Chapter 129—b

"That sounds good! Besides, I'm starving right now," Chloe replied to Darren, who looked happy and quickly drove his car towards their destination, not the usual restaurant they frequented.

After a few minutes of dining there, with light conversations that created a warm atmosphere, Chloe noticed that Darren had just finished his meal. She tried to calm herself and took a slow breath. She didn't want to jeopardize her desire to ask Darren to drive her to the hospital to visit Leonel, which might make this kind-hearted man scrutinize her. Although it was difficult for her to say it, Chloe had to. She wanted to check on Leonel's condition at that moment.

"Darren, I want to tell you something," Chloe said, finally summoning the courage to speak up.

"Oh? What is it that you want to talk about?" Darren asked, now acting casual after seeing how Chloe reacted upon hearing about Leonel's condition. Although he was worried that Chloe might change direction and become more concerned about Leonel, he tried to act normal. He could see that Chloe cared deeply for Leonel.

"Can I ask for your help right now?" Chloe said again, asking the man in front of her. Meanwhile, Darren chuckled softly upon hearing her words.

"What do you need, Chloe? I'll grant it as long as it's reasonable and within my capabilities." How could he refuse Chloe's request now? After all, she was his girlfriend. If necessary, he would show his heartfelt sincerity by calling Chloe his fiancée. "Of course, you can. Is there any hesitation if you need my help?" Darren added as Chloe lowered her head.

There was a sense of discomfort in Chloe's heart, but what else could she do? Should she go alone? It would only make Darren unhappy. Moreover, she felt increasingly awkward seeing Darren's attitude toward her. Suddenly, Darren even playfully messed up his hair.

"Tell me, Chloe. What's the matter?"

"I just want your help taking me to the hospital where Leonel is treated. I want to know his condition," Chloe uttered those words in a soft tone. She bowed again, unable to look Darren in the eye, fearing disappointment in his gaze.

Upon hearing Chloe's narrative, Darren could only sigh softly. Frankly, he found it chadriving at the hospital where Leonel was being treated. It was challenging; he had been thinking that Chloe wanted to discuss something about his offer to introduce her to his parents. After all, the end of the week was approaching, the time when he promised his parents that he would bring Chloe there.

Unfortunately, Chloe asked for something else that had not crossed Darren's mind.

Honestly, Darren didn't like it. But who would want all this to happen? Besides, Chloe's request to be accompanied made Darren's heart happy. It meant that his girlfriend was thinking about him amidst the ongoing turmoil.

"Why are you silent?" Chloe asked again, concerned. "I... I know it's silly. Forget it," Chloe quickly said. "Just pretend I didn't ask for anything from you."

"Oh, it's okay," Darren made an excuse. "You don't have to worry about me, Sa. I'm fine. Don't feel burdened by your recent request. I'm glad you invited me."

A smile began to appear at the corner of Chloe's lips.

"Shall we leave now?" she asked Chloe, who nodded quickly.

Even from the expression on her lover's face, Darren could see the remaining concern in Chloe directed towards Leonel, her ex-husband. But Darren could only remain silent and accept it. It wasn't his fault or Chloe's fault. It was just a matter of time that made Chloe reluctant to forget her ex-husband. Or Darren could conclude that Chloe was too kind, always thinking about others, so as not to hurt her too much.

***

Upon arriving at the hospital, Chloe hurriedly walked toward Leonel's ward. This time, she didn't want to leave Darren alone like when she first heard the news about Leonel. Although Darren was with her, Chloe realized that she had been neglecting Darren's presence. She didn't want Darren to feel that way again. She was in a state of panic when she found out about Leonel's accident.

Darren and Chloe walked side by side toward Leonel's ward. When they arrived at the VIP room, Chloe stopped in her tracks. Through the window, Chloe could see that Leonel was still unconscious. There were monitors and medical equipment on both sides of him, ensuring his condition was stable.

Chloe leaned against the wall in the hospital. She wanted to go in but was concerned about disturbing Leonel.

"Do you want to go in?" Darren asked Chloe, who chose to remain silent after peaking at Leonel from the outside.

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Can I?"

Darren nodded quickly. "I think in this condition; Leonel can be visited."

They exchanged glances for a while before Darren nodded again.

"Go ahead, Chloe. Take care of your business with Leonel. I'll wait here."

Chloe's eyes welled up with tears. She wouldn't waste this opportunity. She had decided since the journey to visit Leonel this time. She couldn't let her feelings sway like this. She couldn't destroy Darren's genuine love for her. Meeting Leonel, even though he was still unconscious, was Chloe's way of bidding farewell.

