Chapter 106

**Third person**

“It's so good to finally see you awake." A grin was plastered on Robert's face as he settled onto the bed beside her.

“Thank you.” She smiled awkwardly.

Robert immediately took her hand, his gaze lingering on her for a beat too long. “I really missed you.”

There was tension in the air—a hidden current—that made Chloe's skin prickle. Elizabeth bustled around the room, straightening throw pillows and fussing over nonexistent wrinkles in the bedspread.

"Dinner will be ready soon," Elizabeth suddenly announced, her voice brittle. "Why don't you two lovebirds get acquainted? I need to check on the casserole," she said cheesily as she headed for the door.

Chloe's cheeks flushed slightly; they had told her this man was her husband, but everything felt so foreign.

The moment the door shut behind Elizabeth, Robert leaned in close, his lips aiming for hers. Chloe flinched back, startled by the sudden intimacy.

Regret flickered across Robert's face. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, his