[7]

Chloe was tired of rejecting Leonel's help this time. According to her, it was unnecessary. Although her eyes could only perceive points of light, she had gotten used to her cane. And again, Peni greeted them as they got out of the car. But Leonel seemed to have collided with her quite hard, causing him to drive Peni away and forcing Chloe to walk beside him.

"Smile, Chloe. Don't you want to greet Mama with a smile?" Leonel whispered momentarily as their steps descended a few stairs towards the spacious living room. Leonel's parents were already there to welcome them. This information surprised Chloe.

She turned and furrowed her brows slightly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Leonel chuckled just from seeing how innocent and silly his wife's face was. "Uh... let's just say I forgot."

Chloe sighed, then started to erase the stiffness from her face. It was replaced by a wide, joyful smile, especially when she heard the soft voice of the woman she called 'Mama.' Leonel was somewhat surprised by Chloe's transformation this evening. How could her expression change so quickly? But he would ask her about it later. Leonel had been bothered since he heard Chloe's words when their car stopped.

"Mama is so happy to hear that Leonel accompanied you to therapy." Agatha immediately embraced Chloe, examining her beloved daughter-in-law's face and smiling again because Chloe hadn't erased the happiness from her face.

"Leonel didn't accompany me, Ma." Chloe followed Agatha's lead. "He picked me up, to be precise. I didn't expect Mas Leonel to be so attentive."

Agatha was truly grateful this time. Perhaps her son had been changing day by day. Especially seeing Chloe's condition now, her hopes as a parent could be fulfilled soon. No, Agatha didn't demand too much, like having grandchildren quickly, because she could also see the state of her son's marriage. There was a sense of pity for Chloe, but Agatha didn't show it too much.

As a mother, Agatha tried to do her best. Chloe's parents had been gone for a long time, and she lived with her grandparents, who shared many stories about Chloe with Agatha. She had criteria for a good woman who could match Leonel, but unfortunately, Leonel was difficult. Her son often acted coldly toward Chloe, even though her daughter-in-law didn't speak about Leonel's shortcomings. But as a mother, Agatha could read it.

"That's good," Robby Grisham spoke up. The middle-aged man, still neatly dressed, smiled happily. "Leonel needs to pause his meetings once in a while."

The person who was the center of the conversation chuckled. "Then Leonel will accompany Chloe more often. Well, some of the tenders might get delayed."

Robby shook his head while patting his son's shoulder. "You, always like this." But there was one thing that caught Robby's attention this time. Throughout his son's marriage, he had never seen Leonel show this much attention to Chloe. Even when she sat down, he assisted her while Chloe stayed beside her mother. It was as if he didn't want to miss showing his care.

Robby hoped it wasn't an act. So what he did was observe his son closely. Was it sincere? Or just out of pity?

"Thank you," Chloe said softly. She knew Leonel was playing his role. So was Chloe. She wouldn't miss getting caught up in the game they created. If only her vision had returned, she wouldn't have misjudged Leonel as a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Leonel, just a moment. Change your clothes first." After ensuring his wife was comfortably seated, he hurriedly went upstairs to his room. There was a smile that involuntarily appeared on his lips and a feeling of joy, even though when he replayed Chloe's words in his head, there was a deep frustration. When he reached the top of the stairs, he thought, why was he like this?

"Enough, forget it," he chuckled, then continued his steps towards his room.

Meanwhile, Agatha occasionally inquired about Chloe's progress during therapy. She was thrilled with her daughter-in-law's improvement. Her smile also looked brighter, unlike the days before. "Mama is so happy to hear your stories, dear."

"Yes, Ma. Thank you so much. It's also thanks to Mama's support."

They held each other's hands. Chloe herself felt incredibly fortunate to have in-laws like Agatha Theodore. She was accepted warmly into the large Grisham family, which she knew to be quite conservative.

"Chloe," Agatha called softly, her eyes looking at Robby as if implying a request. Robby left it to Agatha, feeling that the conversation should be settled among women. Robby only disliked Chloe's decision to have Leonel marry Ester.

Robby was beyond irritated but tried to contain his anger when his daughter-in-law made that request. From the beginning, Robby disliked Ester. No matter what the beautiful woman did, she couldn't melt Robby's heart. It wasn't because of her profession; no, Robby never had an issue with her being a model. Perhaps Robby Grisham's firm principles made him reject Ester's presence in the Grisham family.

But Chloe was asking for the woman to be included instead.

It truly made Robby dizzy.

"Yes, Ma?" Chloe turned her face towards Agatha, who was seated next to her. "What is it?"

"Mama can't comprehend your wish, dear."

Chloe knew where this conversation was heading. "But Chloe made a clear decision when she chose that."

Agatha sighed softly. "From the beginning, Mama and Papa never agreed that Leonel should be with that woman, Chloe."

