[57]
Chloe didn’t want to leave Agatha’s side. Although her vision was severely limited, she tried to accompany Agatha until her condition improved significantly. The doctor said her situation was not too problematic, but Chloe felt anxious. There was a restlessness in her every time she handheld Agatha’s. Usually, Agatha would respond, but not now. She was still weak.
“Agatha is still unconscious, Miss,” Peni explained, who remained loyal in accompanying Chloe at the hospital. Initially, she had stepped aside because Leonel didn’t want to be disturbed by her presence, but she still kept a close watch from a distance. She also feared that Leonel might dare to mistreat his gentle and weak employer again. Just because Leonel was Chloe’s husband didn’t mean he could mistreat his wife, right?
“I hope she wakes up soon, Pen. I can’t bear to see Mama like this. It’s so sad that I can’t do much except sit here quietly,” Chloe whispered. “I feel useless, Pen.”
“Don’t talk like that, Miss. Agatha wouldn’t want to hear you thinking that way. Let’s pray as much as possible for Agatha to wake up soon. The doctor also said her condition is starting to stabilize, and there’s nothing to worry about,” Peni reassured her.
Chloe nodded in agreement. “For tonight, who will stay with Mama Agatha?”
“Mr. Robby and Mrs. Rossa will be here, Miss. You were asked to go home earlier. But I told them that you wanted to stay with Mama Agatha.”
Chloe nodded again. “We’ll leave in thirty minutes.”
“Alright, Miss.”
Chloe once again focused her attention on the frail figure lying in front of her. Although all she could see in front of her was a blur of white with hints of green and the unmistakable sounds in her ears, she could sense the quiet atmosphere in the room. Chloe prayed to God, hoping that Agatha would wake up from her current condition. All she felt was darkness when she was in the hospital after the tragic incident.
Her body was stiff and immobile. Not to mention her mind constantly replayed Leonel’s mistreatment towards her. From trivial matters to things that genuinely hurt her. She knew her cheeks were damp, but she couldn’t move. She couldn’t even speak. Her eyes refused to open, but memories kept swirling about her life. These memories ultimately made Chloe feel that Leonel couldn’t be left alone.
Who knows, if God was merciful enough to make her regain consciousness quickly, she could finally repay all the pain her husband had inflicted on her. Unfortunately, when she woke up, her vision remained devoid of light. She was angry and disappointed. Her mind was overwhelmed by suffocating thoughts. Until she reached this point, it didn’t feel good either. Her body felt weightless and directionless. She didn’t want Agatha to experience that as well.
Especially with the ongoing problems, Chloe was confident they were taking a toll on Agatha’s mind.
But she couldn’t help much. She had made up her mind because nothing was left to hold onto. If she gave in, what would become of her? She didn’t want to feel disappointed, frustrated, or angry anymore. She truly desired a more peaceful life than before.
“Chloe,” Leonel called out, suddenly touching her shoulder. Chloe immediately shrugged him off, regardless of his changing expression or the disapproving sound from her husband. She no longer cared. “Rest at home, okay? It’s already late.”
“Without you telling me, I already wanted to leave,” Chloe replied. She nodded, not wanting to converse with Leonel, knowing that it would only lead to topics related to him. The more Chloe entertained those discussions, the further she would drift away and become unreachable by Leonel. So she created some distance for now, rather than forcing herself and ultimately becoming even more out of reach for Leonel.
“Peni, please take good care of Mama,” Leonel instructed.NôvelDrama.Org © content.
Peni, who had been silently listening, quickly nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Then she approached her employer, helping her stand up and prepare to leave the hospital room. She occasionally reminded Chloe to watch her steps, fearing something might obstruct her and cause harm. They mustn’t let that happen.
Meanwhile, Leonel looked at his mother with concern. The guilt in his heart grew more assertive. He pulled over the chair Chloe had previously occupied and held her warm hand. He kissed the back of her hand, which still felt weak. “Forgive me, Mom. It’s all Leonel’s fault.”
No one spoke there except for the sound of the monitor used to monitor Agatha’s overall condition.
“Leonel will sort everything out, Mom. I will investigate thoroughly who did this to our family, causing all my plans to fall apart.”
Agatha still didn’t respond, and Leonel knew that for sure.
“Forgive Leonel for being unable to restrain Chloe’s desire to leave the house and file for divorce. Chris also said that Mom could not persuade Chloe. It’s okay, Mom. I believe I will be able to win Chloe back eventually. Please don’t withdraw your support, Mom. Don’t leave Leonel alone with Papa. Leonel doesn’t know what would happen without you.” He kissed the back of his mother’s hand once again.
***
The journey back home was silent. Chloe herself didn’t want to speak about anything. Her mind was focused on one thing: her situation with Leonel. Had she gone too far?
“Ma’am,” Peni called out, breaking Chloe’s reverie.
“What is it, Pen?”
“I’ll make porridge for you at home, Mrs. Chloe. You should eat it first in case your stomach acts up again.”
Chloe smiled. “Alright.”
Peni smiled at Chloe’s response this time.
