[12]
Initially, Leonel wanted to avoid listening to the conversation between the two women. He ignored them, occasionally catching snippets of laughter and light banter. Chloe Delilah seemed so familiar with his mother. Leonel could see the genuine affection in his mother’s eyes whenever she looked at her daughter-in-law. With others, his mother couldn’t be like this. It was a rare occurrence. But Leonel was sure and knew that his mother truly loved him.
It was different with Chloe.
Since his wife entered the Grisham family, Leonel witnessed the warm reception she received from all sides. He couldn’t fathom what they thought of Chloe, who, in his opinion, was just an ordinary girl but managed to capture almost all of the Grisham family’s attention, including his grandfather, who was known to be cold and more reserved than his father. But at that time, Leonel didn’t care. For him, the marriage was just a cover to conceal his ongoing relationship with his lover, Ester.
Since his visit to Chris’s house, where his initial intention was to expedite the divorce process but ended up personally visiting him due to Chris’s poor health, Leonel started to contemplate. Not about Chloe, of course. His mind barely even considered his wife’s future. After all, he ensured she would be left with enough to support herself.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
However, he became lost in thought as he observed the closeness between his mother and Chloe. Would his mother act the same way as Ester? Since he introduced Ester to the Grisham family, his mother had been avoiding her and expressing her complaints. Leonel loved his mother deeply, respected his father, and still held firmly onto the long-standing family traditions.
For Leonel, the family was a priceless treasure.
That’s why he agreed to marry Chloe, despite his heartache and the pain he caused another woman. It didn’t matter. His anger and resentment consumed him.
“Mommy misses cooking together with you, Chloe,” Agatha said amidst her laughter. “Get well soon, dear. Mama always prays for Chloe’s recovery so we can cook together again. Teach Mama how to make delicious dishes, so Papa won’t constantly complain about eating out.”
Chloe laughed. “Yes, Mom. I also like the way Dr. Darren conducts therapy. He doesn’t just focus on Chloe’s progress but also her mental well-being.”
Agatha smiled widely. “Mom always supports your journey to recovery.” She gently stroked Chloe’s head with affection. They both didn’t realize that Leonel was observing at the doorway.
The conversation about Darren made the man in the expensive blazer clear his throat. The image of the doctor’s smile and their recent phone conversation disturbed Leonel once again. He was supposed to contemplate the impending divorce and Chris’s unsettling words.
“Think carefully about the divorce. Even though you always claim you’ve tried, there’s nothing wrong with trying. But I see, you still find joy in neglecting it.”
Agatha and Tisaa turned their attention toward the source of the voice. Chloe realized Leonel was there and chose to step aside, realizing it was dinner time. It was better to ask Bi Rossa if all the dinner dishes were ready.
“Excuse me for a moment, Mom,” she said to her mother-in-law. Peni, near Chloe, promptly helped her stand and guided her steps. Her employer was too independent, causing Peni to smile as she withdrew her hand. She whispered something similar that made Chloe grimace.
“I’ll manage on my own, Pen. Let it be,” Chloe said with a small smile. Peni couldn’t do anything but allow the woman to stroll, feeling her way.
Meanwhile, Leonel approached his mother, although his eyes fixed on Chloe. The woman who often wandered around the house cheerfully never showed any signs of resentment despite Leonel’s continuous neglect. Even during Leonel’s affair with Ester, Chloe remained silent and acted as if nothing had happened.
She had asked him once, a question he still remembered clearly.
“Is she the woman you love?”
Leonel fell silent upon hearing that question. It happened when he returned from the office, claiming to have a meeting, but in reality, he had just visited Ester and met her at the hotel. Somehow, Chloe knew because she was presented with a picture of Leonel intimately embracing Ester by the woman sitting in front of her without any expression. Usually, Chloe would still welcome Leonel’s return with a small smile.
“Yes,” Leonel replied curtly, without hiding anything. What was the point? It would be useless anyway. Their marriage was merely a facade to him. No matter how long he spent with Chloe in this sacred bond, his heart still belonged to Ester. Now it was even better, right? His wife knew about the affair that had been going on for a long time.
“I understand why you always acted cold and indifferent toward me.” Chloe smiled. This time, her smile was filled with sadness. Her eyes glistened with tears. She didn’t say anything more before leaving Leonel behind. The man contemplated, realizing that after that night, Chloe began to think about how to win his heart.
The reality was Chloe returned to being her cheerful self. She became a good wife and took care of herself. She greeted his return with a broader smile, trying to catch Leonel’s attention even though her husband never acknowledged everything Chloe did.