"Yes, Chloe knows. If Mama and Papa had approved of them, then from the beginning, Leonel would have married Ester. Not me."

A small crease formed on Agatha's lips, along with a sense of guilt for her son's marriage not bearing sweet fruit. But deep down, Agatha agreed with her husband. She didn't quite like Ester for some unknown reason. Although they had found some compatibility in certain aspects, Agatha couldn't understand. Perhaps it was because a mother's intuition differed when discussing family, especially her only son.

"Mama, don't worry. Five years with Leonel, with the extraordinary Grisham family, have given Chloe many experiences."

"What do you mean?" Agatha quickly interrupted her daughter-in-law's words. A sudden worry arose upon hearing Chloe's statement. Agatha couldn't imagine if something had happened to their marriage. Although her daughter-in-law was struggling due to her eye condition, Agatha never considered it a significant issue.

Chloe smiled meaningfully. "Chloe knows what Chloe decided, Ma. Besides, let Ester learn to be Mama's second daughter-in-law."

Agatha fell silent, looking confused at Chloe, whose thought process she couldn't comprehend. Agatha still believed that her daughter-in-law was facing a crisis of confidence. Even before the accident, Chloe had often been neglected by Leonel. What about now? Agatha clenched her fists tightly. She tugged at her knee-length blouse, leaving creases behind.

"In any case, Chloe will make sure Ester learns within the Grisham family." Chloe emphasized "learn" in her speech, hoping her mother-in-law would understand.

Deep within Chloe's heart, she felt sadness in making this decision. Oh, not about allowing Ester to enter this luxurious house. No, that was part of her revenge. But the divorce she requested from Leonel was the source of her sadness. Chloe admitted that she loved Leonel. Who wouldn't be captivated by his handsome face? Love blossomed strongly in Chloe's heart despite their brief and cold conversations.

She let many things happen between Leonel and his affair. She closed her eyes. Chloe forgave silently, constantly trying without relenting to grab Leonel's attention. Her wish was simple: to have a harmonious and loving marriage. Maybe not this year, but there were still years ahead. That's how Chloe envisioned her married life.

But fate had pushed Chloe to her limit.

Her heartache had become too severe.

And she would exact revenge, bit by bit, until her remaining time ended here. Before she officially divorced him. And she hoped that both her mother- and father-in-law understood why she took this path.

***[]***

His body felt refreshed after being drenched with water from the shower in his bathroom. Still wearing a bathrobe and with partially wet hair, he walked somewhat hurriedly because his phone kept ringing incessantly. It was already time to leave the office. Deborah would only dare to contact him if it was urgent, and even then, it would be limited to messages or emails. Leonel felt the urge to curse anyone who suddenly disrupted the remainder of his day.

He paused when he saw his phone displaying Ester's name.

How could he forget about Ester when she was? Oh my God! What was he thinking? He took a deep breath and sat in the corner of the sofa. He leaned his body against the soft cushions there. "Yes, dear?"

"Just a moment, sir. Miss Ester wants to speak."

Leonel cleared his throat briefly. He had forgotten that sometimes Sofi handled Ester's phone. It didn't take long for him to wait for the call to return to its owner.

"Where have you been?" The voice on the other end sounded sulky. In Leonel's mind, he could picture the beautiful woman pouting her lips. Leonel glanced around, and when he saw the clock on the wall indicating five in the afternoon, he knew and remembered Ester's schedule perfectly.

"Just finished a meeting," he lied. "Are you on your way home? Tell Rio to drive carefully."

"A meeting?"

"Yes."

"Outside?"

"Yes, dear. I have something to discuss with Papa."

"Oh, okay."

Leonel quickly ended the conversation. At least he knew that Ester was heading to his apartment. Leonel began to get dressed. He whistled softly as he chose his outfit. Today, Leonel was following his heart. Please don't ask why or how because he didn't understand what was happening to him. One thing was bothering Leonel too much right now.

The way Dr. Darren looked at Chloe. It was so pleasant. Chloe was still his wife until the divorce.

His shoulders suddenly slumped. Divorce. Right where he stood in front of the mirror. He was dressed neatly, wearing a black polo shirt with a crocodile emblem on the right side. Cream knee-length trousers. And his beloved Rolex watch, never forgotten. His appearance mainly had stayed the same over the years. But his wife wanted a divorce from him?

Ah no. It was he who wanted the divorce. But now? Why didn't he desire it as strongly anymore? Over the past five years, Ester had filled a significant space; seeing Chloe noticed by others, it felt like his heart was being repeatedly punched. Especially the sound of his wife's infectious laughter still echoed in his mind. Throughout their conversations, even if they were just small talk, Chloe had never laughed like that in front of him.

"Damn it," he cursed as he hit the large wardrobe mirror somewhat forcefully. It had no effect but created enough noise in his quiet room. It was because of this that he grabbed the phone that had been lying on the table. He searched for one name: Chris.