[10]

Leonel is always busy and uses his busyness as an excuse for coming home. Although he has occasionally come home early because his parents visited, he made time to eat at the dining table, where Chloe served him well, and he enjoyed the meals she cooked for the gathering. That was in the past. It was before Chloe had an accident.

There was nothing Leonel missed about those dinner moments because he felt he was merely fulfilling an obligation he didn't have to do. Compelled. Yes, that word accurately described his presence at the dinner table. Sometimes he would bring Chris to the gathering to cover up his excuse of being busy with multiple projects.

And now he was trapped in Chris Yanuardi's family dinner, where there was Chris's wife and their son, whom Leonel considered a younger brother. Since his arrival at Chris's house a few hours ago, he made time to accompany the young man to play basketball. There was a significant age difference between them. This was Chris's second marriage; they had just been blessed with a child.

While his previous wife passed away due to illness.

Leonel knew the details of Chris's married life closely because Yanuardi's closeness to Grisham was not just a client and his lawyer. One thing had always puzzled Leonel about Chris's concept of love and how he viewed women. The portrait of his first wife, Olivia Yanuardi, was still displayed in the living room. At the same time, the wedding portrait with his second wife was displayed side by side.

It was bizarre. Leonel thought so the first time he saw those portraits and even now.

"You're not eating much, Leonel. You look much thinner," Karen commented, the woman who was now Chris's wife. She had known Leonel since he was in college, and now she had become as prominent as her father's name.

"I agree with you, Honey." Chris finished chewing his food. "Maybe Leonel is consumed by his work and neglecting his meals."

Leonel chuckled at Chris's joke and continued enjoying the food on his plate. There was a different sensation with each bite he chewed and swallowed. It wasn't that the taste was unpleasant. For him, it reminded Leonel of the home food cooked by Chloe.

His memory drifted to a moment that felt suffocating when he recalled it.

"Just got home, Mas?" Chloe asked with a sweet smile as Leonel entered the living room area. Leonel only glanced briefly and nodded slightly. He continued walking towards the room on the second floor, where he knew his wife would follow without pause.

"Oh, by the way, I cooked Ayam Taliwang. Mama said it's Mas Leonel's favorite. I just learned how to make it. I hope you like it, Mas," she said from behind. Even though Leonel intentionally widened his steps, Chloe still followed. Leonel could hear the hesitation in her footsteps, indicating he was avoiding her too quickly.

"Would you like to eat or shower first, Mas?" Chloe asked, causing Leonel's movement toward his room to pause. He finally turned and stared intently at Chloe. The hope in her clear eyes was so high. And her radiant smile hadn't faded, even though her chest rose and fell from climbing the stairs to keep up with Leonel's steps.

"I've already had dinner, Chloe. And I feel like going to sleep," Leonel said, and just like the previous nights, the sparkle in his eyes dimmed. But quickly replaced with a nod of understanding.

"Okay, Mas. That's fine. I didn't know you had already eaten outside. I guess you didn't reply to my message. So I thought you wanted to eat at home." Chloe smiled widely. "Alright, have a good rest." And she walked away. She was heading to the room in front of her. Chloe's room.

Which had been separate from the beginning of their marriage. Leonel only visited the chocolate-colored door when necessary, which was rare. He chose to sleep in another bed rather than snuggle intimately with his wife. Chloe's response to Leonel was like a passing breeze. She didn't care about Chloe's exhaustion from preparing dinner, waiting for him to come home late at night, and tirelessly repeating the same routine.

Did that stir something in Leonel?

Not at all. He saw Chloe living a boring life, even though Leonel himself never restricted Chloe's activities outside. But it seemed that Chloe was not someone who enjoyed being outdoors. Her activities outside were limited to going to a cafe with Adrianna, buying new plants at the flower shop, or shopping for household necessities with Bi Rossa. That's it.

Monotonous and dull. Unlike his life, which was colorful because someone accompanied him daily in his busy schedule at the office. He also heard the crisp laughter that always led to a sigh, making Leonel think of nothing else but that woman. Ester Gisella.

However, sometimes in the middle of the night, when his stomach demanded to be filled, his feet would take him to the kitchen. He would enjoy Chloe's cooking, which he admitted was always delicious. It never failed to make him have seconds, even though it was late at night. And the taste became even more enjoyable when they had dinner with his parents.

"Hey," Chris greeted, as he had been observing Leonel playing with the edge of his spoon. "Are you daydreaming?"

Leonel blinked slowly, let out a short cough, and placed the spoon on the edge of the plate. He drank the water provided not far from his plate and finished it. "Daydreaming?" he asked, wiping off the remaining drops of water at the corner of his lips. "Isn't that a strange question?"