“Oh, Pen, start packing the rest of our belongings starting tomorrow. I’ve asked someone at the old house to clean all the rooms. You can occupy one of them, but I apologize in advance. Our situation will be very different from when we were at Josh’s house. Now, it’s up to you. Once you leave that luxurious house, it’ll be difficult to go back.”
Peni was taken aback but quickly shook her head. “I don’t intend to stay there for long. I’m with you. I’ve already said that, right? I don’t care about sleeping arrangements.”
Chloe smiled sincerely. “Thank you for supporting me. What do you think, Pen, if I leave the house when Agatha is in this condition?”
“I think it should be postponed for a while, Mrs. Chloe. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to leave just like that. We don’t know if someone else might take advantage or if we know what’s happening with the Grisham family.” Peni understood what was happening. She had been reading a lot of news to Chloe, and she knew what the Grisham family was going through indirectly. “We don’t know if others are looking for opportunities to bring us down. Your intentions are good for your well-being, but in the eyes of others, it might not be. At the very least, we shouldn’t let your name be tarnished by strange rumors out there.”
“You’re wise, Pen. I had those thoughts too, but I was hesitant. Hearing you speak like that, I’m sure of what I’ll do now.”
“What do you mean, Ma’am?”
“Starting tomorrow, we’ll pack together. Bring whatever we can take with us first. Ask the driver to transport them, but make sure no one outside knows we’re bringing things like that.”
“Oh, I see. I understand.”
Chloe smiled again. “Don’t bring large and heavy items either. I don’t need them. Everything at my house is still intact and usable. When I was brought to this house, I only brought two large suitcases containing personal belongings. When leaving that house, I should bring those two suitcases if possible.”
“It seems like there will be more, Ma’am,” Peni joked, making Chloe laugh.
“You’re right. It seems like there will be more than two suitcases.”
“Ma’am… don’t you feel sad leaving the house?”
“Sad, Pen. It would be a lie if I said I’m not sad when I’m sure I’ll be leaving that house. But what can I do? I can’t bear to be there anymore. I can no longer tolerate Leonel’s mistakes. It’s only because of Mama Agatha’s condition that I’m postponing it.”
Peni nodded in understanding. “Hopefully, Mrs. Agatha can understand, Ma’am.”
“I hope so. Because this is not an easy decision, Pen.”
Shortly after, they arrived at the large house that Chloe would be leaving. Seeing the surroundings still wasn’t perfect, but the memories that had already entered her mind remained vivid. When Joshua first entered this house, there was a lively reception. Everything looked cheerful when Chloe stepped out of the car. Beside her, Leonel remained silent and immediately handed over the management of the house to the head servant there. Rossa, who had worked there the longest, took the opportunity to inform Chloe about the luxurious aspects of the house.
“Leonel,” she called in the afternoon after touring the large house. They were enjoying the sunset in one of the pavilions in the garden. The sound of the water in the pool accompanied them, creating a serene atmosphere. Leonel merely glanced at Chloe reluctantly.
“If I want to add decorations here, is that okay?”
“Whatever,” was Leonel’s response. “I don’t care much.”
“Don’t be like that. We’ll be living in this house together. There should be enjoyable things in it, Mas. So that we always know the way back home.”
Leonel remained silent, choosing to savor his cup of coffee.
“I want a comfortable home that makes me feel at ease. We’re just starting our married life. There will be many adjustments. Let me know what you like and dislike, Leonel. Don’t let me act wrongly.”
“Do as you please, Chloe.”
“Oh, by the way, what food do you like? I’ll take cooking classes so that I can cook for you.”
Leonel remained silent once again.
Chloe said many things, but the response from the man, now her husband, was superficial. But Chloe never gave up until she realized Leonel treated her as something. Everything she thought was enjoyable turned out to be an illusion.
This made Chloe realize now that she no longer needed to be here. What’s the point? It’s useless. Her fighting spirit had run out. She no longer desired her efforts because whatever she did, there were no results for her. So it’s pointless. She chose to leave. She should have realized it a long time ago, right? Why only now?
Did love blind her eyes and heart to the point where she forgot that she also deserves to be happy?
“Mrs. Chloe,” greeted Rossa with a broad smile. “I’ve prepared dinner. I’ll wait for your return before heading to the hospital. Everything you need has been ordered through Olin. Olin will prepare your breakfast, Mrs. Chloe. Hopefully, Olin can learn quickly,” she said mournfully. “I’ve also brought dinner for Mr. Robby and Mr. Leonel. In case they haven’t had dinner. We don’t want both of them falling ill.”
“Please remind Papa Robby to take his vitamins, Rossa. I’m worried about his health being affected too.”
“Alright, Ma’am.”
“And make sure Leonel eats as well. I’m concerned that he hasn’t cared for his health in the past few days.”
Rossa blinked slowly. Chloe’s words seemed strange, but she responded with a nod and said, “Okay, Ma’am.”
Then her employer walked towards her room, accompanied by Peni, who shrugged at the coded glances from Rossa. Perhaps they were both equally puzzled by why Chloe’s behavior sometimes changed.