[5]

This was the first time that Leonel Grisham acted out of control. He felt anxious as he drove his shiny black sedan toward the hospital. He couldn't accept Chloe taking advantage of his vulnerability to have fun. No wonder she was so happy every time her therapy sessions came. Something was causing her excitement.

"Damn it!" he cursed once again. This time his hand hit the middle of the steering wheel, making the horn honk loudly. His frustration grew as the traffic jam further slowed him down. He counted; Chloe's departure this morning had been too long for a therapy session. And what he heard? Chloe was going too far!

As he saw the hospital building in sight, he increased his speed. He even considered ramming through the parking barrier to catch up with Chloe faster. He got out of the car and half ran towards the hospital lobby. His objective was to check the therapy schedule and the patients visiting there.

"I'm sorry, sir," one of the attending nurses said. "The therapy session with Dr. Darren and the patient named Mrs. Chloe Delilah ended half an hour ago."

He wanted to slam the information desk immediately but restrained himself with all his might. He didn't want to cause a scene here just because of Chloe. "Alright. Thank you for the information," he mumbled, running his fingers through his thick hair. His shirt was slightly untucked from his waistband. He released a hint of frustration due to his strange behavior throughout the day.

He tried calling Chloe again, but there was no response, just like before. Call Adrianna. No way! He wouldn't do that again. "Excuse me, miss, may I ask? Is there a café around the hospital?"

"Oh, yes, Sir. On the right wing. Just follow the corridor in front, then turn right and slightly exit the parking area."

"Thank you," Leonel said once again. Why did he ask about a café around here? Leonel couldn't figure it out but quickly followed the directions. It seemed like he was almost running again until his eyes found what he was looking for.

Chloe. Strolling with her cane and next to her was Adrianna, who appeared to be talking with a joyful face. His hand clenched at the sight of their happiness. Didn't Adrianna know that Chloe was still his wife? And here she was, accompanied by another man? What kind of friend was Adrianna? Leonel needed to reconsider granting permission for Chloe to be close to Adrianna. That woman had a negative influence.

His stride widened without caring about the exclamation that came out simultaneously from Chloe and Adrianna.

"What's wrong with you, Leonel?" Adrianna asked, glaring at him. Did Leonel care? No. His eyes were focused on Chloe next to her. His firm grip on the woman's arm caused a painful crease on his forehead. But her face quickly displayed a neutral expression as if nothing had happened.

Wearing thick-framed glasses made many people overlook the changes Chloe now had, but Oh God, if only Leonel could clearly express why he saw Chloe from a different angle now. His wife looked more natural and adorable. Unbelievable.

"Let's go home," Leonel said. He gently brushed away Adrianna's hand that tried to reach Chloe's free hand. "Chloe is coming home with me. I'm her husband." The word 'husband' in his statement was emphasized. He couldn't believe he was doing this.

Adrianna was stunned, displeased. "Are you... bumping into something?"

Leonel didn't want to entertain her. Among the three, there was a doctor he knew previously, although they rarely spoke directly. "For the next therapy session, I will accompany Chloe, Doctor," Leonel said, looking at the man firmly. "I need to know the progress of my wife under your care. Whether she's making progress or just stagnating."

"Please, Sir. I'll be waiting two days from now. It's Mrs. Chloe's therapy schedule," Darren said with a small smile.

Leonel nodded briefly and then gently pulled Chloe, who hadn't said anything the whole time. She seemed unfazed by the intimidation he was giving her. The grip loosened as they distanced themselves from the café that was getting farther away. Nonetheless, Leonel paid close attention to Chloe's steps to ensure she didn't stumble or encounter any obstacles. The cane in his wife's grasp had now switched to his own.

"What do you want here?" Chloe asked softly but was heard by Leonel just as they both arrived next to the car.

"To pick you up. What else?"

Chloe slightly pursed her lips. "Adrianna was right. Did you bump into something?"

"I'm fine. Why would I bump into anything while picking up my wife?" Leonel chuckled. He opened the door for Chloe and gently pushed her to enter, ensuring she didn't bump the door frame. He also fastened her seatbelt. Throughout their marriage, Leonel had never done this for Chloe before. But now? Please don't keep asking Leonel because he doesn't understand his actions. His body moved on its own. His heart couldn't accept hearing that someone else was enjoying Chloe's laughter. And he didn't even know what they talked about at the café.

Can thirty minutes change everything?

Chloe herself didn't expect Leonel to come for her. She ignored his calls since she didn't think there was anything to discuss. Penny would inform her about the progress of her therapy. So why was Leonel bothering to pick her up? Acting so sweet?

