Chapter 131
"Thank you, I will."
For the next few days, Chloe remained unusually quiet. She obediently took her medicine and cooperated with treatment, which made Adeline increasingly uneasy.
"Chloe, if something's bothering you, please tell me. Whatever it is, we can figure it out together."
"I know you're blaming yourself for the accident. If you want revenge on Avery, let me help you, okay?"
Seeing Adeline's worried expression, Chloe shook her head.
"Adeline, don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing."
"Really, I'm not that fragile anymore."
The past few months had been more challenging than all the hardships and pain of her previous life combined.
Her greatest struggle before had been losing her father, Edward, and subsequently being denied Karen's affection, repeatedly abandoned.
But in these recent months, she had hovered between life and death, experienced betrayal, and lost family.
Those years of being sheltered by Arthur had indeed diminished her ability to withstand life's storms, but she wasn't afraid anymore.
Even if she was scared, some things would happen regardless.
Adeline had responsibilities at the company, and at Chloe's insistence, she finally returned to work.
After Adeline left, Chloe had barely fallen asleep when she heard someone entering her hospital room.
She opened her eyes to see Arthur. His eyes were bloodshot, looking like he hadn't slept for days. When he spotted Chloe in the hospital bed, he rushed over, his eyes full of concern. He reached out to touch her face, but she flinched away.
"Chloe, how could you not tell me about something this serious? If I hadn't gone to your company looking for you and your colleagues hadn't mentioned you were in the hospital, I would never have known."
"Are you still in pain? You used to come to me pouting over the tiniest scratch. How long has it been since you've been hurt like this? Let me see your injuries."
Chloe sat up, coldly avoiding his touch.
"I don't need your concern. I'm fine now."
"How can you say you're fine? Chloe, even if you want a divorce, you shouldn't take it out on your own body. We've known each other for so many years—childhood friends-to-lovers—how could I possibly remain indifferent when you're hurt? Please stop being so stubborn, okay?"
Looking at his earnest expression, Chloe suddenly found it darkly amusing.
"Do you know why I'm in the hospital after a car accident? It's all thanks to you! What's the point of this fake concern now?"
Arthur looked up, his expression a mixture of hurt and shock.
"Chloe, I know I've done many irrational things before. I've been ruthless trying to keep you lately, but how could I resort to something as extreme as causing an accident? If something happened to you, all my efforts to keep you would be wasted. Chloe, how could you think so badly of me?"
His voice dripped with wounded pride.
Chloe laughed silently.
"Of course, you didn't directly arrange the accident. Even with your jealousy over Howard and me, if I died, you'd end up with nothing. I'm not that stupid. But don't forget, you were the one who provoked Avery first."
At her words, Arthur's expression darkened, his eyes turning cold, his tone shifting.
"Avery caused the accident? How dare she?"
Arthur spoke through gritted teeth, the hatred and disgust in his eyes impossible to fake.
But Chloe remained unmoved, her mocking smile growing more pronounced.
"Why wouldn't she dare? Arthur, don't forget that you terminated her pregnancy using my name. Of course, she wants me dead, because my death would cause you pain. Arthur, you always act according to your own desires, never considering me. You claim to love me, but from your first mistake, you've dragged me into this senseless mess. What did I do wrong?"
These words had been building inside Chloe for a long time.
From beginning to end, she was the victim, yet she had lost so much in this storm.
"You killed our child, and made Avery's baby accompany ours in death. Someone as twisted as you doesn't deserve children. You just can't admit that in our marriage, you're the one who created this disaster. You couldn't bear the consequences of losing me, so you needed someone to vent your anger on—and that person was Avery."
"Arthur, you're despicable. No matter how much Avery and I might dislike each other, you were the one who got her pregnant. You created the cracks in our marriage. You're the one who's been using every dirty trick to prevent our divorce! What right do you have to show up with this fake concern?"
"What right do you have?"
Chloe stared at him as tears streamed down her face. With her naturally delicate features, her crying was heartbreaking—enough to make anyone want to give her the world.
Arthur panicked.
It had been so long since he'd seen Chloe this devastated. He sat on the edge of the bed and tenderly pulled her into his arms, his heart breaking.
This time, perhaps lost in her grief, Chloe didn't push him away.
"Chloe, you're right. I'm a complete jerk! I never should have wanted a child in the first place. It's my fault you've suffered so much, and now you nearly lost your life because of me. Don't cry. I truly love you. I'm willing to change for you, and I'll definitely make things right about the accident, okay?"
"Chloe, all obstacles between us have been cleared now. I'll wait for you with all the patience I have, wait for you to come back to me."
Chloe just kept crying. Arthur's phone rang; seeing it was Jacob, he had to step outside to answer.
After he left, Chloe slowly wiped away her tears, watching his retreating figure with an expressionless face—all traces of heartbreak vanished.
A woman's tears could sometimes be a powerful weapon.
Of course, she wasn't crying for Arthur. Her tears had to be worth something.
Since Avery wanted Arthur to suffer by orchestrating the accident, she would make Arthur take action himself, ensuring Avery would suffer just as much.
Trash like them deserved to destroy each other.
Chloe leaned against the headboard as time ticked by. Eventually, Arthur returned, looking troubled.
"Chloe, something's come up at the company. I need to go back now. Take care of yourself, and I'll visit when I can, okay?"
"Don't worry about the accident. I'll handle everything."
Chloe didn't even blink, just sitting there motionless.
After Arthur left, she threw back the covers and got out of bed, standing by the window to watch him leave.
Just then, there was another knock at the door.
Chloe, assuming it was Adeline, didn't move.
"Chloe, is it because of me that you want to get revenge on Avery this way?"
A familiar voice sounded behind her. Chloe turned around in surprise to see Howard standing there in hospital clothes.
Even in a hospital gown, he couldn't hide his natural elegance.
Without thinking, Chloe threw herself into his arms. At that moment, she forgot everything else, only wanting to hold onto the person before her.
"Howard, you're finally awake."
"Chlo, I'm fine."