“I love you… Want you with all my heart. Even if God plans to separate us, I will do my best to persuade Him not to do it.”
Hugging Chloe’s body, Edward chuckled softly. This morning, when he woke up from sleep, she couldn’t stop hugging and kissing him. Acting all affectionate, like a woman who desperately wants to be loved. She had been showering him with sweet gestures countless times. It was nothing like the usual Chloe.
“How many more times do you need to say that? No need to repeat, my love. I know now that you truly love me,” he replied, gently kissing his wife’s forehead. He found her behavior this morning both adorable and exasperating.
“You know, Ed?” She tilted her head and asked. “I feel so foolish for often ignoring you and arrogantly rejecting you before.”
Edward laughed again. “So, you’ve truly fallen in love with me now?”
Confidently, Chloe nodded. The long-haired woman was no longer ashamed to admit that she was head over heels for him now. “Maybe it’s more than just falling in love,” she confessed. “Or perhaps I’m simply crazy about you. Ah… no… no. It seems like I’m experiencing karma.”
Laughter once again erupted from Edward’s lips. “I love you and our future child,” he replied. “I’ll do anything to make both of you happy.”
Chloe beamed with a wide smile. “I believe in all your promises, Ed.” The next thing she did was wrap her arms around Edward. Pulling him close, she whispered teasingly in his ear, “It doesn’t seem like a problem if we have some morning sex before deciding to take a shower.”
Laughter reverberated from Edward’s lips. If his wife wanted to repeat the passionate activity they had last night, why not?
Enthusiastically, Edward fulfilled Chloe’s request. When everything was satisfied, fatigue began to set in. Still in their naked state, Edward suddenly remembered something.
“Oh, yes,” Edward spoke. “Today, both of us have to go to court.”
Chloe looked up, her eyebrows furrowing together. She was curious about the reason for going to the court.
“What is the court for?” she asked.
Edward had previously mentioned that he took the day off work to attend to other matters, but Chloe only found out now that they were going to court.
“There’s a sentencing hearing today where the judge will deliver the verdict for Damian,” he replied.
As she heard her husband’s response, Chloe’s face immediately darkened. Memories of all the inappropriate behavior Damian had subjected her to resurfaced, causing deep fear to well up inside her.
“Hey… don’t be scared,” Edward reassured her as he noticed her growing fear. “You’ll be alright. I’ll always protect you. Besides, Damian has been arrested. I guarantee he’ll rot in jail for a long time.”
Chloe remained silent, choosing instead to bury her head in Edward’s broad chest. Her body trembled as she remembered the events from some time ago.
“My love…” he called out to her again. “Nothing will happen to you. So, you don’t need to worry or be afraid.”
“But I can’t bear to see that man,” Chloe whispered softly. “Even just thinking about him makes me feel disgusted with my own body.”
Edward let out a soft sigh, understanding that Chloe was still deeply traumatized. It was heart-wrenching to realize that his wife had been subjected to harassment by another man right in front of him.
“Alright then, you don’t have to come. I’ll go to the court with Hans. While I’m there, do you want me to take you to your father’s house?”
Chloe looked up again and nodded. “It’s better if I go with Mama and Papa to visit Nathalie’s grave today. They were planning to go there anyway, and I want to spend some time with Mama.”
“Okay,” Edward agreed. “In that case, let’s get ready now. After breakfast, I’ll take you straight to your father’s house.”
Before they could get down from the car, Chloe whispered again, “Ed… thank you for all the unexpected surprises you’ve given me. I owe you so much.”
“Why talk about debts?” Edward cupped Chloe’s face with both hands. “It’s my duty to do all this. You don’t need to worry about repaying me. Just stay with me until we grow old together.”
Chloe nodded in understanding. That meant she didn’t need to worry about anything now.
****
Edward parked the car in the courtyard of the Arley family’s mansion. They still had 30 minutes before going to the court, following Hans, who had arrived earlier.
Exiting the car, the white-skinned man promptly escorted his wife to the front door. There, Dylan was waiting, throwing smiles and giving warm hugs to both of them in turn.
“Papa thought you wouldn’t stop by this morning,” the man mumbled.
“Of course, I wouldn’t forget, Pa,” Chloe replied. She turned around and embraced her husband tightly before he walked away from her.
“Be careful on the road. When everything is done, don’t forget to call me immediately. You know, during pregnancy, I can’t stand being far away from you for too long.”
Edward nodded. He planted a long kiss on Chloe’s forehead and replied, “Don’t worry. After everything is done, I’ll come to pick you up right away. You also need to take care of yourself and remember not to overexert.”
Edward then shifted his gaze to Dylan, who stood faithfully by his wife’s side.
“I’ll take care of Chloe, Pa. If anything happens, just contact me immediately.”
Dylan smiled kindly. He couldn’t have chosen a better husband for his only daughter. It was evident that Edward was a responsible and loving man, caring for Chloe wholeheartedly.
“Don’t worry. Your wife will be safe with me. You don’t need to worry about her,” Dylan assured him.
Edward then left, while Chloe got ready to leave with Dylan and Patricia. They had planned to visit Nathalie’s grave today and then spend time having lunch together.
“Chloe, this time I’m coming with Papa and Mama,” Chloe said.
