"Divorce me," Chloe whispered.
Those words sounded dreadful to Leonel, her husband. His eyes, accustomed to looking at his wife with disdainful gazes, now widened in disbelief. Even his mouth, which usually spoke with a sarcastic and ungrateful tone, gaped open wide from the shock. Inside his head, those words repeated like broken tape, continuously playing without stopping.
"What?"
Chloe's ears could still hear whatever was being said on the flat-screen TV in the living room of their large house. However, her eyes couldn't see the scenes playing there. She had to feel around first to lift her favorite jasmine teacup.
When she recalled the incident six months ago, Chloe felt the urge to curse God.
"Chloe, what do you mean by talking like this?" As usual, Leonel started raising his voice when he spoke to Chloe. For some reason, many things had changed since his wife left the hospital—especially Chloe's increasingly annoying attitude.
Gone was the compliant Chloe, the one who spoke softly and rarely contradicted Leonel whenever he said something. But now?
"My words were clear enough for you to hear, Leo."
"But why?"
The black-haired woman smirked sarcastically. Her lips curled into a grin, accompanied by a sharper gaze. Although she couldn't see her husband, she was confident that her eyes conveyed her feelings. "Why?" Then, not long after, a mocking laugh escaped her somewhat pale lips.
Instantly, Leonel felt a lump in his throat. He couldn't accept Chloe's behavior. For the first time in their five-year marriage, he saw his wife giving him a pretty terrifying look. That grin especially. The gentle, loving, obedient gaze disturbing Leonel all this time had vanished. Chloe's brown eyes looked resolute, unwavering.
"I will not divorce you."
Once again, Chloe sneered. This time, she spat to her left side with even more impertinence. "After all your betrayals? With me being this damaged? And your intimacy with her here?"
"You were the one who asked, Chloe. Forgot?"
Chloe always remembered the request she made since returning from the hospital. Her memory never forgot the day when that incident happened.
She witnessed the affair with her own eyes becoming more and more prominent. Chloe admitted that Leonel indeed had another mistress. But she didn't expect it to be displayed so clearly day by day. It was as if intentionally done. Her heartache had reached its peak. Her car got involved in a single-car accident, causing her to fall into a coma for two months.
To make matters worse, she had to endure semi-permanent blindness and ongoing therapy sessions. Her life now was genuinely tragic.
That's why she asked her husband to marry his mistress. It had yet to be fully accomplished to live together in this house. Leonel suddenly hesitated in taking a stand but let that woman roam freely in this house. A sudden feeling of compassion arose in Leonel's heart when he learned what Chloe was going through.
Leonel took a long breath and tried to hold his wife's hand. He had never done this before. Chloe usually initiated their interactions. Even when touching Chloe in their bedroom, Leonel was always reluctant. Chloe's presence had never truly felt the depths of this man's coal-black eyes.
But now, for some reason, Chloe's words made him feel a little afraid.
Although all this time, Leonel had made every effort to divorce Chloe. Even his affair with Ester was done openly, regardless of how much Chloe cried over his behavior. Ester was the woman he had loved since college, but his influential family opposed her profession, especially the role model, Robby Grisham—his grandfather.
Leonel couldn't defy the command given by Robby Grisham regarding his meticulously arranged marriage to Chloe. She was an innocent and naive girl, though quite beautiful, but more was needed for Leonel. Chloe was too obedient. Whatever he said, Chloe would do. No objections. No protests. And she never refused.
However, his wife's figure has changed in front of him. Since waking up from a coma after the accident, Chloe has been very different. The Chloe that Leonel knew no longer exists. She has transformed into someone else who is cold and harsh when speaking, and she doesn't want Leonel around, whether it's accompanying her or just talking to her.
Chloe only wants to meet her friend, Adrianna Jacob. Leonel also knows Adrianna since their marriage. They have been friends since college.
Initially, Leonel didn't pay much attention to the doctor's warnings about Chloe's psychological and traumatic condition. But after seeing her rejection and how she didn't hesitate to throw anything near her to keep Leonel away, Leonel started to take notice. Not to mention the outbursts and screams every time he approached.
Now, he can only communicate with the woman who is still his wife.
