[55]
Chloe sat quietly, though her heart felt slightly intimidated and intimidated in this room. It was a room she rarely visited because it belonged to her parents-in-law. In normal circumstances, neither Mama Agatha nor Papa Robby would see or stay in this house. Chloe lived here with Leonel, Rossa, and several others who helped manage this luxurious house.
Since the accident, Agatha always accompanied Chloe during the day but left her with many appointments. It wasn’t a problem because Chloe’s early days after the accident were also gloomy. This workspace belonged to Leonel, but since Robby also stayed here, it became a place where they discussed various business matters.
Matters that Chloe rarely interfered with.
“How are you, Sa?” Robby asked after a while of silence, sensing a unique code from his wife. Postponing this conversation, which they both agreed was necessary, could have been a better sign.
“I’m fine, Pa. I hope Papa and Mama are doing well too.”
“Thank goodness for that. Papa is relieved to hear that. Your therapy is still ongoing, right?”
“Yes, it is. I also just came home this afternoon. The results are encouraging, Pa, Ma,” Chloe said softly. “If I may ask, why was Chloe summoned here? There must be something severe.”
“That’s correct,” Robby said with a chuckle. “But Papa hopes you approach it from various angles, especially regarding the matter concerning Leonel at the moment.”
Chloe realized a time would come when either Robby or Agatha would bring up the issues affecting them all. Peni, her assistant who accompanied her daily, read a lot of news to her-sometimes accompanied by grumbling and frustration from Peni’s lips, which Chloe responded to with a smile or even laughter. Because, in her opinion, most of the news attacked and exaggerated things.
“Yes, Pa.” That was Chloe’s only response. She also prepared herself to listen to what her father-in-law would say and braced herself for the discussion they were about to have. Even Agatha’s words still lingered in her mind. Postponing the divorce would save her child’s reputation. Then what was she considered after enduring so much pain inflicted by Leonel? His apologies were merely empty words. She never indeed saw her husband’s efforts to make amends. Instead, it convinced Chloe that divorcing Leonel was the best option.
And now there were stumbling blocks right in front of her as if God was showing that Leonel had been lying to her too much.
“Mama has talked to Papa about your divorce. Can’t you follow Mama’s advice? At least postpone it until this issue calms down?”
“No, Pa.”
“Aren’t you afraid that the divorce will only lead to more problems? Especially if it becomes public and more people accuse Leonel and validate the rumors? Papa heard from Leonel that he wanted to change. Meeting Ester in Cattle Village could have been more intentional. Can’t you give him a chance?”
Chloe fell silent but eventually smiled. She glanced randomly and then spoke again, “Do there have to be news like this first, Pa, for Leonel to consider redeeming himself? And because of this news, I, who Leonel has hurt without permission, must be his shield? Meanwhile, being close to Leonel now only intensifies my hatred for him. I’m afraid that my lips can no longer contain the emotions stirred up by Leonel himself.”
Robby was taken aback, while Agatha looked furious hearing her daughter-in-law’s words.
“You should think about it, Sa; what are our requests? Mama doesn’t think they’re difficult. Okay, we agree to your divorce. It’s not a problem. Just postpone it until this news settles down. Or could you be the mastermind behind all of this? You freely go in and out without us knowing who you meet. You could have met someone else who becomes Leonel’s business rival and destroys him.” Agatha spoke passionately. She didn’t know why her mind was suddenly filled with such accusations. Robby’s eyes widened in disbelief as he heard those words flow so easily from Agatha’s mouth.
Meanwhile, Chloe felt the same way. Her eyes blinked in confusion at the accusation, but then she dismissed it and replaced it with a meaningful smile. “So… is that how much I’m worth in Mama’s eyes?”
“Well, what else? You can’t retaliate against Leonel directly, so maybe you’re satisfied seeing the chaos causing him to lose so much.”
“I don’t care, Ma, about your accusations. Or if Papa strengthens those suspicions. It’s up to you. But one thing Mama and Papa need to know, after five years of living with Leonel, some of the people I know who became his clients, and the wealth he showered upon me, I should have exposed their affair long ago. But I still thought about your feelings. My in-laws, whom I respect and honor. The ones I loved as if they were my deceased parents. What would happen to both of you if I were the one who exposed my husband’s affair?”
