[19]
Throughout Chloe’s therapy, Leonel never failed to pay attention to everything that happened there. Every conversation occurred, including the interactions between doctors and patients and Chloe’s communication. Everything seemed normal, and there was nothing suspicious. But why did Leonel’s heart still feel like they were hiding something? Was it because his presence was too open, and they were acting regularly because of it?
Ah, that could be it.
Leonel seemed to have to resort to his second option of secretly observing. He agreed with his new line of thinking. Although he occasionally participated in conversations when Chloe was being spoken to by the doctor, including discussing her progress. It wasn’t that Leonel wasn’t happy, but why didn’t his wife mention the progress she was experiencing? What? Oh my god! Did Leonel forget how he had hurt Chloe’s feelings? Wasn’t it normal for his wife not to want to share about herself now?
In their five years of marriage, communication only happened in one direction, from Chloe’s side. Leonel had to listen to Chloe’s ramblings about this and that. It wasn’t complaints coming from his wife’s mouth but random stories about her daily activities. Leonel even knew what Chloe did when he was away. But he rarely responded to any of it. To Leonel, Chloe was like a chatty parrot.
However, this new piece of information made Leonel feel uneasy. He didn’t like that Chloe wasn’t talking to him. He knew he was at fault, but he should at least know about Chloe’s progress, right? And Peni, why didn’t she say anything about Chloe? Wasn’t she paid for that? Damn, Peni!
“I hope this progress is a good start for Mrs. Chloe,” Doctor Darren said when they finished their therapy session. Leonel didn’t move from Chloe’s side. Instead, he became even more attached. Somehow, the man in the white coat before him seemed like a hidden rival. Leonel knew it. Although Darren tried to appear casual in front of them, Leonel could see a different look in the doctor’s eyes when he looked at his wife.
No one was allowed to look at his wife like that. Regardless of Leonel’s dislike, for him, in good health or even in this state where Chloe didn’t have much power, only Leonel could extend a helping hand.
“Thank you, Doc. This is also thanks to the doctor’s patience in providing therapy for me,” Chloe said softly. She tried to smile, even though she wanted to flick Leonel’s hand away. What was the point? He had nothing better to do.
Even since they entered this therapy room, Leonel had been incredibly annoying. He positioned himself as a good and responsible husband. Full of love and showing how much he cared for his wife. Chloe wanted to spit in frustration with Leonel’s actions. What did it all mean?All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
“It’s also because of the support of Chloe’s family. They have an equal role to play along with the spirit that she has for her recovery,” Darren said with a knowing smile. In his eyes, he was grateful that this therapy session had to be interrupted by Leonel, but the man still came and directly controlled the progress of his wife. Sometimes, he wanted to ask, but it was already in the realm of privacy.
During his acquaintance with Chloe Delilah, even as a patient, Darren knew she was pleasant. It was a pity that she ended up with a man who only hurt her. Darren would quickly move closer to her if Chloe didn’t have a husband. Who wouldn’t be captivated by a natural? Beautiful face like Chloe’s? It would be a lie if Darren didn’t have a unique attraction. However, he had limits.
“Doc,” Leonel spoke up this time. He looked at his wife affectionately. “Our family always supports Chloe to regain her vision as soon as possible. We’re doing our best to make her comfortable. We don’t want her to feel alone because of this temporary situation, right, Doc? I’m sure a doctor like Dr. Darren can handle and help my wife well.”
Darren smiled tightly. Leonel’s gaze had been unfriendly from the beginning. He set a limit as high as possible, silently saying that Chloe belonged to him. However, Darren had no such intentions. If anything, it would only be in the context of Chloe herself without her status as someone else’s wife, Darren might approach her. But that was it.
“Thank you to the Grisham family for trusting me as the doctor handling Mrs. Chloe.”
“Is this therapy session decorated with words of gratitude?” Chloe asked with a flat face. She didn’t turn her head toward the man sitting beside her, but he knew her words were directed at him-a sharp sarcasm because she felt disturbed by his presence here.
“Ah, you’re right, dear.”
What were those words again? They were so disgusting for Chloe to hear. Even the touch she received from Leonel near her temple. She wanted to brush it off but still felt hesitant because it was in front of outsiders who shouldn’t know what was happening in their married life. After all, she was used to putting on a fake face.
Once they said, their goodbyes and the door to Darren’s room closed perfectly, Chloe forcefully pushed away Leonel’s hand. In return, she received a chuckle. “Why?”
“You are a piece of work. Or is your spirit switched with mine? I’m the one who had an accident, got stitches on my head, and lost my vision. But it seems like you’re the one experiencing the dramatic effects. Isn’t that right?”
Leonel laughed even more. Considering they were in a hospital corridor, he had to restrain himself. But seeing Chloe looking at him disdainfully, for some reason, brought him a new kind of joy. Don’t ask Leonel for the reasons behind it. All he knew was that he felt much more enthusiastic, and his annoyance since morning started to subside. He had to make sure to remove Darren from Chloe’s surroundings. At the very least, he should be there for Chloe’s therapy sessions, as Darren’s help was significant for her progress.
