Patricia nodded.
“My relationship with Dylan, Chloe’s father, was never approved by his parents from the beginning. Perhaps because I wasn’t wealthy or noble like them. When Nathalie and Chloe were born, we were separated. I heard that both my children were even placed in an orphanage.” Patricia recounted with teary eyes. It hurt so much to remember the past events that had befallen her small family. “I was even banished far outside London. Luckily, one of Mrs. Victoria’s bodyguards showed compassion and spared my life, going against orders. He chose to set me free, but with the condition that I must not resurface, or my life would be taken as a consequence.”
“Oh my God!” Edward couldn’t help but exclaim in frustration mixed with sadness upon hearing his mother-in-law’s story.
“For years, I lived in Milan, Italy. Three years ago, I returned to London. I was struggling because I didn’t have much money, and by chance, I met Sisilia.” Patricia looked at Sisilia again, reaching for the woman’s wrist and holding it tightly. “She helped me. She offered me a place to stay in her apartment. And now, she kindly rents a separate unit for me so I can have more freedom. Truly, I don’t know how to repay her.”
“Why don’t you just meet Chloe or Mr. Dylan?” Edward asked. “I believe they can help and protect you as they should.”
Patricia shook her head.
“No… It’s not that easy, dear. I’m afraid my appearance could endanger Nathalie and Chloe’s lives. I don’t want my children to become victims of Victoria’s henchmen.”
“But Mrs. Victoria has been dead for a long time, Mom.”
“Unfortunately, even though the old lady has rotted away and merged with the earth, her people still pursue me. Before she took her last breath, she apparently knew that I wasn’t dead as she had believed all this time. That’s why she still sent her trusted men to chase me, ensuring that I die by their hands.”
Edward was shocked to learn this reality. Unconsciously, he whispered softly.
“Really?”
Patricia nodded.
“Last year, when I tried to search for the whereabouts of Nathalie and Chloe, a group of people, I don’t know where they came from, suddenly chased me and even tried to capture me. By God, I was almost caught. Luckily, someone helped me, and I managed to escape. This is why I couldn’t freely search for my two children.”
“Oh, my God…” Edward muttered softly. Being in Patricia’s shoes was not easy. Separated from her two biological children, kidnapped, and even attempted to be killed. Now, in the remaining days of her life, she couldn’t breathe easy as her life was still at risk.
“I can help you, Mom,” Edward said confidently. He was sure of what he was saying. “I’ll take you to my house to meet Chloe. I promise no one will hurt you.”
Patricia laughed bitterly, uncertain about Edward’s offer. “Honestly, now I don’t care about my life. I just don’t want my two children to get hurt. If I meet Nathalie and Chloe, they might be in danger.”
“Hold on…” Edward interrupted. “Nathalie? Doesn’t Mama know anything about Nathalie’s whereabouts?”
Patricia raised both of her eyebrows. “What’s wrong with Nathalie? Is she okay?”
Edward took a deep breath. It turned out that his mother-in-law had no idea about the news concerning her eldest daughter. Now, how could Edward break the news to Patricia without hurting her?
“Actually, I don’t have the authority to tell you about this news. But I think Mama should know that Nathalie passed away a few years ago.”
Patricia was shocked. Tears fell uncontrollably down her cheeks. Separated for years, when she had the chance to reunite, she had to accept the bitter news that her eldest daughter was no longer in this world. “You’re kidding, Son.”
Edward shook his head slowly. “By God, I never joke about someone’s life.”
“But why did Nathalie pass away? Was she sick? An accident? Or something terrible happened to her?” Patricia asked, sobbing.
Edward took a deep breath. He couldn’t tell the truth about what happened to his sister-in-law while she was in such a fragile state. Besides, he hadn’t confirmed the cause of Nathalie’s death yet. “The story is long, Mom. But I promise to tell you everything when you’re in a better condition.”
Sisilia, who had been silent all along, approached and reached for Patricia’s shoulders, embracing her tightly to console her in her sorrow.
“Be patient. Maybe it was God’s will,” Sisilia said.
“Indeed, Mom,” Edward added. “That’s why, since there’s still a chance to meet Chloe, why should we avoid it? I promise to protect both of you.”
Patricia wiped the tears from her cheeks and took several deep breaths, considering Edward’s offer. “Alright, I’ll comply with your request. But give me some time first. Maybe you can pick me up next week.”
Edward nodded in agreement, a smile returning to his lips. At least now he had a card to use to win Chloe’s heart in the future.
****
“Chloe Arley, why are you so hard to reach? Do you want to play games with me?”
This afternoon, during lunchtime, Damian Dimitri had visited the hotel owned by the Arley family. He casually walked into Chloe’s office while voicing his protest.
Since the night when Edward suddenly fell ill, Chloe hadn’t contacted him again. Not without reason. She just didn’t want to raise Edward’s suspicion with all the signals she was showing. Moreover, Damian always wanted to meet her at night.
“Sir, could you please be more polite?” Samuel, who happened to be in the room, immediately stood up. He was very annoyed by Damian’s behavior, which he felt lacked courtesy towards a woman.
“Sam…” Chloe called out, gesturing to her assistant to sit back down.
“What exactly do you want to talk to me about?” Chloe narrowed her eyes. “I can’t just meet you whenever I want; that would raise suspicions.”
“Tsk!” Damian clicked his tongue. He pulled a chair and sat down. “Let’s get straight to the point about our plan yesterday.” Before he finished speaking, he glanced at Sam and said, “But before I tell you, please ask your assistant to leave. I only want to talk to you privately.”
“You-”
“Sam!” Chloe shouted, looking at her assistant intently, signaling him to control his emotions. “It’s okay. Please leave for a moment.”
“But, ma’am-”
“Sam…” Chloe interrupted her assistant’s sentence once again. “I’ll be fine.”
With an annoyed expression, Samuel complied with Chloe’s command. He walked out of the room, leaving his boss to continue the conversation.
“So, quickly tell me what you want to say? I don’t have much time to waste with you,” Chloe said with a stern expression.
Damian laughed. He actually enjoyed partnering with someone as cold as Chloe.
“Alright, I don’t want to linger either. I just want to inform you about a big meeting that Quantum and Emaar Properties will hold in a few days. I only need a little help from you to mess up everything.”
“What do you mean?” Chloe inquired.
Damian smiled meaningfully. “I want to collect on your promise to help me sabotage what Edward has painstakingly put together in the past few days.”
“Is that all?” Chloe asked, still maintaining her cool demeanor.
Now Damian nodded. A vengeful grin appeared on his handsome face. “Of course. Even what you’ll do later will have a domino effect that will shatter Edward to his lowest point. I’m sure this plan will make him fall and struggle to rise again.”
Chloe didn’t waste many words and simply extended her hand, considering Damian’s request clear enough.
“Okay, I’ll do as you asked. After that, let’s pretend we don’t know each other.”
“Deal!”