Chapter 55
Lucas' face darkened.
Chloe, it seemed, didn't really want to end things.
He hadn't told his family about Linda being pregnant yet. Didn't Chloe reveal this now just to make everyone think Linda was using the pregnancy to push her out?
How could they ever accept Linda after this?
Just as expected, when Tara found out, she went ballistic.
"Lucas, are you and that little home-wrecker bullying Chloe? Let me tell you, I don't care if she's pregnant or not; she's never stepping foot into this home, and we certainly won't accept that child."
"Mom, the baby Linda's carrying is my own flesh and blood, your grandchild." Lucas was fuming, too.
"The Moncada family doesn't need such disgraceful lineage. How has Chloe treated Linda over the years? When those thugs kidnaped Linda, Chloe saved her, taking a knife for her and almost losing her life in the process. Chloe still has a deep scar on her shoulder. What did Linda do in return? At Chloe's most desperate and vulnerable moment, she stole her boyfriend. Does she have any conscience at all?"
Chloe went through the triple betrayal of family, friendship, and love back then. In her despair, she tried to end her own life.
Such a happy-go-lucky person like her was driven to suicide. Just thinking about it made Tara's heart ache unbearably.
Lucas' gaze turned icy. "I pursued Linda. This has nothing to do with her. If anyone should apologize, it's me."
"Fine, fine, keep defending her. You're utterly bewitched. You'll regret this in the future."
Chloe grabbed Tara's arm. "Mom, it's come to this. I've let go. You should, too. Even if I can't be your daughter-in-law, I'm willing to be your daughter and take care of you in your old age."
Tara, holding Chloe's hand, burst into tears.
Joshua heaved a deep sigh beside them. “Let it be, let it be. Our children and grandchildren have their own lives to leave. If they want to separate, let them be."Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
He approached Lucas. "I told you this before. If you give up being Chloe's husband, you're also giving up your position as heir to the Moncada family, the company shares..."
"Grandpa, I don't want the company
shares or the Moncada family
estate." Chloe was serious. "This is the fruit of your lifetime of hard work. It shouldn't be used to compensate for your children's emotional debts. I won't take the shares, and as for the properties you bought me, I will return them to the Moncada family. They were never mine to begin with."
Tara was heartbroken. "Chloe, you're speaking out of anger. I've been acquiring those properties for you since you were born. Even if you're no longer our daughter-in-law, they are still yours."
Chloe smiled. "I don't need anything, truly. If you really want to give me something, then I'll only take Greenpeace Estate. The rest, you can keep for Belle."
No matter how much Tara tried to retain her, Chloe still moved out.
Antonio, supporting a sobbing Tara, said. "It might not be a bad thing. Let them cool down. It might actually help their relationship."
Tara, choking back sobs, nodded. "No matter what, I will only acknowledge Chloe as my daughter-in-law in this lifetime."
Chloe loaded her luggage into the car.
After saying goodbye to Antonio, Tara, and Joshua, she was ready to leave. Lucas, unusually, followed her out to see her off. When Chloe opened the car door, Lucas grabbed her arm. "Chloe, have you had enough of this charade?"
Chloe, puzzled, smiled. "You think I'm putting on a show?"
"By bringing up Linda's pregnancy, you're just trying to trap Linda in an unjust situation. You still care about this. You don't really want to break up. You just want to force my family to make Linda terminate the pregnancy. Chloe, you're truly evil."
Chloe, helpless, shook her head. "Lucas, I have hated you and Linda, but I've never thought of harming your child. You won't believe anything I say, so let's leave it to time."
She shook off Lucas' hand and got into the car.