[130] c
“Have Mama and Papa arrived yet?” Chloe asked when she returned to the corridor where they had met Chris. He was still sitting there, occasionally busy with his phone and engaged in a serious conversation.
“Not yet. They’re still on their way.”
Chloe nodded in understanding. “Has Leonel… regained consciousness?” she asked cautiously. Her eyes glanced towards the open door. She felt there might be a visit from the medical team to reexamine Leonel’s condition.
“He has.”
Chloe let out a slow breath. “But why are you here, Mr. Chris? Aren’t you accompanying Leonel?”
“The medical team is observing Leonel’s leg, Chloe. There’s a significant fracture in his shin.”
The woman exclaimed in surprise. “Is it serious?”
“We’ll wait for the doctor’s update.”
“Will I be allowed to go in?”
Chris looked at Chloe with a furrowed brow. “Are you kidding? Leonel would be happy to be visited by you, Chloe.”
Chloe’s smile turned awkward.
“Sometimes I feel so sorry for Leonel’s life lately. Especially since he chose to separate from you,” Chris said to Chloe. Not receiving a response from the woman beside him, Chris continued, “Although that separation was partly due to Leonel facilitating your decision back then.”
Chloe furrowed her brows in confusion. She didn’t understand why Chris suddenly brought up this topic.
“And then?” Chloe asked again.
“After you separated, we all know that Leonel was also preoccupied with Mountain. You know what happened, right?”
Chloe chose to nod.
“After everything was revealed, Leonel did plan to get closer to you again. At least he wanted to apologize and improve himself.”
“I’ve heard those words from him many times, Mr. Chris,” Chloe said with a hint of displeasure. “But there has never been any evidence until now. Ah, maybe until the past week.”
Chris chuckled as he listened to Chloe’s words. “Leonel chose to stay in the company and prioritize Mountain. That’s Leonel’s selfishness, Chloe. There’s a great fear of rejection when he thinks about you. His days are filled with regret for his decision to separate from you. Even since he chose to separate from you, Leonel hasn’t thought about Ester anymore. It’s not because Ester is now in jail.” Chris paused, observing Chloe’s silent reaction to his words.
“Everything that Leonel is fighting for is indeed too late, Chloe. But as his closest person, I can’t just blame him like that. He carries a great responsibility on his shoulders with Mountain in his hands. There are thousands of people working under Mountain. You know that, right? If he doesn’t fight to stabilize Mountain, what will happen to all of them? Although, he had to let go of something. And that’s you.”
Chloe sighed. “When was he ever not busy? I can count it on my fingers. Throughout our five years together, did he ever think about me? Ah, I was foolish. He was having fun with other women, wasn’t he?” Chloe laughed bitterly. “So, if you now tell me how great his struggles are, what about me?”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
Chris fell silent.
That also made the atmosphere awkward and quiet.
“Leonel just wants one chance to show his determination, Chloe,” Chris said softly.
“Are you sure about what you just said?” Chloe asked Chris, who now nodded firmly.
“Of course, I’m sure about what I said. Besides, Leonel always tells me everything he feels, especially his feelings for you. His work takes up much of his time, but he always thinks of ways to be close to you. Unfortunately, Mountain needs Leonel. Layson Group’s actions have forced Leonel to make many difficult decisions. I don’t expect your understanding. But that’s the reality,” Chris said firmly.
No, he didn’t expect anything from what he just said. He didn’t want to disturb Chloe’s happiness because he had witnessed Chloe’s closeness with another man. If destiny doesn’t bring Chloe and Leonel together, Chris can’t force anything.
Chloe remained silent and tried to digest what Chris had said to her. Doubts began to creep back into her heart. Had she made the right choice? To stay with Darren or go back to Leonel? Especially after hearing Chris’ explanation, Chloe felt Leonel truly regretted his actions.
Moreover, Leonel’s words in the hospital room kept echoing in her mind.
“But unfortunately, I’m hesitant to give Leonel another chance. Because I feel that if someone has hurt you before, they will likely hurt you again. That’s why I choose to stay with Darren. Am I wrong in thinking this?” Chloe asked Chris, who was suddenly silent upon hearing her words.
“I can’t guarantee your future with Leonel. Is he truly remorseful for his past actions? Will he avoid repeating the same mistakes? I don’t know, and I can’t ensure you won’t be hurt again,” Chris said wisely. “Now, it’s all up to you, Chloe. You’re the one who knows where your heart wants to spend the rest of your life.”
The cup of tea Tia made for her this time remained untouched. She wore a long coat to cover her thin sleepwear. The air that brushed against her skin was enough to make her hair stand on end, but she ignored it. Her mind was full. The alternating pressures she felt this time made her chest feel constricted as if being choked by large, suffocating hands. She still remembered the events at the hospital, especially her argument with Darren.
Chloe thought Darren could somewhat understand her, but she was wrong. No, Chloe didn’t blame Darren entirely. She had a part to play in this, as she initiated it. Considering the closeness between Agatha and Robby, she should have kept her distance, which could lead to prolonged misunderstandings.
At the hospital a few hours ago.
“Chloe,” someone called out with a familiar voice. Chloe immediately turned toward the source of the sound. It was Agatha Theodore, accompanied by a familiar figure-Robby Grisham. Chloe greeted them both warmly, and Agatha immediately hugged Chloe tightly, tears streaming down her face.
“Leonel, Chloe. Leonel,” she said between sobs.
“Yes, Ma. Stay strong, Ma. I believe Leonel is strong enough to get through all of this.”