Chapter 6 — Something That Doesn't Let Go
Chloe didn't let go.
Not once.
Even after she fell asleep again—
her hand remained tightly wrapped around Millar's.
As if the moment she loosened her grip—
he would disappear.
Millar sat there, unmoving.
"…You really mean it, huh…"
He tried to pull his hand back slightly.
Her fingers tightened instantly.
Even in sleep.
"…Seriously?"
He stared at her.
A little surprised.
A little… unsettled.
This wasn't normal.
But then again—
nothing about this situation was.
"…Fine."
He leaned back into the chair.
Letting her hold him.
Just for now.
The next few days passed quickly.
Chloe recovered faster than expected.
Her condition stabilized.
Her strength returned.
But one thing—
never changed.
"Millar."
Her voice followed him everywhere.
"I'm here."
If he stood up—
she noticed.
"If you're going somewhere, tell me."
If he stepped away—
even for a moment—
"Where are you going?"
And if he didn't answer fast enough—
"…You're not leaving, right?"
Her tone stayed calm.
Soft.
But underneath—
something else lingered.
Something that watched.
Something that held on.
Millar started noticing it more clearly now.
This wasn't just attachment.
It was… dependence.
No—
more than that.
"…Chloe," he said one afternoon.
She looked up immediately.
"Yes?"
Too fast.
"I'm just going to take a call."
"…Here?"
"…Outside."
A pause.
A small one.
But enough.
"…I'll come with you."
Millar frowned.
"It's just a call."
"I know."
She stood up anyway.
"I'll still come."
Silence.
Millar stared at her.
And for the first time—
he clearly saw it.
This wasn't something light.
This wasn't something that would pass.
This was…
growing.
"…No," he said firmly.
Chloe stopped.
That word—
was new.
"…Why?"
Her voice didn't change.
Still calm.
Still gentle.
But her eyes—
slightly darker.
"It's unnecessary."
"I don't think so."
Another step forward.
"I want to be with you."
Millar exhaled slowly.
"…Chloe."
A warning.
But she didn't step back.
Instead—
she smiled faintly.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't leave?"
That line—
again.
Millar's expression hardened slightly.
"That doesn't mean I'll be next to you every second."
Silence.
A long one.
Chloe stared at him.
Unmoving.
Then—
very slowly—
"…I see."
Her voice softened again.
Back to normal.
"I understand."
She stepped back.
Sat down.
As if nothing happened.
"…Go ahead."
Millar hesitated for a moment.
Something felt wrong.
But—
"…I'll be back soon."
He left the room.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Chloe sat still.
Completely still.
Her expression—
empty.
For a few seconds.
Then—
Her fingers slowly curled into the bedsheet.
Tighter.
And tighter.
He said no.
The thought echoed.
Soft.
But sharp.
He refused me.
Her breathing remained steady.
But her grip—
tightened further.
…That's okay.
Her lips curved slightly.
A faint smile.
He just doesn't understand yet.
Her gaze shifted toward the door.
Unblinking.
I'll make him understand.
Not through force.
Not through anger.
But slowly.
Gently.
Until—
He wouldn't even think about leaving.
Outside—
Millar stood in the hallway.
His phone still in his hand.
But his mind—
was elsewhere.
"…This is getting bad."
He knew it now.
Clearly.
He changed the story.
And this—
was the result.
A Chloe who didn't lose him.
A Chloe who chose him.
Completely.
Too completely.
"…What kind of ending is this going to be…"