"Divorce me," Chloe whispered.

Those words sounded dreadful to Leonel, her husband. His eyes,

accustomed to looking at his wife with disdainful gazes, now widened in

disbelief. Even his mouth, which usually spoke with a sarcastic and ungrateful

tone, gaped open wide from the shock. Inside his head, those words repeated

like broken tape, continuously playing without stopping.

"What?"

Chloe's ears could still hear whatever was being said on the

flat-screen TV in the living room of their large house. However, her eyes

couldn't see the scenes playing there. She had to feel around first to lift her

favorite jasmine teacup.

When she recalled the incident six months ago, Chloe felt the urge

to curse God.

"Chloe, what do you mean by talking like this?" As usual,

Leonel started raising his voice when he spoke to Chloe. For some reason, many

things had changed since his wife left the hospital—especially Chloe's

increasingly annoying attitude.

Gone was the compliant Chloe, the one who spoke softly and rarely

contradicted Leonel whenever he said something. But now?

"My words were clear enough for you to hear, Leo."

"But why?"

The black-haired woman smirked sarcastically. Her lips curled into a

grin, accompanied by a sharper gaze. Although she couldn't see her husband, she

was confident that her eyes conveyed her feelings. "Why?" Then, not

long after, a mocking laugh escaped her somewhat pale lips.

Instantly, Leonel felt a lump in his throat. He couldn't accept

Chloe's behavior. For the first time in their five-year marriage, he saw his

wife giving him a pretty terrifying look. That grin especially. The gentle,

loving, obedient gaze disturbing Leonel all this time had vanished. Chloe's

brown eyes looked resolute, unwavering.

"I will not divorce you."

Once again, Chloe sneered. This time, she spat to her left side with

even more impertinence. "After all your betrayals? With me being this

damaged? And your intimacy with her here?"

"You were the one who asked, Chloe. Forgot?"

Chloe always remembered the request she made since returning from

the hospital. Her memory never forgot the day when that incident happened.

She witnessed the affair with her own eyes becoming more and more

prominent. Chloe admitted that Leonel indeed had another mistress. But she

didn't expect it to be displayed so clearly day by day. It was as if

intentionally done. Her heartache had reached its peak. Her car got involved in

a single-car accident, causing her to fall into a coma for two months.

To make matters worse, she had to endure semi-permanent blindness

and ongoing therapy sessions. Her life now was genuinely tragic.

That's why she asked her husband to marry his mistress. It had yet

to be fully accomplished to live together in this house. Leonel suddenly

hesitated in taking a stand but let that woman roam freely in this house. A

sudden feeling of compassion arose in Leonel's heart when he learned what Chloe

was going through.

Leonel took a long breath and tried to hold his wife's hand. He had

never done this before. Chloe usually initiated their interactions. Even when

touching Chloe in their bedroom, Leonel was always reluctant. Chloe's presence

had never truly felt the depths of this man's coal-black eyes.

But now, for some reason, Chloe's words made him feel a little

afraid.

Although all this time, Leonel had made every effort to divorce

Chloe. Even his affair with Ester was done openly, regardless of how much Chloe

cried over his behavior. Ester was the woman he had loved since college, but

his influential family opposed her profession, especially the role model, Robby

Grisham—his grandfather.

Leonel couldn't defy the command given by Robby Grisham regarding

his meticulously arranged marriage to Chloe. She was an innocent and naive

girl, though quite beautiful, but more was needed for Leonel. Chloe was too

obedient. Whatever he said, Chloe would do. No objections. No protests. And she

never refused.

However, his wife's figure has changed in front of him. Since waking

up from a coma after the accident, Chloe has been very different. The Chloe

that Leonel knew no longer exists. She has transformed into someone else who is

cold and harsh when speaking, and she doesn't want Leonel around, whether it's

accompanying her or just talking to her.

Chloe only wants to meet her friend, Adrianna Jacob. Leonel also

knows Adrianna since their marriage. They have been friends since college.

Initially, Leonel didn't pay much attention to the doctor's warnings

about Chloe's psychological and traumatic condition. But after seeing her

rejection and how she didn't hesitate to throw anything near her to keep Leonel

away, Leonel started to take notice. Not to mention the outbursts and screams

every time he approached.

Now, he can only communicate with the woman who is still his wife.

Before, Chloe was always willing to sit for hours to wait for Leonel

to come home. Or she would go to great lengths to bring him lunch at his

office. Although Leonel never responded positively, Chloe never gave up.

Throughout these five years, Chloe always wanted to prove to her husband that

she was a faithful wife.

She always smiled and remained patient. And now, that person is

gone. Disappeared, although based on the analysis of the doctors who handled

her during her treatment at the hospital, all the changes Chloe has experienced

will gradually improve.

Although it requires prolonged therapy and a very supportive

approach, that's not to mention what surprised Leonel the most. One thing that

also worried Leonel was Chloe's vision. He was worried that Chloe would never

regain her sight.

"I only did it in your dream, Chloe!" Leonel exclaimed. He

rose from the comfortable sofa he had just sat on. His eyes were red as he

stared at his wife, who challenged his gaze. Her brown eyes looked empty.

Occasionally, her eyes moved slowly, but Leonel knew they couldn't be used as

before.

His wife was blind, although it couldn't be said to be permanent

yet. But still, it was undoubtedly difficult for Chloe to live her life now.

And that brought a sense of pity that deeply settled in Leonel's heart,

especially when he remembered a large gift box, which was her lunchbox, lying

on his office desk.

There was a note that Leonel knew was written by his wife's hand.

'Happy anniversary, my husband. May we be happier in the future?'

And then the accident happened, leaving a disturbing hole in

Leonel's mind.

