Chloe waited patiently, expressing her feelings and carefully listening to the doctor’s words, including Darren’s presence beside her. Her eyes were getting used to the bright light that entered the room. At first, she could only see the vivid primary colors, but now she could make out silhouettes with faint shadows.


    “What Chloe is experiencing is normal for her recovery. The unfamiliarity of the eye muscles’ function can cause sudden headaches,” Darren exined to the middle-aged woman who never left Chloe’s side. He held the woman’s hand, noticing her smile that never faded from her beautiful face.


    “Thank goodness,” Agatha sighed with relief. “I was worried something undesirable might happen to Chloe, Doctor.”Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Darren understood her concern. “No, it’s normal. She has been trained to be outdoors but shouldn’t push herself too hard. The nerves that affect the head also originate from the eyes.”


    “Thank you, Doctor,” Chloe said with a sincere smile. “At least my recovery process is progressing.”


    “I believe you will recover soon, Chloe. Seeing so many things around you again, right?”


    Chloe nodded quickly.


    “For now, it’s better for you to rest. Refrain from exerting yourself too much and maintain a healthy diet. That’s all. I don’t rmend any medication.”


    Dr. Pa agreed with Darren. The Grisham family’s doctor only suggested vitamins and headache relief if Chloe’s pain became too strong.


    Everyone in Chloe’s hospital room appeared happy except for Leonel. Since Darren’s arrival, instantly bing the center of attention and the doctor’s gaze directed at his wife, he felt an intense dislike. He repeatedly wanted to remove Darren’s hand, which casually touched his wife. But he couldn’t do anything except watch them all.


    Although there was a sense of happiness creeping into his heart hearing Darren and Pa talking about Chloe’s recovery, the intense dislike remained. Even when Darren and Pa said their goodbyes, Leonel didn’t say much. He nodded briefly, urging them all to leave Chloe’s room immediately.


    Even his mother should leave if necessary because he wanted to talk to Chloe privately.


    But that wouldn’t be possible. Leo’s mother was diligent and very attentive to Chloe.


    “Why is Mama so easily fond of Chloe? She’s an outsider, isn’t she?” Leonel asked one sunny day, a month after their extravagant wedding.


    Agathaughed when asked such a question. It made Leonel feel even more unhappy. What’s the difference between Ester and Chloe? They bothe from outside the Grisham family. Chloe couldn’t hold a candle to Ester if they could bepared. But why did everyone so easily ept Chloe’s presence?


    “You’re being foolish, Leonel,” Agatha lightly patted Leonel’s shoulder. “Chloe is a woman who can easily make people fall in love with her. Have you seen her do anything strange? When Mama first got to know her, it wasn’t easy because Chloe was quite reserved, but once Mama became close to her, there was a lot to talk about.”


    Leonel still couldn’t find the corrtion between Chloe’s eptance within the Grisham family and his mother’s words.


    “Chloe is the type of woman who has her thoughts but doesn’t force herself. She quickly adapts, and you know how your cousins, uncles, and aunts are, right?”


    He sighed softly. What his mother said was true, but why wasn’t Ester given the same opportunity?


    “Do you still want topare her to Ester?”


    Wasn’t that a low blow?


    “If so, Mama can only say that Ester is no match for Chloe, Leonel. Chloe is a woman who takes care of herself. She appears friendly and easy to approach, but that’s not the case. If you’re observant, you’ll know which woman is truly good for you as a wife. Or are they just there tofort you?”


    Those words echoed in Leonel’s ears. His hands were entwined, contemting his mother’s words from years ago. There were indeed many things he overlooked about Chloe. And he began to realize it since the ident happened to his wife. When Chloe started bing distant and uncaring, he felt lost. But dear God! Why was Leonel like this now?


    “Mom, you’ve said enough.” Leonel finally approached Chloe’s bed, touching his mother’s shoulder, who had been talking a lot with Chloe. Even though Chloe responded enthusiastically, she still needed rest, right?


    “Oh my, Mama got carried away talking. You’re right, Chloe. I’ll leave first. You just. Don’t tire yourself out. Take your vitamins, okay? We’ll go for a walk in gardenter this afternoon?”