She grinned dismissively. If it were the old Chloe Delilah seven months ago, she might have been deeply moved by her husband's long-awaited gestures. But now? When her heart was already numb? It was all in vain. Chloe chose to sit calmly, unaffected by the traffic congestion. The blaring horns and the sound of engines moving slowly could be heard.

Silence crept between them. Even the soft music playing couldn't make Chloe speak. Several times, Leonel glanced at Chloe, who seemed relaxed, leaning back. Unperturbed at all. As for himself? He wanted to ask so many things, but they all got stuck on the tip of his tongue. Especially concerning Chloe's relationship with Dr. Darren. What had she been through lately?

"Do you want to eat something?" Leonel broke the silence.

"No. I'm used to eating at home. If you want to eat out, go ahead. Drop me somewhere safe and ask the driver to pick me up."

"I didn't say that, Chloe. We'll go home if you don't want to eat out."

Chloe turned her head. If only she could see, she would like to look into her husband's face after he just said something odd to her. Was he inviting her to eat? Ha!

"Or..." Leonel deliberately left his statement hanging. Hoping to see a change in Chloe's expression, but what he hoped for didn't appear. Chloe just stared at him, waiting for the continuation of his words. Luckily, in the current traffic jam, Leonel could indulge himself in gazing at Chloe. Who, for some reason, he found incredibly captivating.

In their five years of marriage, Leonel had only occasionally intensely looked at Chloe, especially when he exerted his power over his wife's body. Demanding the rights he felt entitled to as a replacement because Ester wasn't there. It didn't sound warm-hearted, but that's what happened.

"I want to go home. The therapy session was exhausting enough," Chloe said promptly. She also turned her face away from Leonel, paying no attention to his words that seemed mysterious.

Leonel blinked slowly. Initially, he wanted to take Chloe to visit his mother in Menteng, but he seemed to have to set that aside due to his wife's recent reasoning. "Alright."

Their journey continued with the traffic as their loyal companion. Along with the occasional buzzing of Leonel's phone, mostly from Deborah. The work instructions he directed were enough to furrow Chloe's brow. The man was busy, but why did he come to the hospital? What was he planning? It was so strange.

She didn't need any attention from Leonel. Why would she? She didn't need it anymore. She had already given him what he wanted, even though she wanted to play around with Ester first. Chloe never quickly relinquished her status as a Grisham family member. Not because of wealth, no. Not at all. She wouldn't suddenly become poor if she had to leave the Grisham house. The inheritance from her parents was enough to support her life. Her grandparents' house was still well-maintained and could be a decent place for her. She could continue and manage her mother's bakery.

Chloe wanted the two of them, Ester and Leonel, to know the pain she felt because of betrayal. Her tears had dried up, and she had no intention of crying anymore. Her mind focused solely on how they could piece everything together, even with their shared suffering and tears.

However, there was one thing bothering her. This time, Leonel waited to answer the phone. Instead, the ringing became more intense, and it seemed like Leonel had changed his phone setting to vibrate. Chloe could still clearly hear the buzzing.

"Just answer it. Pull over the car. Don't endanger yourself like I did back then," Chloe said.

Leonel did that; he pulled the car over, even though their sudden movement drew curses from other vehicles due to their haste. The blaring honk from the left side didn't matter because Leonel suddenly wanted to ask about that incident.

"Were you playing with your phone while driving?" Leonel asked. His gaze was sharp, directed at Chloe. Although she couldn't see it, he was sure his wife knew he was angry. How could Chloe drive so recklessly at that time?

"Yes," Chloe replied.

Leonel was stunned. He couldn't believe what Chloe had just said. Meanwhile, guilt was consuming him because it was his fault that Chloe had the accident. Perhaps his wife saw how intimate he was with Ester in his office. But oh God! It was pointless for him to worry about Chloe's condition like this.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly. His jaw clenched. And he spoke again, this time filled with intimidation. "When will you act like an adult, Chloe? Playing with your phone while driving is dangerous!" he scolded.

"It's already happened," Chloe turned to look at him. Was she trembling? Not at all. "The phone I had, I used it responsibly. I contacted someone I could share with because I just witnessed something disgusting."

Leonel fell silent.

"Perhaps God is being kind, dear Sir. God temporarily took away my sight so that my heart could find peace. Unlike the years, I felt like I was trapped in a circle of hell. Slowly burning me away without a trace," Chloe grinned. "And now, ironically, I feel alive. Not like a few months ago, when I felt already dead."