STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease

Blake was completely taken aback by Chloe's statement because this was the first time he was having a real conversation with her.

Aside from the periodic family dinners the Kensingtons and the Marlowes share, they have never had any personal business and hence, Blake's shock.

"What business could you possibly have with Blake?" Ruby asked, baffled. "And why ain't you with George? I thought you were starting your anniversary countdown today?" She asked further.

"Some things are much more important than others." Chloe announced, locking eyes with Blake who has now become uncomfortable with the conversation, his discomfort obvious in his darting gaze.

"Chloe, you don't mean your meeting is more important than your date with brother, right?" Ruby asked, confused.

"Ruby, you already had lunch, right? Your date is over, why don't you excuse us? Or better still go home and rest." Chloe suggested, making Ruby sad.

Ruby was a lot younger than Chloe and she had been friends with her long before her marriage to his brother.

Growing up, Ruby has always respected Chloe and obeyed her every word. Chloe is also the only person that can easily make her sad or happy with her words and just by scolding her now, Ruby's eyes were already glowing with tears.

She angrily picked up her bag and attempted to leave but Chloe knowing she had gone overboard stood up and stopped her.

"Ruby, you know my condition and how much I want a child, right?" Chloe asked and Ruby nodded amidst her teary eyes.

"I just want to try a new doctor and you know Blake is the best in the country." She explained, this time looking straight into Blake's eyes.

Ruby immediately felt bad for Chloe as she pulled her into a hug.

"I know you were acting strange for a reason. I should have understood you were stressed out. I'm sorry." Ruby apologized while wiping off her tears.

"You don't have to be. Just do me a favor, will you?" Chloe asked, knowing Ruby would do anything for her.

"Anything for you, SIL!" She replied excitedly that all traces of anger and sadness were wiped off.

Even though they were already standing close enough, Chloe moved closer, whispering her last statement to Ruby's ear alone.

Blake just watched them in confusion as Chloe's behavior was totally new to him.

For as long as he had known her, she had never raised her eyes to meet his considering the respect he commanded as the future King of a country with a Constitutional Monarchy system of government.

But all of a sudden, that fear seemed to have vanished and for as much as he could count, Chloe had been exchanging direct eye contact with him today.

"Don't worry Chloe, my lips are sealed." Ruby reassured before waving Blake goodbye and walking out on them.

Fortunately, Zane had called for another car which drove Ruby away.

As soon as Ruby was off sight, Chloe sat up and for several minutes, the pair just exchanged eye contact until Blake got intimidated and spoke up.

"Uhmm…what exactly do you need my help with?" He stuttered as his eyes darted to his engagement ring which he nervously fidgeted with.

"Is this where your patients receive consultations? Or you're just giving me special treatment since I'm your Fiaaanceee's sister-in-law?" Chloe asked, her voice having a hint of anger.

Blake wasn't sure what to say but one thing was certain, he knew Chloe didn't like it here so he stood up and suggested, "Why don't we go to my office then? I'm sure that would be more comfortable."

Chloe was hesitant as she sighed and walked out of the room while Chloe walked behind her.

The ride back to the hospital was awkwardly silent as they both sat at the back while Zane drove.

While Chloe's mind was clouded with the anger of the news of their relationship, Blake felt a mix of reactions seated so close to his college crush.

This is the closest they have been in all their lives.

Back in college, Blake would stalk Chloe while he sent Zane about to plant the secret notes in places Chloe was sure to find them.

He would talk about her at all times with Zane and George. Everyone around him knew he was in love. Even his parents and his younger brother who was only in middle school at that time knew about this but he was just too shy to confess his feelings to her.

While summoned up the courage, George offered his help, promising he would make sure Chloe never rejected him when he finally got enough courage to confess his love after all, he was in the same art department with her.

Blake was in his final year in college at that time and as planned, he was going to confess his love to her after his final exams. But George already fell in love with her after becoming so close to her and he couldn't give up his love for his friend.

So he shot his shot before Blake summoned his courage.

"Are you not coming down?" Chloe's sharp voice cut through Blake's thoughts, pulling him back to reality as he realized they were in front of the hospital.

"Oh…ummm…yeah…" He stuttered, embarrassed and Zane snorted while trying to hold back his laughter.

Chloe rolled her eyes as she stepped out of the car and headed straight to his office.

