CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: WHY ARE YOU SO FAR FROM ME?

The door opened.

The moment Caleb Xavier saw him, his eyes reddened. Leaning on a dragon-headed cane, his body trembled so much he could barely stand.

"My dear grandson, you’re awake?"

Donovan Xavier nodded. "Yes."

Caleb Xavier, his hair white and his eyes brimming with tears, stepped forward to hug him. "My good grandson, you have no idea how worried I was when you were in a coma!"

"Sorry for making you worry. I’m fine now," Donovan Xavier replied softly.

His amnesia meant he couldn’t remember much. To him, the old man was still the same kind and compassionate grandfather from before.

Caleb Xavier let go of him, pursed his lips, and dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief. "Your dad was ecstatic to hear you’re awake. He’s at a conference abroad but is rushing back immediately."

"Isla was also making a fuss about coming, but she has a high fever, so I didn’t let her. You should go back to the old manor to see her when you have time."

"Okay," Donovan Xavier said.

"Donovan..." Rosalind Rowan called out from the side, her voice sweet and tinged with a sob.

Only then did Donovan Xavier notice someone else was standing nearby. He looked up, glanced at her, and frowned. "Who are you?"

Rosalind Rowan froze for a few seconds. "Donovan, it’s me, Rosalind."

Donovan Xavier’s voice was flat and utterly detached. "I don’t recognize you. I have no memory of you."

"Also, who gave you permission to call me that?"

Chloe Preston was his girlfriend, so of course, she could call him that. Mr. Sterling had said she was the only woman in his life. So, this person in front of him should have nothing to do with him.

Rosalind Rowan was stunned again. She turned to Caleb Xavier. "Grandfather, Donovan is..."

Caleb Xavier looked at the younger man and said, "Donovan, this is Rosalind, your fiancée."

"Hmm?"

Donovan Xavier’s brows knitted together. Fiancée? A look of utter confusion spread across his handsome face. Hadn’t Mr. Sterling said he and Chloe Preston were about to get married? She was even pregnant with his child. So how did a fiancée suddenly appear out of thin air? Damn, amnesia was a real pain.

Rosalind Rowan’s eyes were red, her delicate face exceptionally beautiful. She stepped forward, reaching out to touch him.

"Get away," Donovan blurted out instinctively, without a second thought.

Rosalind Rowan’s figure stiffened.

Seeing this, Caleb Xavier’s expression soured. "Donovan, how can you speak to Rosalind like that? She is your fiancée!"

Donovan Xavier looked up and swept his gaze over the woman once more, his brow furrowing even deeper.

He then turned, went back inside, and locked the door behind him—all in one smooth motion.

Caleb Xavier’s voice came from outside. "Donovan, what are you doing? Open the door! Grandpa wants to talk with you a little longer!"

Chloe Preston was no longer on the bed.

Donovan Xavier glanced around the room, and suddenly, a sound came from the dressing room.

He walked over, stood outside the door, and called out in a deep voice, "Chloe Preston, are you in there?"

"Yes," a voice replied from within.

Without a second thought, Donovan Xavier raised his hand, opened the door, and walked in. "I wanted to talk about..."

As he spoke, his eyes fell upon the scene before him, and his pupils constricted.

Chloe Preston’s gaze met his, and she too, jumped in shock, not expecting him to come straight in.

She was changing. She had just slipped off her nightdress, and now, there she stood, completely exposed to his eyes.

The sight was simply indescribable.

"Donovan Xavier, you... you pervert!" Chloe Preston quickly grabbed a piece of clothing to cover herself, glaring at him with a beet-red face.

"Are you still looking? Stop looking and get out!" she cried in a panic.

Donovan immediately averted his gaze. He turned around, clenching his fists so hard the veins bulged on his arm, his breathing ragged.

"Cough... S-sorry," he managed to say before his Adam’s apple bobbed. A blush crept up to the tips of his ears as he strode out the door.

「A while later.」

Donovan was leaning against the bed, a calm expression on his face as he idly scrolled through his phone.

He opened the photo album and flipped through the pictures one by one. They were all of Chloe Preston.

In his contacts, he had saved her as: Wife.

