Chapter 13 - Separate CastlesThe day Leo came home was supposed to be a fairytale.
But as the Maybach pulled up to the towering iron gates of the Thorne Estate—a sprawling, fifty-million-dollar mansion in upstate New York—Khloe felt a cold sweat break out on her neck.
This was the house where Isabella had smiled at her over dinner. This was the house where Marcus had dismissed Khloe's concerns, telling her to "play nice" for the sake of the merger. The walls felt suffocating.
"Stop the car," Khloe ordered.
The driver immediately hit the brakes. Marcus, sitting opposite her with Leo sleeping peacefully in his car seat, looked up in alarm.
"Khloe? Are you okay? Are you in pain?" Marcus asked, reaching for his phone to call the private doctor.
"I can't go in there," she whispered, her hands shaking. "I can't live in that house, Marcus. I just can't."
Marcus looked out the window at his ancestral home, the ultimate symbol of his wealth and power. Then, he looked at his wife, who looked like she was about to have a panic attack.
Without a second of hesitation, Marcus leaned forward. "Turn the car around," he told the driver.
"Sir?" the driver asked, confused.
"I said turn the damn car around!" Marcus barked. He looked back at Khloe, his voice dropping to a gentle, soothing tone. "Where do you want to go, sweetheart? A hotel? Your parents' house in Malibu? You say the word, and I'll buy the building right now."
Khloe took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Drive to the Sterling-Hayes property on 72nd Street. The penthouse."
It was a property owned by her family's company. A place that belonged to her. A place untouched by the Thorne family’s dark, corporate history.
When they arrived, the penthouse was fully furnished, bright, and airy. It overlooked Central Park. It was a fresh start.
As Khloe settled Leo into a makeshift bassinet in the master bedroom, she walked back out to the living room. Marcus was standing by the door, his hands in his pockets. He hadn't taken his coat off.
"What are you doing?" Khloe asked.
"I'm going to head back to the estate," Marcus said gently. "I'll have my team bring your clothes and whatever you need here. I'll hire a full security detail for the lobby."
Khloe frowned. "You're not staying?"
"This is your safe space, Khloe," Marcus said, his eyes filled with a heartbreaking sincerity. "You need to heal. You need to be surrounded by things that make you feel secure. And right now... I know I am not one of those things."
He walked over, pressed a soft, lingering kiss to the top of her head, and turned toward the door.
"Marcus."
He stopped, his hand on the doorknob.
"You can come back tomorrow," Khloe said quietly. "To see Leo."
May you like
Marcus closed his eyes, a heavy breath escaping his lungs. "I'll be here at 8 AM. With coffee."
He left, proving for the first time in their marriage that he was willing to put her emotional safety above his own selfish desires.
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