Initially, she was angry. Angry at God for toying with her heart. Her grandparents were her example of a harmonious couple, even until death separated them three years ago. They remained loyal to each other, complemented, and never had Chloe witnessed any arguments. She was not yet blind to their affection.
Unlike herself and Leonel.
Meanwhile, Leonel stared at Chloe with a skeptical gaze. Then he shook his head, both amazed and annoyed, and said, "You? Don't you need my help? If you want to commit suicide, don't do it in this house."
Chloe didn't flinch. Her eyes were still fixed on her interlocutor. "I'm just enjoying the night air. You're the one making a fuss about me being on the edge," Chloe pointed with her index finger. Quickly, she grabbed the cane she knew was next to her. At least the club was her loyal companion this time. She promptly stood up, regardless of Leonel's piercing gaze.
She scoffed. When did Leonel last look at Chloe as if she wasn't trash before him?
"I want to sleep. This is my room, right?" Chloe moved slowly. She used the end of the cane she had learned during therapy as her guide. She tapped around to avoid missteps. Right at the sofa's edge, Chloe pointed to the door, instructing Leonel to leave her room. "The door is over there, Mr. Leonel."
"You!"
Chloe didn't care.
Leonel clenched his fist tightly. His gaze was sharp as he stared at Chloe. Despite pressing the gas pedal hard, disregarding his safety on the way home from the bar, he was fortunate that Chris stopped him from drinking too much. So, Leonel's concentration was still intact. But what did he get when he arrived home, and half ran, without considering how many steps he leaped just to reach the balcony of Chloe's main bedroom? What did he get?
This woman truly tested Leonel's patience.
Before Leonel left the room, he said, "I'll have Chris handle the divorce immediately. You know, the Grisham family lawyers work very quickly. I'll let you do as you please. In the end, what I want will be accomplished."
No matter what Leonel had been through with Chloe, it couldn't be called a good relationship. Chloe had never given a mocking smile like this. That smirk appeared so insignificant on her seemingly innocent face. Even without makeup, Leonel had to admit that Chloe's face was attractive enough. Her dimpled chin and oval face shape were unique charms that Chloe possessed.
"Just sign it first. After I'm satisfied, I'll sign it."
Leonel slowly loosened his tightened jaw. It was replaced by confusion due to Chloe's earlier statement. "What do you mean?"
"Surely you'll soon marry your lover legally, right?"
"You don't need to ask that," Leonel replied quickly.
"You know," Chloe felt the edge of the sofa and believed she could sit there even if only leaning. "Mom said she wants to get close to your lover. Before you two officially get married, Ester can come to the house often and meet Mom. I can't let your lover feel awkward in this house."
Leonel's brow furrowed deeper. He thought Chloe was planning something. But what she said was true. Ester could only enter this house by getting acquainted with her mother first. Besides, Leonel knew that Ester and his mother had never been close. Perhaps Chloe's assistance was indeed necessary.
His soon-to-be ex-wife was something else.
"You don't need to overthink, Mr. Leonel, the honorable—"
"Stop calling me that," Leonel quickly warned. He didn't like how Chloe always used a new form of address to mock him whenever they spoke now. Chloe seemed to have a split personality that annoyed him almost every time.
"Oh, you don't like it?" Chloe asked mockingly. "You are indeed honorable, Mr. Leonel. So honorable that you forget how to show respect."
"Chloe Delilah," Leonel called, unable to take it anymore. He stood up from his seat, which he hadn't moved from earlier. Even after the eviction, he still lingered there for some reason. "Don't cross your boundaries."
"No," Chloe chuckled. "I'm just asserting something."
The sound of Leonel's heavy footsteps and the audible teeth grinding reached Chloe's ears, indicating that he was rushing out of the room. She didn't feel guilty. She was expressing the reality around her, after all. So she didn't need to worry.
Before those steps ultimately left her room, Chloe said, "You should consider my offer, Leonel. You need my signature for our divorce papers, don't you?"
"What do you want, Chloe?" Leonel turned around. Unable to tolerate his wife's behavior, he felt he had gone too far; he gripped the sides of Chloe's face. He knew his eyes couldn't see the anger within him, but Leonel knew that Chloe realized he had unleashed a strong aura of intimidation to confront her. "You're the one who wanted this divorce. In case you forgot."
Maybe five years ago, if Leonel had done this to her, Chloe would undoubtedly cry and beg for forgiveness. Somehow, that no longer applied to her. The weak Chloe had disappeared. In her chest burned the fire of frustration and immense disappointment. And she felt Leonel should experience the same thing. So, she roughly brushed off Leonel's hand, not caring if part of her cheek felt sore from the pressure earlier. "I can't possibly forget your dream, Leonel. But it seems my help is needed." She gently stroked her slightly reddened cheek. "Mom talked to me. She won't approve of your relationship unless I persuade her to soften her attitude towards Ester."
Leonel clenched his jaw. His eyes stared fiercely at Chloe. He would have done it earlier if he could destroy that seemingly innocent face.
"You'll probably thank me later, Leonel. Consider it as repayment for five years of how you treated me in this house well, good enough."
Leonel was speechless.
"Now," Chloe pointed again to the door that had been open since earlier. "Get out. I want to rest."