In response to that, Chris smiled understandingly. "Just eat more. You do look much thinner than before. It seems like your wife can no longer take care of you."

Leonel paused momentarily, but then a smirk appeared on his face. "You're right. That's why I'm here. But you know, don't you? I'm busy."

Chris laughed. "As busy as you are, you found time to visit me?"

"Enough, dear. Don't tease Leonel anymore. It seems like you both need to talk," Karen intervened in their casual conversation, which was met with laughter, including Dennis, who admired Leonel. The young man had set Leonel Grisham as his role model of a true man.

"You're right, dear," Chris agreed once again. "Let's talk in my office."

"I hope your cholesterol is under control," Leonel joked, following Chris's steps as he exited the dining table. "Ah, Mrs. Karen, thank you. Dinner tonight was delicious."

Karen chuckled and gently patted Leonel's shoulder, allowing them to leave the dining table as she tidied up the unused plates.

"So... what's the matter?" Chris asked after they sat comfortably on the sofa in Chris's office. He was not in the best health condition, reducing his activities outside for the past few days. But Leonel's visit couldn't be taken lightly, even though the man still dressed impeccably. There must be something important that Leonel wanted to discuss.

"You're not too well yet. I came to visit, not to pour out my heart," Leonel said with a slight chuckle.

"Is that so?" Chris doubted. "Yesterday, your father talked to me."

Leonel's relaxed posture suddenly straightened upon hearing those words. "Why did you entertain him? You're sick," he grumbled, displeased.

"I'm sick, but I can still digest everything said," Chris replied calmly. "Besides, it's been a while since I heard your father's complaints."

"About...?" Leonel's brow furrowed. "Did Papa complain about Chloe?" he asked, but the question was also directed at himself. He thought for a moment about his father's presence last night. It didn't seem wrong that his father complained about his beloved daughter-in-law. A victorious grin emerged unnoticed in the corner of his lips. At least if his father sided with him, the divorce wouldn't become a drama.

"No." Chris leaned back again. "On the contrary, your father supports what Tisaa is doing."

The smile on Leonel's face suddenly vanished.

"And... if you intend to divorce Chloe in the future, it's true that Chloe is bringing Ester into your house. She taught many things to fit into the extended Grisham family. You are Grisham. You know exactly what your family is like, don't you?"

***

Agatha smiled widely in response to the compliments Chloe gave. Agatha would gladly share it like this if her eyes could see her happy expression now. The casual conversation they had in the garden was lively. They talked about various things, especially the progress of Chloe's therapy. Agatha was grateful that Dr. Darren, who was handling Chloe, was very competent. It was evident that Chloe admitted to experiencing gradual changes, and her psychological condition was improving.

However, Agatha admitted that she still felt something strange about Chloe.

"Mom," Agatha called after discussing the new arrangement in the garden of her daughter's house.

"Yes, Mom?" Chloe always showed love and respect towards Agatha. She repeatedly apologized for the dinner, which might have left many questions in Agatha's mind. "What's wrong? Why do you look lost?"

Agatha smiled thinly. "Mom doesn't mind about the dinner."

Ah, Chloe was reminded of last night's events. The uncomfortable feeling in her heart hadn't completely disappeared. Chloe felt that she also had to apologize directly to her father-in-law. "Once again, forgive me, Mom," Chloe said, bowing her head. She took a long breath, knowing she wouldn't be easily forgiven. But she had to do this as part of her plan.

"No, no. You've apologized several times, and each time Mom said it's not a big deal."

Chloe furrowed her brow. She raised her face, although she couldn't see her mother-in-law's face. "But Chloe still feels guilty, Mom."

Agatha smiled, gently stroking Chloe's cheek with affection. "It's Mom who should apologize."

"Yes?"

"Because your child feels so hurt," Agatha said with a melancholy tone. "Last night, your father was angry with Leonel. How could he play with the marriage when we thought you both were fine?"

Chloe fell silent.

"Since when actually?"

Chloe knew where that question was leading. If she remembered the day when she finally found out why Leonel always acted cold towards her, feelings of anger and disgust overwhelmed her, but Chloe eventually realized that she could do nothing except continue what had already begun. Blur the painful reality with a broad smile that she thought could protect her for a long time.

But a woman's patience also had its limits, right?

"Mom supports you bringing Ester into the Grisham family."

Chloe's frown deepened.

"Just like you said..." Agatha's smile became more meaningful. Finally, she understood why Chloe did something so crazy. "Who deserves to be in the Grisham family the most."

Chloe's smile began to widen. "Thank you, Mom."

"You're strong, and Mom will always be behind you, dear." Once again, Agatha gently caressed Chloe's cheek because she knew the meaning of guarding and protecting precisely as she had promised to Chloe's parents before.