"Drive carefully, Honey."
Chloe's voice suddenly filled Leonel's head, causing him to withdraw his hand from Ester's body. This made Ester look at him with confusion.
"Why, Darling?"
"Oh, nothing. I suddenly remembered that I have a morning meeting," Leonel quickly turned the car key and started driving. But his mind kept cursing the echoing voice of Chloe. Why was he suddenly thinking about his wife? When he arrived at the office and asked his driver to take Ester wherever she wanted, Leonel still had not found the answer.
It was too sudden for him.
In their five years of marriage, which was incredibly dull, Chloe had never once crossed his mind as he walked through life. He considered everything about Chloe as fleeting. A decoration that didn't exist at all in his wheel of life. For Leonel, there was only the office and Ester. Chloe was only present when necessary, especially regarding family and business colleagues. Everyone knew they were a harmonious couple.
Leonel didn't want to tarnish his image.
What about the rest? Chloe was just a figure in the luxurious house he had built for his family. Considering the meaning of family for Leonel now, it was all in vain. What did he want in this chaotic married life with Chloe?
But now? Why did Chloe suddenly interrupt him? Was it because he felt sorry for her? Ah yes. That made perfect sense. Pity because the accident started with him, right? Yes, that was right. At least that thought could help him concentrate, although he had a bit of worry because Peni hadn't sent any news about Chloe.
Until lunchtime, Peni still hadn't given any updates. "What the hell is a maid's job?" Leonel cursed, glancing at his phone several times. He immediately searched for Peni's contact and made a call. It didn't take long for Peni to respond. "Where are you?" Leonel asked impatiently.
"At... at home, sir."
Leonel frowned. Today was Chloe's schedule to schedule the hospital. He also knew that Chloe was usually accompanied by Adrianna for therapy, along with Peni. But why was Peni at home? Did that mean it was only Chloe and Adrianna? Leonel didn't doubt Adrianna's presence beside Chloe. Ever since Adrianna learned about Leonel's infidelity and the meaninglessness of his marriage with Chloe, war drums sounded in her eyes. Adrianna looked at Leonel like he was a virus to be avoided.
"Has she come back yet?" Based on his observation, since Chloe started attending therapy, she should have arrived home by now.
"Not yet, sir."
The anger grew stronger in Leonel's mind. "Your employer hasn't returned, but you're already at home? How is that possible, Peni?"
"Uh, well, ma'am Chloe—"
"Speak clearly!" Leonel scolded.
"Ma'am went with Miss Adrianna. I wasn't allowed to come along. She told me to rest."
If Leonel had kept talking to Peni, he might have cursed at her already. He quickly ended the call before venting his emotions. After he felt somewhat calm, although still agitated because his wife hadn't returned home, he searched for Chloe's contact again.
Several calls went unanswered, which only made Leonel angrier. Previously, he had never felt irritated just because Chloe ignored his calls. He had never been missed. On the contrary, he was the one who often missed Chloe. Not often, but almost every day before.
"Damn it!" Leonel cursed after his repeated calls received no response. Reluctantly, very reluctantly, Leonel slid the green screen when his fingers found Adrianna's contact on his phone.
It didn't take long for the call to connect.
"What?" the owner of the voice asked brusquely.
"Where's Chloe?" Leonel didn't want to beat around the bush with Adrianna either.
"Don't you know therapy can't be disturbed?" Adrianna's voice still sounded curt.
"Why hasn't she come back? She should have come back, right?"
Adrianna hesitated. "The therapy will be finished in another hour."
Originally, Leonel wanted to say something, but he distinctly heard Chloe's laughter there. And the unfamiliar voice in his ear, although his heart believed it was the doctor taking care of Chloe. He had never accompanied Chloe to therapy all this time. He relied only on reports from Peni and details about his wife's progress.
"I'm glad you can be happy like this, Mrs. Chloe," the man there said. For some reason, she was hearing that made Leonel even more annoyed.
"Thank you. Thanks to the patient-doctor helping me," Chloe's voice sounded cheerful.
"By chance, I have some free time after this therapy. Shall we talk at the coffee shop?"
Leonel's eyes widened. He repeatedly stared at his phone screen in disbelief. "Damn it!" Then he quickly grabbed his blazers and car keys and ensured he remembered his wallet. As he passed Deborah's desk, he said, "If someone is looking for me, tell them I'm at the hospital. I have to meet my mother there."
Deborah, who was working on a report, blinked but quickly nodded. "Alright, sir." Not complying with Leonel's request could ruin her career. She still valued the paycheck she received every month. Even after the boss's broad back disappeared behind the corridor, Deborah was still busy digesting his message. "Hospital? Mother? Is Mrs. Chloe sick again?" Deborah was astonished by her thoughts. "Oh my God, protect Mrs. Chloe. She's a good person."
Leonel didn't care if he was cursed throughout the way to the hospital. His mind was filled with the proposition of another man to his wife. "Damn it!" he cursed. He remembered everything Chloe had been doing to him lately. "What do you want, huh?!"