"Thank you," Chloe said, slightly tiptoeing. She gave Darren an affectionate kiss, and he smiled faintly.

For Darren, there was something they needed to resolve before he and Chloe moved forward. He didn't want any lingering feelings in Chloe's heart about her ex-husband when they were officially husband and wife.

With Darren's permission, Chloe nodded slightly. She entered Leonel's ward directly. Chloe approached and confirmed that Leonel was indeed starting to recover. She sat by her ex-husband's side, carefully holding his hand. She hadn't forgotten the touch of those hands that once touched her, leaving only bare memories.

"Leonel," she softly called.

Whether it was a miracle or a test from God to gauge Chloe's steadfastness in her love for Darren, the man slowly regained consciousness. Chloe could sense some faint movement and saw his eyelids twitching before slowly opening. His hand also moved within Chloe's grasp. His newly opened eyes glazed hazily in Chloe's direction.

After a week, Leonel finally woke up. He immediately held Chloe's hand tightly. Chloe, seeing Leonel's condition at that moment, fell silent. She couldn't say much. Various emotions stirred within her, causing her to be overwhelmed. She felt a mix of joy and tears. Meanwhile, Darren chose to remain outside. He had no desire to enter the room because he didn't want to see Chloe and Leonel together.

Allowing them to settle their past story was right for him to do now.

"Mama," Leonel muttered, causing Chloe to blink repeatedly.

In fact, upon waking up from his coma, the person Leonel referred to was Agatha Theodore, his mother. Meanwhile, Chloe remained silent, trying to compose herself. Chloe didn't let go of his hand. She wanted to call the medical team to examine the newly awakened patient thoroughly.

Perhaps Leonel's blurry vision made him mistake Chloe for his mother, Agatha, who was hospitalized with him. Meanwhile, Chloe remained silent while still holding Leonel's hand. She felt a deep sadness seeing his current condition. Chloe couldn't comprehend how Leonel, who was always cautious when driving and accustomed to having a chauffeur, could be involved in such a severe accident.

Tears still occasionally wet Chloe's cheeks. Seeing Leonel's condition, she couldn't hold back her tears. But she continued to gently stroke the back of Leonel's hand, giving him encouragement to keep fighting and persevering during this recovery period. She could also see that he was still partially unconscious as, after saying "Mama," he tried to open his eyes again slowly.

Chloe felt relieved now. At least Leonel had regained consciousness and passed the critical stage. However, one thing held her attention. Leonel... was he crying? Why? Or was the pain from his injuries starting to bother him? What should Chloe do? She needed to call the doctor right away.

"Why... are you crying?" Chloe asked, her voice full of emotion. Without permission, her other hand reached out to wipe the tears flowing from the corners of Leonel's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I failed to fight for Chloe's heart again. I'm sorry if I couldn't fulfill Mom and Dad's wishes. I can't return to Chloe and bring her home like before. Mom, Leonel regrets his past mistakes that caused Chloe to distance herself from him. But I can't make her return." His words left Chloe frozen. The hand she had used to wipe Leonel's tears remained suspended.

"I'm sorry for giving up on winning Chloe's love again. She has someone else now who will make her much happier than being with me," Leonel said, his eyes still closed and tears streaming down his face. Chloe unconsciously started crying too, and her tears instantly wet her cheeks.

She immediately covered her mouth to muffle her sobs. Upon hearing Leonel's words in front of her, for some reason, a feeling of tightness in her chest emerged. Even Leonel was unaware he was speaking to Chloe, not his mother, Agatha.

Chloe repeatedly wiped away her tears as they continued to flow. She was deeply moved by what Leonel was saying to her. She never expected that Leonel's struggle was genuinely sincere and not motivated by any ulterior motive. So, this past week, Leonel truly wanted her back in his arms.

Chloe allowed her hand to keep holding onto Leonel's hand.

She also allowed Leonel to ramble, speaking about their past, especially their relationship. She heard every word of regret and self-reproach directed towards himself. Hearing Leonel's words and remorseful feelings about his past behavior touched Chloe's heart. She could see that Leonel sincerely acknowledged his regrets. It made Chloe pause and think that Leonel truly regretted his actions this time.

Should she postpone her planned farewell? Meanwhile, not far from where she sat with her ex-husband, another man offered her a more complete love.

Chloe was filled with uncertainty.