    Chloe didn’t like this situation. Where Leonel seemed to have the most authority over her, yet, she was having a casual conversation with Mama Agatha. Why did it have to be interrupted? She woke upter than usual today. So what else was there to say about resting? Sleeping all the time? Boring.


    “It’s okay, Ma. Stay here with Chloe. Do you have any errands to run?”


    Chloe asked while holding her mother-inw’s hand.


    This made Agatha smile cheerfully. “I don’t.”


    “Ma, let Chloe rest.” Leonel’s words were firmer this time. “Mama forgot that Papa asked to apany him to a meeting today, right?”


    Agatha knew that Leonel had been restless watching Chloe’s closeness with Darren. She intentionally did this to show Leonel that his wife was precious. Even before being formally released by Leonel, someone was already admiring Chloe. Regardless of what others said about her, Agatha was confident that Darren liked her daughter-inw.


    It wasn’t that Agatha was giving permission for Chloe to have a rtionship with Darren outside, which could cause gossip for the Grisham family since they were always in the spotlight. But she could still silence social media with her influence as long as her son realized one thing: never y around with the woman he married. Once they parted ways due to divorce, he could have suffered severe consequences. Not the other way around.


    “I think you’re right, Mama,” Leonel said.


    Agatha’s words made Chloe grimace and look at Leonel in frustration. Regardless of whether his disapproval was evident in front of his mother-inw, Leonel was indeed going too far. He still wanted to talk to Agatha about many things, but why was he being pushed aside instead? What did Leonel want? Couldn’t he go to work or visit Ester?


    Chloe had be numb to Leonel doing whatever he pleased in front of her.


    “Mom, excuse us for a moment, please, Chloe.”


    There was nothing Chloe could do except let out a soft sigh. “Yes, Ma. Take care, okay? I’m sorry I can’t escort you downstairs, Ma.”


    “Ugh. I’d be angry if you did that.” Then Agatha nced at her son, who remained faithfully by her side. Through the corner of her eye, Agatha could see Leonel’s gaze was constantly fixed on Chloe, who now had a sulky expression. “Aren’t you going to the office, Leonel?”


    Agatha’s question made Leonel clear his throat briefly. “No, Ma. There’s no important meeting, and everything can be managed from home.”


    “What do you want to do at home, then?” Agatha wanted tough, but she held back. She still restrained herself from seeing her son’s prideful nature.


    Since the ident, Leonel had been spending more time at home, observing Chloe even though she remained distant and rigid. What surprised Agatha was when Chloe asked for Ester toe to their home. No one could stop her stubborn daughter-inw, including Agatha.


    But there was still something Agatha could save before the two of them officially signed the divorce papers, right?


    “Take care of Chloe,” Leonel said firmly. “I have to take care of my wife when she’s sick. Isn’t that right, Ma?”


    Agatha smiled even moreprehensively, nodding, her heart refreshed by the petals of many flowers. Seeing her son’s marriage exactly as she experienced it with Robby felt so blissful. But.


    “Only when she’s sick, Leonel?” Chloe asked in the softest tone possible. “But don’t you know how much pain I’ve endured for a long time? Don’t you realize it? Or have you intentionally forgotten what you’ve done to me?” Chloe looked at her mother-inw. She would apologize a thousand times if she knew and could see Agatha’s expression. Leonel was at fault in Chloe’s eyes, but in a mother’s eyes, a child was still a child. She expressed her apology through her blurry vision, unable to see Agatha clearly.


    “I won’t forget the pieces of happiness that I had because you shattered them with so much pain in my heart, Leonel. Forgive me, Ma. But that’s what I’ve experienced with Mas Leonel.” No matter if her tears fell again. The tightness in her chest was painful, but it was even more painful if she didn’t express what she had wanted to say to Leonel for a long time.


    “So if you’re taking care of me now because of this situation, you’re only worsening the situation between us, Leonel.” Chloe tried to strengthen herself. “It’s better if you prepare and sign our divorce papers soon. I don’t want to tolerate it any longer. I initially wanted to fully recover and have Ester enter the Grisham family, at least be epted properly, not just because I know it’s not easy to enter the Grisham family with a goodbel.”


    Leonel fell silent, as did Agatha. Their teary eyes stared at their daughter-inw.


    “But I think… it will only make me sink further. I don’t want to dy it any longer. Please, Leonel. Prepare and sign.”