She placed a bouquet of white roses that she specially brought to put on her sister’s grave. Throughout her life, Nathalie had been fond of various types of flowers. Even the garden of their house was filled with her favorite plants, which were still well-maintained and kept tidy.
“This time, I brought you the roses you once planted not far from the swimming pool. I’m sure you’ll like them.”
Patricia could no longer hold back her tears. It was heartbreaking that after being separated for so long, when they finally had the chance to be together, she had to face the reality that her eldest daughter was no longer with them.
“Mama misses you, my dear,” Patricia cried. It was painful to imagine that she couldn’t be by her daughter’s side when they might have needed her. “Forgive Mama for not being there to accompany you and listen to your grievances.”
Chloe immediately reached out and hugged her mother tightly.
“Nathalie is at peace now, Ma. I’m sure she’s watching over us from heaven.”
Patricia turned to look at Chloe. “Mama feels so guilty. If only I had always been by your side, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
Dylan brought his right hand to gently pat Patricia’s shoulder.
“Enough, our child is surely happy in heaven.” His heart tightened seeing Patricia now crying softly at their eldest child’s grave. “It was God’s will. We must accept His decision wholeheartedly.”
Chloe nodded in agreement. “Besides, the man who caused Nathalie’s suffering has received the appropriate punishment. Now, it’s better for us to focus on praying for Nathalie to find peace in God’s presence.”
Patricia wiped her tears. “I hope, after this, we will never be separated again. May happiness always accompany our family in the future.”
****
It was already 2 pm. Currently, Chloe, along with her parents, was at one of their favorite restaurants. While enjoying their meal, they exchanged stories once again, reminiscing about the beautiful moments when they used to live together.
“So, actually, before I arranged your marriage, you already knew Edward?” Dylan confirmed his daughter’s story.
“Yes, we had met a few times. I even deliberately trapped him to sleep with me,” Chloe replied.
“Oh my God…” Dylan exclaimed. “Why did you have to do that, my dear?”
Chloe took a deep breath. She had made up her mind to tell everything without holding back from Dylan and Patricia.
“I’m sorry, Pa. As I told you before, I misunderstood and thought Edward was the one responsible for Nathalie’s death. That’s why I was determined to seek revenge by making him fall madly in love with me.”
“And now? You’re the one who’s madly in love with him?” Dylan remarked.
Chloe looked down in embarrassment. What her father said was true.
“Not just madly in love. Now, I’m also afraid of being separated from him.”
Dylan and Patricia burst into laughter together.
“Perhaps it’s God’s way of rewarding you for accusing Edward without reason,” Dylan said.
This time, Chloe nodded. “Luckily, Edward’s feelings for me never changed from the beginning. I’m grateful that you forced me to marry him.”
Again, the three of them laughed together, marveling at the unique way God brought his people together.
“Pa, if I’m not mistaken, you and Mama never actually got divorced, right?” Chloe suddenly asked.
While sipping green tea in his hand, Dylan nodded. “No, my dear. Your grandmother did try to force us to divorce. But I threatened not to marry Aunt Caroline if she continued to force her will on us. This made your grandmother angry, and she took your mother away from us.”
“That means you don’t have to marry Mama again now.”
Dylan nodded. “Of course, no need for that.” He then turned to Patricia, took her hand, and gave her a long kiss. “Our status as husband and wife is still valid in the eyes of God and the law.”
Chloe felt happy as well. Sometimes, she still couldn’t believe that her once broken family was now whole and united again. Though Nathalie was no longer with them, at least her parents could be together again, weaving hopes in the remaining years of their lives.
“I hope nothing can separate us anymore,” Chloe smiled. “We’ll face all the problems that come our way together.”
Dylan nodded in agreement. “I will wholeheartedly and with all my strength protect your mother. No one will ever be allowed to separate our family like before,” he emphasized. “And our happiness will be even more complete with the arrival of Edward and Chloe Junior.”
“He’s just like Edward,” Chloe said. “He’s so impatient waiting for the baby’s birth. My pregnancy is still very early.”
This time, Patricia took over the conversation. “All parents are like that, eagerly waiting for the arrival of their child, especially for their firstborn. It’s natural for Edward to be so impatient. That’s why you have to take care of yourself. Don’t get too tired or stressed.”
Continuing to nod, Chloe smiled. Before responding to her mother’s advice, her attention was diverted. A phone call from her bag demanded her immediate attention.
“Just a moment, Ma. I have to answer the phone,” she said, then reached for her device and quickly swiped the screen.
“Yes, Hans,” Chloe replied when she realized it was Hans calling. “What’s going on?”
“Chloe… there’s something important I need to tell you,” Hans said on the other end. There was a sense of panic in his voice. “You have to go to the hospital right now,” he ordered.
Chloe was naturally puzzled. “To the hospital?” she repeated to make sure. “Why, Hans?”
She heard him take a deep breath on the other end. “Edward really needs you,” he whispered. “Something has happened —–”
“Hans…” Chloe cut him off. “What happened to my husband?” Her voice became panicked.
“Something has happened to your husband. I can’t tell you over the phone. Just hurry and join us right now.”
Without saying much, Chloe got up. She hurriedly asked her father to take her to the hospital to catch up with Edward, who was reportedly in one of the hospitals. All kinds of negative thoughts now haunted Chloe. What could have happened to her husband?