Chapter 137 Lovesick fool

Chapter 137 Lovesick fool
Chapter 137: Lovesick fool 

The argument started in the sitting room before Roy even had time to sit down. Claudia stood in front of him, hands shaking, eyes red like she had already cried herself dry before he walked in. 

Tems paced behind her, restless, angry, unable to stay still. The air in the room was tight, thick with everything no one wanted to say out loud but had been waiting to explode.

“So you won’t even explain?” Claudia demanded, her voice breaking. “You just brought her back into this house like nothing happened?”

Roy stayed standing. He didn’t remove his jacket. He didn’t look surprised. He looked tired.

“What is Coco doing here?” Tems shouted. “Are you trying to destroy us on purpose? Have you forgotten how deadly she is? What she did to us in the past?”

Roy exhaled slowly. “Lower your voice.”

Tems laughed sharply. “Lower my voice? You bring the woman who ruined everything into this house and you want me to lower my voice?”

Claudia stepped closer to him. “Roy, please. I’m begging you. Whatever spell she has on you, it will end badly. You worked too hard to get here. You are finally close to winning. You can’t throw it away for her.”

Roy looked at his mother then, really looked at her. “I didn’t throw anything away.”

“You did,” Claudia cried. “The moment you let her step back into your life.”

Tems folded her arms. “You think Chief Kaave will just sit back and watch this? You think that man won’t crush you if he realizes you’re still tied to his daughter?”

“Worse still, he sent her back to come spy on you and destroy you finally.” Claudia said helplessly. 

Roy’s jaw tightened. “I didn’t ask for your opinions.”

Tems scoffed. “Of course you didn’t. You never do when it comes to her.”

Claudia reached for his arm. “Roy, listen to me. I carried you for nine months. I buried your father’s absence. I stood by you when everything collapsed. I am begging you now. Send her away. She killed your unborn child just to ruin you.” 

Roy gently removed his arm from her grip. His voice stayed calm, but it carried weight. “I love her.”

The room went silent.

Tems stared at him like she hadn’t heard correctly. “You what?”

“I love Coco,” Roy repeated. “And that is final.”

Claudia shook her head slowly. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do.”

“She betrayed you,” Tems said. “She stood on the other side while you were bleeding.”

Roy nodded. “I know.”

“She almost destroyed you,” Claudia whispered.

“I know that too.”

“Then why?” Tems demanded. “Why are you doing this?”

Roy’s eyes hardened. “Because loving her didn’t stop just because she hurt me.”

Claudia broke down then, tears spilling freely. “You’re choosing her over your own family.”

Roy swallowed. “I’m choosing myself.”

Tems laughed bitterly. “That woman will kill you one day.”

Roy picked up his keys from the table. “If that’s how it ends, then that’s how it ends.”

Claudia reached for him again, desperate. “Roy, don’t walk away from me like this.”

He paused at the doorway, his back to them. “I’m not walking away from you. I’m walking away from this conversation.”

“Look at Inna…” Tems said. “She’s a good woman. She loves you.” 

“Look at Coco, she’s beautiful. And I love her.” Roy replied.

And then he left.

The sound of the door closing echoed through the house like a verdict. Claudia sank into the couch, sobbing. Tems stood frozen, fury burning behind her eyes.

Upstairs, Coco stood alone in Roy’s bedroom. She wore his shirt, the sleeves too long, the collar loose around her neck. The room smelled like him, looked like him, felt like him. She leaned against the dresser, arms folded, listening to the faint echoes of voices downstairs. She didn’t need to hear the words to know what was being said.

The door opened without a knock. Inna stepped in. She froze when she saw Coco.

Inna’s eyes widened slightly, her hands clutching the tray she carried. She looked smaller somehow, like she wanted to disappear into the floor. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t know you were here.”

Coco raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t knock.”

Inna bowed her head immediately. “I’m sorry, ma.”

Coco studied her for a moment, then shook her head slowly. “You don’t need to call me that.”

Inna’s voice trembled. “Yes, ma.”

Coco sighed, irritated but not angry. “Why are you in his room?”

“I brought food,” Inna said softly. “For Roy.”

“He’s not here.”

“I know,” Inna replied. “I thought he would come back.”

Coco stepped aside. “You can leave it there.”

Inna placed the tray on the table, her movements rushed and nervous. She avoided looking directly at Coco. “I’ll go now.”

She turned quickly, almost tripping over her own feet as she hurried out. Coco watched her go, expression unreadable.

A few seconds later, Coco’s phone rang. The screen lit up with Brandy’s name. She answered on video call without hesitation.

Brandy’s face filled the screen, tense and exhausted. “Why are you at Roy’s place?”

Coco leaned back against the bed. “Hello to you too.”

“Don’t play with me,” Brandy snapped. “Your father knows. Do you have any idea how hard it’s been covering for you?”

Coco shrugged. “You’re good at that.”

Brandy’s jaw tightened. “I’m tired, Coco. I’m tired of lying for you. I’m tired of cleaning up behind you.”

“Then stop,” Coco said calmly.

Brandy laughed bitterly. “You don’t get it. I can’t just stop.”

“Well, that’s your problem,” Coco replied.

“Unless you’re spying…” Brandy leaned closer to the screen. “You need to leave that house. Now.”

Coco shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Coco,” Brandy warned, “this will end badly.”

Coco’s eyes hardened. “Everything already has.”

Brandy exhaled sharply. “Your father will destroy you if he thinks you’ve switched sides.”

Coco smiled faintly. “Let him think whatever he wants.”

Brandy stared at her. “Why are you doing this?”

Coco didn’t answer right away. Then she said, “Because I want to.”

Brandy closed her eyes briefly. “I’m done making excuses for you.”

“Then don’t,” Coco said.

Brandy opened her eyes. “This is the last time I warn you.”

Coco ended the call.

The screen went dark. Coco tossed the phone onto the bed and sat down slowly. The house felt heavy, tense, alive with things unsaid. Downstairs, voices still echoed faintly. Somewhere outside, Roy’s car engine started, then faded into the distance.

Coco leaned back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling, fully aware that every move she made from this moment forward would cost something.