Chloe spoke calmly, trying to maintain her composure.
“Unfortunately, I’m the one who gets accused again.” She stood up. “Enough, Pa. Please assume this problem and its connection to me, blame me, and if necessary, make me the most at fault among Leonel’s problems.” Chloe smiled again. “I’m just an outsider, a wealthy descendant’s daughter-in-law whose parents defend their son in every way without thinking. But this person who is hurt also has a heart.”
***
Chris didn’t expect that Chloe’s visit today was to discuss expediting their divorce proceedings. Even when the news was mentioned, Chloe seemed unconcerned.
“My wish is simple, Mr. Chris,” Chloe said with a smile, but the smile was filled with pain and disappointment. Chris slightly understood why the beautiful woman in the maroon dress looked disappointed.
“Alright, Mrs. Chloe, if that’s what you want.”
“I want to get out of this drama, sir. Please understand. I have also spoken to Mama Agatha and Papa Robby. I hope they can understand my wishes.”
“It might be difficult for them to understand the current situation, but you should also know Mr. Leonel is trying to mend his relationship with you. It doesn’t matter to me, even if you don’t want to see that effort anymore. This separation may be for the best.
Chloe’s smile grew wider. “Thank you for understanding.”
“What are your plans for the future?” Chris asked with a curious look. Their communication had always been casual. They never had intense conversations, but it was enough for Chris to know Chloe’s capacity. He also felt sorry for this kind-hearted woman. He condemned Leonel’s actions, who couldn’t even see Chloe momentarily. And if this woman now demanded a divorce, it was no longer surprising.
“I don’t know yet, sir. I still want to focus on my recovery.”
“I think that should be your priority, Mrs. Chloe.”
Chloe didn’t say much after that. She bid farewell because she felt there was nothing more to discuss. Everything Chloe wanted had been said, and Chris was already aware of their issues. She also used her disability to expedite their divorce process. She honestly didn’t care about herself as long as she could soon be out of the Grisham family.
She had also asked the people who used to work at her grandmother’s house to come back and tidy up her old home. Living there was a temporary choice until she could resume her usual activities. According to Darren, Chloe’s recovery was progressing quite quickly and significantly during her therapy session yesterday. She could now see more than just light, albeit blurry; silhouettes were starting to form. It didn’t matter; it was already the most impressive progress for Chloe.
“It seems like you’re very certain about this?” Peni asked as she accompanied Chloe from Chris’s room, mostly made of glass walls. The room’s interior was black and gray but looked elegant and classy.
“I am certain, Peni. I have made my decision. Besides, what would you do if you were in my shoes?”
“Well, yeah, Ma’am. It’s better to separate. It’s heartbreaking. Especially when you know that sorry, Ma, but the person Mr. had an affair with is like that.”
“What do you mean?” Chloe asked, intrigued by Peni’s perspective on Ester.
“Well, Mrs. Ester is beautiful, I admit that, and Rossa too. But beauty is not just about looks, right, Mrs.? It’s also about how they behave, which makes us feel a certain way.”
Chloe smiled. “Let it be then. I want to close the chapter with both of them.” She said what she doubted. Not because her heart still held a trace of love, but with this incident and the interconnectedness of many things, she was afraid that she would waver in her decision. So, before everything fell apart and became even messier, she had to execute it quickly. Even her suitcases containing her belongings were partially ready to be moved.
“After this, I hope you can find your happiness again, Mrs. Chloe.”
Chloe pondered Peni’s words for a while. It was a prayer, but she wasn’t sure if she would ever find her happiness again. Chloe felt that all the enjoyable things had disappeared without a trace. She had entrusted everything to the wrong person, it turned out. She wanted to reclaim it, but it would never be whole again, just like trying to erase ink stains on clean white paper-they would still leave traces.
Not long after Chloe sat in the car, her phone rang. Assisted by Peni and her assistant, Chloe’s smile widened. It was Darren.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you, Chloe,” he said on the other end.
