Chapter 17 After giving the dispatcher the details and location , I put my phone on silent and went back to sleep . [ ] When I woke up , I saw that Liam had called me over a dozen times and sent me dozens of messages . [ ] They started with shock that I had actually called the police , then progressed to angry accusations of me being cold - blooded , caring only about money and not about feelings . Finally , they ended with a desperate plea , asking me why I was doing this to him . ] He had only made a small mistake that anyone could make , he hadn't actually betrayed me , so why was I being so heartless ? [ ] Before I could finish reading , his call came through again . [ ] I was going to decline it . ] But then I thought , even if I hung up now , he would probably keep bothering me until things were settled . [ ] So , I answered . ] His voice was hoarse and a little subdued . [ ] " Claire , I've thought it over . " [ ] " I admit it , you win . I can't live without you . " [ ] " Half the shares are yours . Half my assets , too . Just come back . " ] I raised an eyebrow and glanced at the time . [ ] It was the fifth day . " Sorry , your three days are up . " [ ] " I've changed my mind . " " Claire , you- " ] Liam started to say something but broke into a violent coughing fit . [ ] After a while , the coughing subsided . ] His voice was raspy , " How did you become like this ? " ] I smiled but didn't say anything [ ] He used to be the same way , always docking my bonuses and salary , or giving my projects to Hannah because I had missed his deadlines . ] I was just treating him the way he used to treat me . ] Chapter 17 Turns out , you don't know how much a needle hurts until it's sticking in your own skin . [ ] He seemed to understand my intention , and finally realized that I wasn't after his money . [ ] He let out a self - deprecating , bitter laugh . [ ] " Claire … I don't even recognize you anymore . " [ ] Then he started coughing violently again , his breathing heavy and pained . [ ] I was about to ask what was wrong , but I was afraid he would mistake it for concern . [ ] After a moment , I decided not to say anything . [ ] But as if he knew what I was thinking , he muttered to himself . [ ] "I have a fever . " ] " Claire , I'm at our old house . I bought it back a little while ago . " ] " I wanted to know … when you had a fever and I wasn't there … did you feel as miserable as I do right now ? " [ ] I didn't answer . He continued , " The drawings you made for me … they're all gone . I've looked everywhere in the house and I can't find them " [ ] " Claire , did you put them away somewhere ? " [ ] " Or … did you throw them out ? " ] He babbled on like a child . ] His voice trembled . ] And his tone grew more and more pitiful . [ ] I could hear rustling on the other end , as if he were rummaging through things . I sighed . " I burned them all . " ] O ய In "CEO, That Intern is Actually Your Wife" by CrushReel, delve into a captivating romance where a billionaire CEO becomes contractually linked to an unexpected partner. When faced with the urgent need to fund her grandmother's critical surgery, our protagonist finds herself in a unique situation—entering a one-year contract marriage with a stranger. As the story unfolds, themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of modern relationships come to light. The novel offers a fresh take on the familiar billionaire romance genre by exploring the dynamics of office relationships and the intricacies of contract lovers. Discover this modern tale of unexpected connections and heartfelt emotions, available to read at CrushReel.