Before, Chloe was always willing to sit for hours to wait for Leonel to come home. Or she would go to great lengths to bring him lunch at his office. Although Leonel never responded positively, Chloe never gave up. Throughout these five years, Chloe always wanted to prove to her husband that she was a faithful wife.
She always smiled and remained patient. And now, that person is gone. Disappeared, although based on the analysis of the doctors who handled her during her treatment at the hospital, all the changes Chloe has experienced will gradually improve.
Although it requires prolonged therapy and a very supportive approach, that's not to mention what surprised Leonel the most. One thing that also worried Leonel was Chloe's vision. He was worried that Chloe would never regain her sight.
"I only did it in your dream, Chloe!" Leonel exclaimed. He rose from the comfortable sofa he had just sat on. His eyes were red as he stared at his wife, who challenged his gaze. Her brown eyes looked empty. Occasionally, her eyes moved slowly, but Leonel knew they couldn't be used as before.
His wife was blind, although it couldn't be said to be permanent yet. But still, it was undoubtedly difficult for Chloe to live her life now. And that brought a sense of pity that deeply settled in Leonel's heart, especially when he remembered a large gift box, which was her lunchbox, lying on his office desk.
There was a note that Leonel knew was written by his wife's hand.
'Happy anniversary, my husband. May we be happier in the future?'
And then the accident happened, leaving a disturbing hole in Leonel's mind.
***
During the day, as Chloe closed her eyes, a sudden pain took over her head. It was pounding so intensely that she grabbed her hair tightly. "ARGH!" She shouted, gasping for breath. She reluctantly woke up. There was nothing her eyes could enjoy except darkness and a faint light.
The sound of impact, screeching tires, and cries for help from herself invaded her dreams again. It wasn't easy to forget the terrible event in her life. Although she had tried hard to eliminate her nightmares, they often recurred without being prevented.
In the past, her world felt beautiful. She was born into a good family. Although she lost her parents in middle school, she had extraordinary love from her grandmother and grandfather. Until she graduated from college, she lived a life like any other average child. Despite her arranged marriage, she learned to accept it and put aside the knowledge she gained during college. She chose to dedicate herself as a housewife, just as her mother-in-law desired.She had abundant wealth. She had a husband with a handsome appearance. Just by pointing at something, she could quickly obtain it. But that was only what could be seen from the outside, without knowing how miserable her life was here.After she managed to regain control of herself, she forced herself to leave the room. Initially, the room she occupied was on the second floor. It was a large main bedroom with many complete facilities. However, there was no warmth there. The atmosphere in the room seemed stiff and superficial.Just like
"Are you sure?" Leonel asked with a doubtful look. "Don't tell me there's another mistake in the draft. I won't accept that excuse."Deborah nodded quickly. "No, Sir. I've double-checked everything."Leonel led the way, remembering to give Deborah a frustrated pat. Somehow, in his eyes, Deborah's work must be permanently corrected. "Let's wait in the meeting room."Despite feeling frustrated, Deborah still followed in the footsteps of the company's CEO. Who needs to learn the influence of Hartono and his descendants? A tycoon who has a significant effect in Indonesia has also appeared on the list of the wealthiest people in the world several times. Being a staff member at Mountain Pte is a sought-after position for job seekers outside. It's a reputable company with many benefits and promising career paths.This meeting went quite smoothly. Some have already agreed to Leonel's proposed collaboration, which the client is still reviewing. Leonel sees this meeting as deciding whether his
Leonel gently swayed the contents of his cup. The ripples it created distracted him slightly from the background music at the club he was currently in. It was his second drink, but he already felt nauseous enough. Usually, he would spend the whole night before finally going home. No matter what condition he arrived in, he would always be greeted with a smile. Suddenly Leonel remembered missing that smile.Chloe's smile.The man scoffed softly, laughing dismissively at himself. How could his thoughts be focused on Chloe in a situation like this? Hadn't he been neglecting his wife's existence all this time? Ah, Leonel was sure that's why the image of a woman who liked the color red— he could clearly remember that it was the color Chloe wore most of the time—kept spinning in his mind because she had awakened from a coma and was disabled.He felt sorry. Yes, that's the only feeling Leonel had now."Are you sure about meeting me here?" a man approached him and asked. From his tone of voice