On WeChat, she was pinned to the top, labeled as: Baby.

Tsk, was I this cheesy before I lost my memory?

Donovan furrowed his brow. Although he found the nicknames a bit cringey, he didn’t change them. He knew himself. There must have been a good reason for labeling them like that.

Suddenly, the dressing room door opened, and Chloe Preston, now fully dressed, walked out.

Seeing her emerge, Donovan recalled the scene from moments ago. She had looked utterly enchanting, a vivid and alluring sight.

Donovan took a quiet, steadying breath, fighting back a sudden, intense wave of heat that washed over him.

Chloe coughed, walked over to the bed, and sat down beside him, leaving a gap between them wide enough for at least four people.

The air fell silent.

After a moment, Donovan raised his eyes to glance at her. "Am I going to bite? Why are you so far away?"

Chloe looked down, silent and unmoving.

In the next second, Donovan shifted closer and pulled her into a stiff, mechanical hug.

"Why did you suddenly hug me?" Chloe murmured, pressing her lips together as her gaze flickered.

"You don’t like it?" Donovan asked.

Chloe paused for a few seconds before blushing and whispering, "I like it."

A small smile played on Donovan’s lips.

Then, he said in a low voice, "Let me ask you something. Did I have a fiancée before I lost my memory?"

Chloe was taken aback. She looked at him. "You met Rosalind Rowan?"

"Yes. Outside. Grandpa brought her."

"So, it’s true?"

Chloe nodded.

Donovan’s brow furrowed slightly. "Then my feelings for her..."

Chloe clutched his shirt, staring straight at him, suddenly frantic. "You didn’t like her! You had no feelings for her at all! You even said you were going to break off the engagement!"

"You... You only liked me," she said, the last part with a complete lack of confidence.

Donovan’s lips curved into a smile. "I’m just asking. Why are you so anxious?"

Chloe looked down, cautiously took his large hand, and pursed her lips. "Your grandfather really likes her. Will... will you consider marrying her now?"

Donovan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Didn’t you just say I was going to break off the engagement?"

"That was before," Chloe said. "Now you have amnesia and don’t remember anything."

Donovan was silent for a moment, his deep, dark eyes fixed on her. "Chloe Preston, are you afraid I’ll leave you for someone else?"

Chloe didn’t speak but nodded.

He didn’t remember her now. He had no feelings for her. If a better option came along, why would he still choose her?

Suddenly, a large, long-fingered hand rested on her head, gently ruffling her hair.

A hint of an unreadable smile flickered in Donovan’s eyes as he spoke in a deep voice, "I promised I would be responsible for you and never abandon you. I won’t go back on my word."

"Chloe Preston, have a little confidence, will you? Even with amnesia, I’m still yours."

Hearing this, Chloe’s thick lashes trembled.

The next second, she threw her arms around his strong waist and buried her head in his warm chest. Her voice was muffled and soft. "You better not be lying. I’m actually believing you."

"Mm," Donovan agreed, cupping her chin with one hand. The coarse pad of his thumb gently brushed against her soft, red lips as a restless heat coursed through him.

He had always had excellent self-control, but not with this woman. Even without his memories, the mere sight of her made him want to get closer.

Donovan leaned in close to her ear, his breath hot, his voice intensely hoarse. "Can I kiss you?"

"Just once. Is that okay?"

Chloe’s face flushed red.

This guy was surprisingly polite after losing his memory. He was actually asking for permission, unlike before, when he would just take what he wanted by force.

Donovan watched her, his nose lightly brushing against her exquisite face, sending a shiver through her. "You don’t want to? Then... forget it."

Chloe grabbed his large hand, her head bowed and her face scarlet. "You don’t have to ask," she stammered. "Just go ahead..."

"Go ahead and what? Hmm?" Donovan murmured teasingly into her ear.

Suddenly, another knock came at the door. "Donovan, what are you doing in there? Why haven’t you come out yet?"

A dark expression fell over Donovan’s handsome face. He glanced toward the door and called out, "I’m busy."

"Busy with what?"

"Feeding the cat," Donovan replied casually. "Just wait for me downstairs. I’ll be out in a bit."