So now, all he did was hold Chloe’s hand again. He brushed aside her attempts to push him away and listened to her displeased sighs as if they were the most delightful melody to his heart. His mood was also significantly lifted. His lips, accustomed to being stiff and flat when speaking, would occasionally curl into a mischievous grin directed at the woman.
“If you keep making that sulky face, Chloe,” Leonel whispered. They were back in the lobby, waiting for Peni to pay. Leonel didn’t mind moving to the payment counter but wanted to be by Chloe’s side. Since there was no response from Chloe, Leonel continued speaking. “You’re exactly like a wife pouting and asking for something.”
“YOU!!”
***
Ester grumbled in frustration. Her hands clenched together as she judged the man who appeared relaxed before her. As if nothing affected him. He seemed to enjoy every sip of the white wine glass, and Ester knew precisely when he poured it.
If only she didn’t remember that there was one thing she had to maintain in this house: appearances. Especially with Agatha Theodore watching over them at the dining table. It meant that the presence of the middle-aged woman was all around. Who knew if ears and eyes were set to observe Ester’s behavior during her time in this house? If she hadn’t remembered all that, she would have angrily yelled at Leonel. How could he do things that disgusted her and fill her head with such hate?
She didn’t want to remember, but it was visible in her eyes. It burned her without leaving any traces, and her jealousy grew stronger. In her head, she began to plan how to get Chloe out of the Grisham family as soon as possible.
“What do you mean, huh, Mas?” Ester asked with a restrained growl.
“What do you mean?” Leonel asked with a puzzled frown. “What do you mean by your question, Ester?”
Ester sighed in frustration. She turned her face away. Usually, when she sulked like this, Leonel would approach her. He would coax her to be gentle again and engage in conversation. But this time, Ester was annoyed that she had to restrain herself. Leonel didn’t move closer to her at all! He ignored her! It was so infuriating!
“You told me, Leonel, that you would divorce Chloe soon. But what do I see?” Ester couldn’t bear it anymore. She had to resolve all of this quickly. Leonel had ruined her good mood completely, replaced by a terrible air.
“That’s right. I even asked Chris to arrange the division of inheritance.”
Ester tried to listen, but she didn’t care much about their inheritance. Having Leonel entirely was already an invaluable asset in her empty life. Leonel was also a successful businessman, so the circumstances wouldn’t make her poor, right?
“I’m just accompanying Chloe to therapy, Ester. Nothing more.” Leonel sighed. He was confused by his actions just now. He felt that Chloe’s behavior had spurred him to subdue his wife as before. His obedient, polite wife, who didn’t argue much, although she was talkative, always talked about the state of the house and her cooking.
Although Leonel didn’t often eat Chloe’s cooking, there were certain parts that he had to admit were suitable for him. His wife was very skilled in the kitchen and prepared delicious meals for him. Even though her activities were limited now, Leonel knew that Chloe wouldn’t sit still in this house.
“But what I saw wasn’t just you accompanying your obedient wife to therapy, Leonel!” Ester snapped quickly. There were no more endearing terms. She was angry. Her frustration had consumed her head, causing great pain. But once again, she didn’t care. Talking to Leonel was the purpose of all this.
“I’m just helping her, Ester.” Leonel moved closer. Speaking with Ester in an emotional state wouldn’t work. She always insisted on her opinions, even though it didn’t look like it.
Leonel did indeed help Chloe during meals. It wasn’t because he didn’t believe his wife could feed herself, but earlier, the bowl of soup with steaming vapor almost fell and hit Chloe’s hand. Leonel quickly moved Chloe’s body away so she wouldn’t get splashed by the soup, making her look like she was being embraced during their dinner session.
Leonel’s actions caused Chloe to sit on his lap. From this close distance, under the bright dining room lights, Leonel realized that Chloe had beautiful eyes. Perfectly black. Round like a doll’s eyes, with naturally long eyelashes. Her eyelids also fit perfectly on her attractive face. Leonel didn’t blink, observing closely, realizing how charming his wife was.
Where had he been all this time? What had he wasted during these five years? Why, when he had finally decided to divorce her, to separate from the person who was always there at home, welcoming him at night and never forgetting to prepare everything he needed, did he suddenly regret? No. No. It couldn’t be regretted. It was a sudden caring feeling because of Chloe’s unexpected condition.
He knew that most of what Chloe experienced came from him.
If he could control himself, drag Ester away, and fulfill his desires in a hotel near his office, this woman would still be like the Chloe he knew. Not like now, always cold, flat, indifferent to her presence in this house. Not to mention her behavior that often gave Leonel sudden headaches.
“Helping her?” Ester said with displeasure. “I’m not blind to see anything you two are doing.”
For some reason, Ester’s words, this time, struck Leonel right in the heart. It made him stop his steps toward the woman sitting on the sofa, but his gaze was sharp and directed at him. Chloe’s words echoed in his mind, which made him think, was it right to divorce his wife?
Meanwhile, he was the leading cause of Chloe’s current situation.