After Eight Years, He Walked Away Like I Was Nothing - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Lachlan’s POV
After getting that call from the hospital, I jumped into my car, my heart pounding.
I slammed my foot on the gas and didn’t let up, blowing through who knows how many red lights.
Only a few things were running through my mind.
‘I have to get back to the estate. Fast. The hospital has to be wrong.’
‘Yeah, Chantelle’s mom was in a coma, but her body has been stable. There’s no way she could’ve just died out of nowhere!’
‘Not now. Not right when I stopped covering her medical bills. It can’t be that cruel of a coincidence… can it?’
Even though a part of me had been dreading this exact moment, I still couldn’t accept it.
Because if it really was true—knowing how much Chantelle loved her mom—then I’d have no chance of ever winning her back.
And just thinking about losing her completely… it felt like someone had punched a hole straight through my chest. Like the wind was howling right through me.
I didn’t want to believe it. I just kept hoping it was all a mistake.
When I finally got to the estate, I stood at the door like an idiot, hands frozen. I couldn’t even bring myself to open it like I usually did.
It took everything in me to finally push it open and flip on the light.
And there she was—lying on the couch.
The relief hit me so hard it probably lit up my whole body.
I ran over without thinking and wrapped her up in my arms.
“Chantelle, you’re finally back!” I choked out, pulling her even closer. “I know I messed up. I treated you like crap these past few weeks, but that ends now. I only want you.”
I pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, my voice low and urgent. “As for Kirsten and the kids—I’ll find them somewhere else to stay—”
“You’ll never see them again, alright?” I promised.
Kirsten’s POV
Lachlan was talking so eagerly, completely unaware that I’d gone stiff in his arms the second he said those words.
When I didn’t respond, not for a long time, he finally seemed to realize something was off.
He frowned and looked down—then froze when he saw me glaring up at him, eyes full of fury.
“Kirsten?” he muttered under his breath. His face instantly twisted with rage. “Why the hell is it you?! Where’s Chantelle?!”
The disappointment hit him so hard, it warped his whole expression. He stared at me like I’d tricked him.
I couldn’t understand what had changed so suddenly—but I knew this wasn’t the time to fight back.
Blinking through the tears, I forced my voice to stay soft. “You’ve been gone for days,” I said quietly. “I just… missed you.”
I looked down, trying to hold it together. “I just wanted to wait here for you to come home.”
My voice shook as I glanced up at him again. “Locke, why are you sending me and the kids away?”
“Did Chantelle say something to you?” I asked. “I’m not trying to cause any problems. I don’t care where we live… as long as I still get to see you once in a while.”
I hesitated, then added, “But the kids… they’re still so little. They need their dad. If Chantelle really wants me gone, then… as long as she treats the kids like her own, I’ll go.”
Lachlan’s POV
As she spoke, Kirsten kept trying to slip in subtle jabs—trying to make Chantelle look bad without being obvious about it.
Maybe in the past, I wouldn’t have caught it.
But now? I looked at her with pure disgust. Without a second thought, I shoved her out of my arms, and she hit the floor with a thud.
“Have you said enough?” I snapped, my voice sharp. “Don’t think I can’t tell you’re trying to turn me against Chantelle. I know exactly what kind of person my wife is. I don’t need your comments on her.”
I took a step closer, my eyes narrowed. “And let me make one thing clear, Kirsten—only the kids Chantelle accepts are mine. If she doesn’t like them, doesn’t accept those twins, then take them and get the hell out of here!”
My voice dropped, cold and final.
I stood over her, my shadow swallowing her up like the room had gone dark. Her face was pale, eyes wide, but I didn’t stop.
“Kirsten,” I said through clenched teeth, “before I lose every last bit of patience I have left—get out of my sight. Take those kids with you. I’m giving you one day. Pack your things.”
I paused just long enough to let the words sink in, then added, “If I come back tomorrow and you’re still in this estate with those kids, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
The silence that followed was freezing. My tone alone could’ve chilled someone to the bone.
Tears streamed down her face. Her lips parted like she wanted to speak, but when she looked up and saw the threat in my eyes, she just lowered her head without a word.
Right then, the phone in the study started ringing. I turned and rushed over, something in my gut twisting. I picked it up fast—heart pounding.
Sure enough, it was Jules on the line.
Before he could say a word, I cut him off, almost frantic. “Did the hospital call? Did they say they made a mistake? Or did Chantelle call you?”
I didn’t wait for a response. “My phone broke earlier—get me a new one, and make sure Chantelle has the number.”
Even as I said it, I felt a bit of hope flicker to life. A tiny smile started to creep across my face.
But it didn’t last long. On the other end, Jules spoke awkwardly, “Sir, the hospital didn’t call. And Ma’am Chantelle… She hasn’t reached out either.”
I froze. My heart skipped a beat.
Jules continued, slower now. “It’s just… when you asked me earlier to pay the hospital bill, they refunded it.”
He hesitated.
“They said…”
My grip on the phone tightened. My throat went dry. “T-They said what?” I asked, barely able to get the words out.
There was a short but horrible silence before Jules finally forced it out, voice low.
“They said… Ma’am Chantelle’s mother had already passed away. There was no need to cover the hospital bills anymore.”