Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 436 Nick's body remained immovable, yet he used one hand to press against Khloe's arm, pulling her close while simultaneously turning them both around. "Nick..." "Just an ex seeing the present, huh? Am I not good enough, or are you still hung up on him?" Nick's voice was calm, but the teasing undertone betrayed him Every time Khloe encountered Trey, though she never gave him akind glance, Nick still felt a pang of jealousy. In other words, as long as Trey existed and still coveted Khloe, Nick would feel uneasy. "Of course not... | just...

find him annoying." Khloe ground out the words through clenched teeth. Her instinct was to avoid Trey; seeing him brought back painful memories, triggering a visceral nausea and repulsion. Now, his incessant attention only made her feel embarrassed. But pressed against Nick, her rational mind returned, suppressing her instinctive urge to recoil. The one at fault was Trey, not her. And more importantly, she couldn't let Nick misunderstand.

---- "Do you know how to wound someone right in the heart?" Nick whispered in her ear, warm breath brushing the curve of her ear before he lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers. "Khloe!" Trey's eyes flared with rage. His legs, heavy as lead, finally moved forward, desperate to draw her attention back, to grab her arm. But Nick gave him no chance. With a single hand, he pushed the shopping cart sideways. The heavy cart slammed into Trey's shin, forcing him to bend over from the pain.

Yet, to preserve what little dignity he had, Trey gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his brow, and didn't utter a sound. Nick then cradled Khloe like a treasure, his body creating a barrier between her and everyone else. "Wifey, there's nothing good on that side. Let's go over here." His voice was quiet, yet clear enough for Trey to hear. Nick deliberately emphasized "honey," the word lingering in a tender tone layered with an unmistakable edge. Though Trey was seething with anger, a glance into Nick's dark, commanding gaze triggered a flicker of fear.

The man's presence radiated a force that seemed capable of crushing him at any moment. ---- Trey stumbled back half a step, lips trembling, eyes reddened. He could only stare at Khloe with a near-pleading intensity. "You... you really are... married to someone else?" His voice was hoarse, every word swallowed in a strangled breath, as if he might break down and cry at any moment. Anyone witnessing him would have felt pity. But Khloe and Nick were not among them. Trey's pretentious sentiment, his practiced vulnerability, had been deployed countless times before.

Like the boy crying wolf, he had lost all power to affect her. Khloe ignored him entirely, her voice soft and gentle as she answered Nick, "Alright, we'll do whatever you say... Hubby." The words hit Trey like ice water to the chest. He was too stunned to respond. He wanted to follow them, but his legs felt like lead, unable to move, unable even to turn away. He could only watch as they passed, side by side, out of his reach. "Khloe, | regret it." Trey gritted his teeth, summoning every ounce of dignity he had left, and fell to his knees toward her.

Shoppers nearby quickly crowded around, drawn to the drama. ---- Trey's eyes stayed locked on their backs. He noticed Khloe sway slightly as Nick steadied her. The pair paused in the aisle.