“No, not at all.” Chloe adjusted her seat, asking the driver to take her to a destination she had wanted to visit but had canceled before. This time, without any disturbance, she, who had missed the place so much, asked the driver to retake her.
“Oh, are you on the road?”
“Yes, I just finished something.”
“Alright. I’ll call you later, Chloe.”
“No, don’t hesitate. What’s the matter?”
“It’s about my offer for next week. You haven’t answered yet.”
Chloe blinked slowly but then chuckled. She had just remembered what Darren had asked for. Dinner together. “Oh my, I almost forgot about your offer. I have a lot on my plate, Darren. Can we postpone it? Maybe two or three weeks?”
“Ah, alright. I forgot that you’re quite busy. Forgive me. I got carried away because there’s a lot I want to discuss with you, especially regarding your plans to open a shop. I was too enthusiastic.”
“Don’t let your enthusiasm for helping me dwindle, Darren. I’ll need your assistance later.”
“Whenever you need me, I’m always ready, Chloe. That’s why I want more time to talk with you.”
“But you’re also busy with your work, right?”
“It can be arranged for you.”
Chloe chuckled, sounding crisp. “Don’t sacrifice too much for me, Darren. You still have to fulfill your dreams. You told me about them.”
“Yes.” Darren laughed. “Alright. I’ll wait for your news when you’re free.”
“Thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you for being willing to be friends with me, Chloe. I rarely have someone so fun to talk to and exchange ideas with.”
“You’re good at charming, it seems. I hope not many nurses fall for the charms of Dr. Darren.”
There, Darren successfully laughed. “I hope my special patient falls for my charm.”
Chloe didn’t respond to Darren’s last statement. Their conversation also shifted to lighter topics, including Chloe’s condition earlier in the morning. The woman didn’t want to discuss what she was currently feeling. Although Darren might know what was happening with Leonel as Chloe’s husband, he didn’t ask a single word about the rumors. Chloe was grateful for this. Until the phone call ended, leaving Chloe with a sense of happiness, she could hold amidst the chaos that still enveloped her.
“Ma’am,” called Peni with a worried tone. “Sorry to disturb you.”
“What is it, Peni? I’m done with the call.”
“Mr. Robby informed me that Mrs. Agatha was admitted to the hospital. She fainted during an important meeting this afternoon.”
“What?” Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise. “Mr. Robby, change direction. Let’s go to the hospital.”
“Alright, Ma’am.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
Peni immediately provided the hospital address that Robby had mentioned in the message. But before that, she first opened the link that Robby sent. Robby asked Peni to read today’s news to Chloe and begged her daughter-in-law to reconsider their divorce.
Ester Gisela’s side held a press conference regarding her involvement in the affair scandal with the successful entrepreneur Leonel Grisham. Would this answer the widespread speculation? Or would it prove that a Leonel Grisham could abandon his temporarily blind and pregnant wife for a model?
Intimate photos of Ester with Leonel, spending time at one of the tourist spots in Bali, were circulating.
Leonel’s refusal to apologize to the Layson Group further fueled the polemic crisis currently engulfing Mountain Pte.
Mountain Pte’s stock dropped by 10% since the affair scandal surfaced.
Equally beautiful, Leonel Grisham’s wife appeared classy at the celebration party that ended in a brawl. Many witnesses claimed that Leonel acted recklessly without thinking.
“Um… Ma’am,” Peni called with a very hesitant heart. She was afraid that once she read all the news on her phone, the smile on Chloe’s face would immediately vanish. After accompanying Chloe for almost eight months, she understood what this woman was feeling to some extent.
“What is it, Pen? Is there more news from Mr. Robby? How is Mama?”
Indeed, Chloe’s mother-in-law was very kind to her. But Leonel? Peni needed clarification.
“There’s nothing, Ma’am. We should pray together for Mrs. Agatha’s well-being.
“Yes, Peni. You’re right. Even though I have problems with Leonel, I still love Mama Agatha and Mr. Robby.”
It’s okay for Peni to lie this time. Her sympathy for Chloe grew even more vital. This woman beside her had to find her happiness out there.