"Do you think your husband will consent to this?" Blake asked as he walked towards his seat.

"I am the one with the condition, do you think I don’t have the right to choose who treats me?” Chloe replied to his question with a question.

“Guess I will let you deal with that.” Blake sighed, giving up. “So what exactly is your complaint? Or condition?” He asked.

Chloe was hesitant in answering his question. Talking about her infertility hasn’t always been easy but because of the level of closeness she had with her former gynecologist, she had no problem disclosing it with her.

Being a professional, Blake understood Chloe’s hesitation and he decided to reach out to her.

“Mrs. Marlowe, I know you are always talking about these things isn’t always but you can trust me. Your secret is safe with me.” Blake’s empathetic response won Chloe’s heart over and she decided to be open with him.

“I’ve suffered three miscarriages so far…I just couldn’t sit back to be diagnosed barren.” Chloe explained, forcing a smile to hide her pain.

Blake was saddened by the news, especially seeing how much Chloe was hurting as a result. Goerge might have snatched his love but he never for once wished them bad.

“Mrs. Marlowe…”

“Chloe, please!” She begged, gritting her teeth in despair as the family haunt her.

“Uhmm…Chloe, since it’s your first time here, I will give you some medical advice to prepare you for a future session…”

“Do you seriously think this was what I came here for?” Chloe scolded angrily as the thought of his relationship with Ruby kept disturbing her mind. ‘What was I thinking? That I could change my faith?’ She thought to herself.

Blake, who had no idea what was going on in Chloe’s head, thought she was just trying to jumpstart some of the medical process since she had been with another doctor.

“I know you have been with another gynecologist before now hence you don’t want to go through the full process. To start treating you, I will have to do some tests to determine the severity of your case.” He explained.

Chloe smirked at his cluelessness and decided to play along for the time being.

The first test Blake suggested was a blood test and he took some tubes from his desk and collected a portion of Chloe’s blood.

“I will be back in the next 30 minutes.” He announced as he took the blood sample to the laboratory.

****

George, who had returned home mere minutes after Chloe left the house was angered by her absence.

Trying to reach her was impossible since he had her phone and this frustrated her even more. He went around the house asking the staff and anyone he could find about her wayabout but no one seemed to know where the favorite daughter-in-law had gone until Ruby eventually returned home after her date.

George ran up to her as soon as the royal car drove into the compound and began questioning her, “Ruby, have you seen my wife? We had plans but she just ditched it and went awol!”

“Is that why you’re so worked up? You know Sister-in-law would never forgo a date with you for something unimportant. I’m sure she has something more important to do.” Ruby suggested, casually dismissing George’s worry.

“More important? Don’t be silly. If you know where she is just tell me, please!” He begged but Ruby already gave Chloe her word and wasn’t about to go back on it.

“I don’t know! Just call her and stop stressing me out!” She nagged at him before walking into the mansion.

George let out a sigh in distress as regretted his decision of taking her phone away from her, ‘I hope she isn’t working again!’

***Meanwhile***

“What?” Chloe asked again to be sure of what he had just been told by the doctor.

“Chloe, I know this is hard for you but I assure you it’s not a life-threatening disease. Chlamydia is something…”

“No! This is unacceptable!” Chloe cried out as the news of her disease struck her.

Chloe was overwhelmed with a devastating mix of emotions. The discovery of her husband's infidelity with her step-sister is not just a betrayal of trust, but a cruel betrayal of her body as well and the knowledge of this infection and recurrent miscarriages which was also a result of their illicit affair only deepened her sense of pain and violation.

After waking up to her past, making Jamie and the Marlowes family pay has been her ultimate goal but after finding out this, her reason for revenge strengthened and his hatred for George and Jamie heightened.

Her gaze was fazed as she gently stood up and began walking towards the door.

“Chloe…” Blake attempted to stop her but she gestured to him to stay back before she eventually pushed the door open and stepped out.

For several minutes, Chloe cried behind her steering, “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” She cursed herself as she continuously hit her head on the steering wheel of her car, blaming herself for all the pain that befell her.

Her heart simmered with a burning desire for revenge.

Anguish, humiliation, and a sense of profound injustice fueled her every thought. The weight of George’s betrayal has left scars on both her heart and body– a scar that could only be erased through revenge.

“George, Jamie– you both will pay for this.” Chloe threatened as she raised her head, with bloodshot eyes and a bleeding forehead.