Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 698 Khloe didn't respond. She bit her lip hard, a surge of self- directed anger rising in her chest. If only she hadn't insisted on proving herself... If she hadn't gone head-to-head with Clarice... Would Nick have... She spun around, voice cold and controlled. "Leave. | want to be alone." The words were clearly meant for Henry. Without naming him, Delilah immediately tried to smooth things over. "Master Henry, let's go. Khloe needs to rest right now." Henry's gaze sharpened, lingering on Khloe for a long moment, before he turned and left.

Seeing Khloe in such a fragile state, Arista also chose not to. disturb her and quietly followed him out with her people. Soon after, Ralph arrived at the hospital Khloe had been waiting for him. Even after all this time, she had a creeping sense of dread. She had checked with Lenny repeatedly, scoured the local news, but there was nothing about the bus explosion. No news meant good news... right? She tried to convince herself. ---- But when Ralph walked in, the atmosphere immediately felt heavy. Lenny and Arista hadn't come with him; Ralph had arrived alone to see her. "Nick...? Is he...

hurt?" Khloe's voice trembled uncontrollably as soon as she spoke. Fear gripped her so tightly she felt she might stop breathing. Ralph looked down, avoiding her gaze. He didn't know how to say it. After an afternoon of searching, six sets of charred remains had been found near the crash site, their identities impossible to determine. With an explosion like that, Nick surviving was unthinkable. But there was no way to tell Khloe such a thing-not while she was in this state, and pregnant at that. How could he tell her without shattering her completely?

Yet, if he stayed silent, the news would reach her eventually. There was no hiding it. Ralph swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing as he forced his voice steady. "Khloe... calm down. Please, listen to me. "The bus went over the cliff and exploded. The fire was massive. We reached the site... and we found... some remains. But due to the severity of the burning, confirming identities will take time." ---- He didn't say the words outright-he didn't say "Nick is dead"- but every word crushed the last fragile thread of hope in Khloe's heart.

In an instant, she felt her blood freeze, her body cold in a way that made no sense. The rest of Ralph's words were just static in her ears, a high-pitched buzzing she couldn't focus on. "No... no, it can't be... He said he'd come back... He promised me A numbness settled in her eyes. She shook her head, instinctively resisting a truth she already knew. She grabbed Ralph's arm with desperate strength. "Did you find him? Did you see him? Did you... confirm it?!" "No! We haven't confirmed anything yet!" Ralph replied quickly, his voice firm but gentle, trying to soothe her.

"The search and rescue are ongoing. The area is being expanded... maybe we just haven't found him yet." Every word he spoke was a lie. Yet, even a sliver of hope had to be left for her. A faint glimmer appeared in Khloe's eyes. "Right... the search... they're still searching... He's not dead... he must still be waiting for me... | have to... | have to go..." ---- She tried to struggle out of bed, ignoring the IV still in her hand. "Khloe! You can't go!" Ralph blocked her, voice sharp with urgency. "It's still dangerous there, and your body can't take it!

If anything happens to you or the baby, Nick-" He stopped himself from saying "would have died for nothing" and instead said, "...He would only worry more."