***

During the day, as Chloe closed her eyes, a sudden pain took over

her head. It was pounding so intensely that she grabbed her hair tightly.

"ARGH!" She shouted, gasping for breath. She reluctantly woke up.

There was nothing her eyes could enjoy except darkness and a faint light.

The sound of impact, screeching tires, and cries for help from

herself invaded her dreams again. It wasn't easy to forget the terrible event

in her life. Although she had tried hard to eliminate her nightmares, they

often recurred without being prevented.

In the past, her world felt beautiful. She was born into a good

family. Although she lost her parents in middle school, she had extraordinary

love from her grandmother and grandfather. Until she graduated from college,

she lived a life like any other average child. Despite her arranged marriage,

she learned to accept it and put aside the knowledge she gained during college.

She chose to dedicate herself as a housewife, just as her mother-in-law

desired.

She had abundant wealth. She had a husband with a handsome

appearance. Just by pointing at something, she could quickly obtain it. But

that was only what could be seen from the outside, without knowing how

miserable her life was here.

After she managed to regain control of herself, she forced herself

to leave the room. Initially, the room she occupied was on the second floor. It

was a large main bedroom with many complete facilities. However, there was no

warmth there. The atmosphere in the room seemed stiff and superficial.

Just like her relationship with Leonel. She realized it day by day,

especially since she became like this. She slowly dragged her feet, making sure

with the tip of her cane that nothing would harm her.

"Oh... the lady of the house is awake."

Chloe fell silent. She recognized that voice. Ester Gisella. The

woman loved by her husband is now allowed to enter their house. However, Chloe

was somewhat confused because Leonel didn't immediately marry that woman. She

thought Leonel would immediately legalize his affair within their marriage

since she was helpless like this.

But the reality was different. Chloe no longer cared about what

Leonel was waiting for. Once permission was granted, Ester became more arrogant

and behaved like lady of the house in the large place that Chloe lived in.

"But it's okay if you stay in the room. Besides, it's useless

for you to be around here. Dangerous. You might fall and cause trouble."

Chloe remained silent, not wanting to say anything to Ester.

"You're just ruining the view for me. Just go back to your

room. Leonel will be home soon. You're useless anyway. You can't take care of

him properly. You can't even serve your husband with good eyesight, let alone

now," Ester said with sarcasm. There was a sense of satisfaction every

time those harsh words were uttered, especially when she saw Chloe becoming

more helpless.

It was her fault for agreeing to this ridiculous arranged marriage

with Leonel. He was forever hers. Her love. Her sweetheart. She didn't care

about being called a home wrecker. In her eyes, Chloe was the one who destroyed

their love story. And now, she would reclaim what Chloe had damaged.

"I don't understand," Chloe strolled, not caring if her

steps were correct. The tap of her cane indicated that there was nothing to

worry about. Once again, she took a step. She hoped to get closer to Ester.

"Here, am I the host, or are you?"

Ester burst into laughter immediately. "Are you... still

sane?"

Chloe remained still. She continued her words. "Remember one

thing, Ester Gisella. If it weren't for my permission, you wouldn't be able to

enter the Hartono family. I am still the legal wife of Leonel Grisham. And

you..." Chloe didn't care if her pointed finger was aimed directly at

Ester's face. "You're just an outsider who satisfies my husband's desires.

Without my consent, your so-called legitimate marriage would never exist."

"You!!!" Ester exclaimed in frustration. Her eyes widened

in disbelief. Her breath was heavy, and she felt the urge to slap the woman

standing in front of her. Even her finger was still pointing there.

"Never forget that I picked you up from the street." Chloe

quickly lowered her hand. She tried hard to suppress her anger. Ester's words

became more and more unbearable day by day. Not to mention, her ears were not

yet deaf to hear the intimacy that happened between her husband and this

serpent woman.

"Chloe," someone called, causing Chloe to turn towards the

source of the voice. "It's Mama, dear."

Her anger vanished immediately. It was replaced with a genuine smile

for the woman approaching her. Her arm received a gentle touch, and she could

smell Agatha Theodore's perfume, her mother-in-law's.

"What are you two doing?" Agatha asked suspiciously.

"Nothing, Ma," Chloe quickly interjected. "Just

discussing Leonel's visitation schedule. Right, Ester?"

Chloe didn't care if Ester's growl reached her ears. If only her

eyes could see usually, she would surely be grinning with satisfaction at

Ester's defeat in their conversation. But like this, she felt it was enough to

convey her position.

"Is Mama just arriving?" Chloe broke the sudden silence.

"Yes, just now." Agatha looked at Chloe with a gentle

gaze, which was in stark contrast when her eyes shifted to the tall and elegant

woman nearby. "Mama bought your favorite low-sugar cookies. Come and taste

them," she invited as she led Chloe away from Ester. That woman truly made

her heart race.

How could her beloved son fall in love with a woman who resembled

Medusa? She couldn't understand. And Chloe, she couldn't grasp her thoughts at

all. She even asked Leonel to formalize their affair and bring Ester to live

here. Agatha gave a scornful look at Ester, who also stared back at her future

mother-in-law with a resentful gaze. She didn't care if Agatha didn't like her.

Since the beginning, Agatha had never approved of their relationship, right?

But now, Ester chose to find a new way to make Agatha submit to her.

Just wait, foolish Mother-in-Law. That's what she thought. Ester

lets Chloe be showered with sympathy from Agatha. The time would come for them

to know who Ester Gisella indeed was here. And also in Leonel Grisham's heart.

Ester couldn't wait to continue her grand plan. A cunning smirk

unconsciously appeared on her face. Her eyes gazed at the backs of the two

women she would soon destroy. "Enjoy your time together," she

whispered.