Chapter 188

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Aria said flatly , “ She can go wherever she wants . If you really want to take her , try your luck – if you think you can survive IL-
The killing intent in her voice was unmistakable .
Cloe didn’t think Aria was joking-
After all , a jerk was still an enemy . “ Now that you know about Maisle , I don’t have to nun anymore . Arla , let’s go !
The rain was pouring down . Maisie shrank into hersell , whispering , “ Mommy , it’s raining ”
Emma suggested gently , “ Why not stay until the rain stops ? it’s windy and cold , and kids catch colds so easily in this weather ”
So , Aria , Cloc , and Maisie stayed . The three of them settled on one side of the couch while the Shaw family gathered on the other .
Emma kept staring at Owen , finally letting out a sigh . “ You know , I went to a fortune teller once and he said both my sons would have rough love but and hardly any luck with kids . I always thought , even if you two have bad tempers , at least you’re good – looking .
“ Finding a wife shouldn’t be that hard , right ? But here’s Kim , thirty – two and still single , and Owen spends all day at the law firm , hasn’t brought home a single girlfriend , I nearly fainted from excitement when I heard there was a child – rushed right over ! And what do I hear ? Kim calling Cloe a gold – digger . Nearly sent me to an early grave .”
James muttered , “ Emma , just scold me instead . ”
Emma shot him a look . See your father ? If you two had half his sense , I’d be so moved . ”
Kim fell silent
Owen quickly defended himself , “ Mom , don’t lump me in with Kim . I’d never say something that crude or tasteless . Besides , Cloe’s done a great job raising Maisie .
Everyone glanced over . Maisie was squeezed between Aria and Cloe , doing funny little tricks to make them both laugh .
Kim couldn’t take his eyes off her
He’d always sworn off marriage – meeting Cloe was just an accident
She’d seduced him , he’d fallen for her body , nothing more .
They’d had sex , but never love . When she suddenly asked to get married , he’d turned her down .
Cloe hadn’t been surprised , just smiled , and told him to sleep with her one last time
He’d kept plenty of condoms at his place , but they vanished .
She’d told him it was her safe period , that she’d take a pill if she had to
He still refused , but she kept seducing him , just like their first night .
He never understood why she wanted to end things . Until she said he was just her ATM – she’d made enough , and didn’t want to play anymore . Only th did he let her go for good
Cleo spoke up . “ This isn’t all Kim’s fault . Honestly , I kind of set him up . ”
Aria was surprised .
Cloe sighed . In a way , she and Kim were alike ; neither of them wanted marriage , but she did want a child .
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She’d been attracted to Kim’s looks right from the start , even did some digging on him.
He was clean , single , handsome , smart , with no scandals after meeting him , other men just couldn’t compare .
So she made her move . Arranged ‘ accidental meetings , pulled out all the stops , finally got him into bed only for him to send his assist out for condoms , even after she said she’d take a pill .
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Again and again , she kept at it . She was hooked .
Kim was generous – limitless credit cards , gifts , bags , jewelry . Anything she liked , he’d hunt down for her .
He treated her almost like a kept woman .
She had to admit she liked it , but feelings started to creep in , and that scared her . If it kept going , she’d fall for him . She needed to wake up .
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