“Mommy loves Chloe’s enthusiasm, Leo.”
Her mother’s words snapped Leonel out of his reverie. He chuckled softly. “Yeah, Ma.”
“You want to accompany her to therapy later?” his mother asked.
Leonel fell silent.
“Try to support Chloe, Leonel,” his mother said.
For some reason, her words sounded so sad to Leonel. It made him turn and look at his mother. And indeed, Agatha’s eyes were filled with tears.
“It must be difficult for Chloe to decide to bring Ester into your home. Do you agree? No, Leonel. I’m afraid I can’t agree at all. But Chloe said there’s no harm in giving her a chance. Ester could become a Grisham daughter-in-law. After all, the Grisham family needs descendants.”
Leonel’s brow furrowed even more.
“Chloe just told me about her condition, aside from her vision. I didn’t know what to say when she showed me the test results about herself.”
“What do you mean, Ma?” Leonel had no idea what his mother was talking about. Chloe’s examination? What was going on?
“Don’t you know? Chloe said she had the examination done together with you.”
***
She let the wind mess up her wavy hair. She enjoyed her solitude in the apartment tonight. After finishing the soup Sofi had left, she felt much better. Her mind wasn’t as troubled as it was earlier in the morning. She had successfully pushed away all the annoying thoughts about Chloe Delilah. She kept the mocking smile from her lover’s wife safely tucked away. She would repay everything perfectly.
“Just wait and see, Chloe. You will feel the consequences of what you’ve done to me,” she muttered with a cunning look in her eyes. She tightly gripped the bottom of the glass she was holding. Thankfully, it didn’t shatter and hurt her hand. The soda inside it remained her loyal companion tonight. She occasionally swirled it, creating ripples inside. Then she took a slow sip.
She didn’t dislike alcohol, but for her sobriety tomorrow, she chose not to touch it. She used her day off to meet someone. To ensure she received the invitation for the grand event that would take place in a month. She wanted Joshua ‘Grisham’ to see her. After disappearing for so long, not because she didn’t want to, but because seeing Leonel affectionately holding Chloe, even if it was all pretend, still hurt her.
Ester couldn’t bear it.
Talking to Joshua had opened her eyes a little. Well, she had a much better chance of winning Leonel now. She just had to wait for her lover to serve divorce papers to his wife, and voila! The two of them would officially start their relationship. As for the Grisham family, she didn’t care. As long as she became the wife of Leonel Grisham Djaya, she could control everything.
A triumphant grin had already adorned her beautiful face. She just had to go there. Play her role well. And she couldn’t even imagine what Chloe’s face would look like.
The ringing of the cell phone she had placed on a small table in the corner of the balcony was loud enough. She had stood there because the evening breeze had become colder against her skin. She quickly grabbed the phone and went back inside the living room. Leonel’s name appeared on the screen, making her smile even brighter.
“Good evening, Darling,” she greeted warmly with a touch of coquetry.
“Have you arrived at the apartment?”
Ester chuckled. “I’ve been here since earlier.”
“Really? Isn’t your schedule for the photoshoot until the evening? Usually, you take some time to relax first.”
She lightly brushed her hair. She leaned back comfortably on the sofa. The TV had been playing a series since earlier, but no one was watching. Ester’s eyes were indulged elsewhere this time as her mind wasn’t focused on the program. “Well, yes. But I left before the photoshoot was finished.”
“Why?” Leonel asked urgently. “Is there a problem?”
“No,” Ester replied calmly. “I was feeling sick.”
“Ester.” Leonel cautioned. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t Sofi inform me? What’s going on, Ester?” Leonel spoke with a tone of concern. “I’ll come over right now.”
“No need, Leo. I’m already feeling much better. I just needed some rest.”
He hung up the phone before Ester could hear Leonel say anything else. Once again, a satisfied grin appeared on the corner of Ester’s lips. She knew that no matter what, Leonel would always be there for her. Although she saw uncertainty in his eyes yesterday, Ester was always confident that his embrace was where Leonel would return to.
Just like now.
It only took thirty minutes since Leonel unilaterally hung up the phone, and the apartment’s doorbell rang loudly. Tonight, she had closed all her access points. Although, in reality, Leonel could enter without ringing the bell. Full of excitement, she opened the door. After ensuring her appearance was ready to greet her beloved, there was no flaw; she was always perfect as usual, even when she wore loose clothing that barely covered her thighs, exposing her beautiful legs perfectly.
She swung open the door wide, ready to greet the man she loved. “Hi, Darling.”
But.