blew out a cleansing breath, trying to get his rage under
control.
The last thing he wanted was to hear a knock at his door, but Chloe s scent was on the
other side. Yes, Chloe?
Um, Van Gogh has a big boo-boo on his bum-bum.
Trust his mate to get him to laugh. He opened the door to find her holding a folder to
her chest, her eyes wide and bright as she looked up at him anxiously. A what now?
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