Chloe has beautiful eyes. Leonel admitted that. Her eyes were full of spirited sparkles the first time he saw her. Warmth radiated from them. They were like his mother's eyes, through which Leonel felt genuine affection. Just from her gaze, Leonel could discern what kind of woman this Chloe Delilah was. Maternal and loving towards her family.Unfortunately, Leonel was not affected by Chloe's radiant eyes except tonight.Her eyes were empty. They looked at him but seemed to lack meaning. The brown part moved restlessly but eventually focused on one point: him. Of course, the one is sitting in front of her after scolding this woman. What was going through Chloe's mind when she stood at the edge of the balcony? What if he was too late? He would be subject to scolding and the wrath of the large Grisham family.Chloe, the beloved daughter-in-law of her family. Leonel himself wondered what made Chloe special. There was nothing.Since the accident with his wife six months ago, he had lost co
Wearing a pink tunic that reached her calves and paired with low-heeled shoes, her neatly arranged hair was adorned with a small clip on the left side. Peni lightly applied makeup on Chloe's face and dramatically affected her lips. Chloe told her not to overdo the makeup. She descended the stairs slowly, assisted by Peni. The servant also mentioned that Adrianna was already waiting for her in the living room."Would you like me to accompany you, ma'am?" Peni asked cautiously. This was the second time she asked, but she has yet to receive a response. Her responsibility in this house was to take care of Chloe, including attending to her needs during her treatment and recovery."No need. I'll go with Adrianna," Chloe replied with a bright smile. "You should rest. I know you must be tired of watching over me, right?"In truth, Peni didn't feel that way. While watching over Chloe could be demanding, her mistress had significantly improved in the past month. Her emotions were becoming more
This was the first time that Leonel Grisham acted out of control. He felt anxious as he drove his shiny black sedan toward the hospital. He couldn't accept Chloe taking advantage of his vulnerability to have fun. No wonder she was so happy every time her therapy sessions came. Something was causing her excitement."Damn it!" he cursed once again. This time his hand hit the middle of the steering wheel, making the horn honk loudly. His frustration grew as the traffic jam further slowed him down. He counted; Chloe's departure this morning had been too long for a therapy session. And what he heard? Chloe was going too far!As he saw the hospital building in sight, he increased his speed. He even considered ramming through the parking barrier to catch up with Chloe faster. He got out of the car and half ran towards the hospital lobby. His objective was to check the therapy schedule and the patients visiting there."I'm sorry, sir," one of the attending nurses said.
Ester Gisela was too dazzling to be ignored. Her blond hair cascaded neatly. Her smooth, porcelain-like face was as soft as silk. Her lips were beautifully full, with a slightly thick lower lip exuding sensuality even through her words. Her eyes were as clear as morning dew, serene and calming, often causing others to get lost. Her nose was pointed, with a mole right at the tip. She was tall and slender, with beautiful legs, her assets as a famous model. And not to mention her body, perfectly sculpted by God.Ester possessed the perfection desired by many women. However, for her, it was still not enough. The popularity she gained all this time meant nothing compared to winning the heart and whole being of Leonel Grisham, her beloved. She loved him deeply and was obsessed with having him ultimately.Their love story was sweet at first. Despite Ester's profession, Leonel remained faithful to her. Until that moment, Ester felt like she was going insane hearing his words.
Chloe was tired of rejecting Leonel's help this time. According to her, it was unnecessary. Although her eyes could only perceive points of light, she had gotten used to her cane. And again, Peni greeted them as they got out of the car. But Leonel seemed to have collided with her quite hard, causing him to drive Peni away and forcing Chloe to walk beside him."Smile, Chloe. Don't you want to greet Mama with a smile?" Leonel whispered momentarily as their steps descended a few stairs towards the spacious living room. Leonel's parents were already there to welcome them. This information surprised Chloe.She turned and furrowed her brows slightly. "Why didn't you tell me?"Leonel chuckled just from seeing how innocent and silly his wife's face was. "Uh... let's just say I forgot."Chloe sighed, then started to erase the stiffness from her face. It was replaced by a wide, joyful smile, especially when she heard the soft voice of the woman she called 'Mama.' L