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 her relationship with Leonel. She realized it day by day, especially since she became like this. She slowly dragged her feet, making sure with the tip of her cane that nothing would harm her.
"Oh... the lady of the house is awake."
Chloe fell silent. She recognized that voice. Ester Gisella. The woman loved by her husband is now allowed to enter their house. However, Chloe was somewhat confused because Leonel didn't immediately marry that woman. She thought Leonel would immediately legalize his affair within their marriage since she was helpless like this.
But the reality was different. Chloe no longer cared about what Leonel was waiting for. Once permission was granted, Ester became more arrogant and behaved like Ruthen in the large house that Chloe lived in.
"But it's okay if you stay in the room. Besides, it's useless for you to be around here. Dangerous. You might fall and cause trouble."
Chloe remained silent, not wanting to say anything to Ester.
"You're just ruining the view for me. Just go back to your room. Leonel will be home soon. You're useless anyway. You can't take care of him properly. You can't even serve your husband with good eyesight, let alone now," Ester said with sarcasm. There was a sense of satisfaction every time those harsh words were uttered, especially when she saw Chloe becoming more helpless.
It was her fault for agreeing to this ridiculous arranged marriage with Leonel. He was forever hers. Her love. Her sweetheart. She didn't care about being called a home wrecker. In her eyes, Chloe was the one who destroyed their love story. And now, she would reclaim what Chloe had damaged.
"I don't understand," Chloe strolled, not caring if her steps were correct. The tap of her cane indicated that there was nothing to worry about. Once again, she took a step. She hoped to get closer to Ester. "Here, am I the host, or are you?"
Ester burst into laughter immediately. "Are you... still sane?"
Chloe remained still. She continued her words. "Remember one thing, Ester Gisella. If it weren't for my permission, you wouldn't be able to enter the Hartono family. I am still the legal wife of Leonel Grisham. And you..." Chloe didn't care if her pointed finger was aimed directly at Ester's face. "You're just an outsider who satisfies my husband's desires. Without my consent, your so-called legitimate marriage would never exist."
"You!!!" Ester exclaimed in frustration. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Her breath was heavy, and she felt the urge to slap the woman standing in front of her. Even her finger was still pointing there.
"Never forget that I picked you up from the street." Chloe quickly lowered her hand. She tried hard to suppress her anger. Ester's words became more and more unbearable day by day. Not to mention, her ears were not yet deaf to hear the intimacy that happened between her husband and this serpent woman.
"Chloe," someone called, causing Chloe to turn towards the source of the voice. "It's Mama, dear."
Her anger vanished immediately. It was replaced with a genuine smile for the woman approaching her. Her arm received a gentle touch, and she could smell Agatha Theodore's perfume, her mother-in-law's.
"What are you two doing?" Agatha asked suspiciously.
"Nothing, Ma," Chloe quickly interjected. "Just discussing Leonel's visitation schedule. Right, Ester?"
Chloe didn't care if Ester's growl reached her ears. If only her eyes could see usually, she would surely be grinning with satisfaction at Ester's defeat in their conversation. But like this, she felt it was enough to convey her position.
"Is Mama just arriving?" Chloe broke the sudden silence.
"Yes, just now." Agatha looked at Chloe with a gentle gaze, which was in stark contrast when her eyes shifted to the tall and elegant woman nearby. "Mama bought your favorite low-sugar cookies. Come and taste them," she invited as she led Chloe away from Ester. That woman truly made her heart race.
How could her beloved son fall in love with a woman who resembled Medusa? She couldn't understand. And Chloe, she couldn't grasp her thoughts at all. She even asked Leonel to formalize their affair and bring Ester to live here. Agatha gave a scornful look at Ester, who also stared back at her future mother-in-law with a resentful gaze. She didn't care if Agatha didn't like her. Since the beginning, Agatha had never approved of their relationship, right? But now, Ester chose to find a new way to make Agatha submit to her.
Just wait, foolish Mother-in-Law. That's what she thought. Ester lets Chloe be showered with sympathy from Agatha. The time would come for them to know who Ester Gisella indeed was here. And also in Leonel Grisham's heart.
Ester couldn't wait to continue her grand plan. A cunning smirk unconsciously appeared on her face. Her eyes gazed at the backs of the two women she would soon destroy. "Enjoy your time together," she whispered.