Chapter 88: A Rift In Trust

The penthouse was unusually quiet as Lucas and Chloe sat at the dining table, their plates untouched. The tension between them was palpable, weighing heavily in the air like a dense fog. "What's wrong, Chloe?" Lucas finally broke the silence, his voice soft but tinged with concern. Chloe sighed, her gaze fixed on her plate. "It's just... I don't know if I can trust you anymore, Lucas." Lucas's heart sank at her words, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. "What do you mean?" Chloe looked up, her eyes filled with pain. "I saw the way you were talking to that woman at the charity gala last night. It looked like... like you were flirting with her." Lucas's brow furrowed in confusion. "Chloe, I swear, there was nothing going on between us. She's just a colleague." Chloe shook her head, her voice trembling with emotion. "I want to believe you, Lucas, but I can't shake this feeling that something isn't right." Lucas reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Chloe, I love