Chapter 141: b

"I'm going back to New York City now!"

Send.

Leonel wrote that message addressed to Agatha Theodore, his mother. He didn't want his mother to think that he could be back with Chloe. It blew Leonel because his hopes didn't align with expectations. He shouldn't have wasted a week in Beverly Hills just for Chloe, but Leonel's efforts were futile. Chloe seemed distant, not even showing the slightest concern for him.

Leonel took a slow breath, trying to gather his focus again. He rushed to drive his car towards New York City. He no longer wanted to discuss or think about everything related to Chloe in Beverly Hills. It was better to focus on his company and enjoy his solitude. It didn't matter. His broken heart might heal somehow. What he felt now was disappointment, despair, and sadness raging within him. Leonel couldn't think about how much regret he had experienced.

Ping!

[What's wrong? Did you manage to persuade Chloe?]

Leonel just glanced briefly. The pop-up message on his phone was readable. Upon receiving a letter from Agatha, Leonel chose to remain silent about its contents. He couldn't possibly explain it through a message to Agatha. It would be better to tell her when he arrived in New York City. Moreover, Leonel's mind was currently wholly uncompromising. The disappointment and heartache of a hope that didn't come true made him feel uncomfortable this time.

Even Leonel deliberately pulled over his car because he couldn't concentrate on driving and felt his mind constantly haunted by Chloe. He had to try to neutralize his thoughts and feelings to regain focus on driving. Although it was difficult, no matter how long Leonel tried, something always haunted him.

"Come on, you can do it," Leonel encouraged himself.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chloe seemed unfocused on her work. She appeared happy thinking about the progress of her relationship with Darren. Chloe no longer felt uncertain because she had set her goals. Even when she returned to the café to check on the work there, Leonel's presence was no longer at the table he had occupied for the past few days.

Chloe didn't care too much. Maybe now he was busy with his affairs. It's better that way. It wouldn't disturb Chloe anymore. Darren's words about his parents had been beneficial for her to gain more confidence. She also agreed to Darren's suggestion this week to go to Surabaya. She was meeting her lover's parents. While checking all the reports Peni had given her, she also considered what clothes would be appropriate for her to wear when visiting there.

"Oh... it's so confusing," Chloe sighed. She took her phone out of her bag, searching for clothing references that suited her and looked respectable. She didn't want to receive a wrong impression from Darren's parents.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the highway towards New York City, Leonel was driving his car at an above-average speed. He didn't think about his life. All Leonel could think about was how to get rid of the suffocating feeling and let it out. He couldn't scream like a madman there.

However, on that large highway, Leonel didn't realize that suddenly the brakes were difficult to press. Also, his car, traveling at high speed, lost control. He tried to avoid a possible accident. But unfortunately, the vehicle Leonel was driving collided with one of the trucks in front of him. The loud sound of the collision made Leonel feel a powerful impact on his chest. The truck he had tried to avoid was now in front of him. His car was also thrown quite far, and he felt an intense spinning sensation. All Leonel remembered was that the front of his car was completely crushed. The vehicle he was driving rolled over and fell into a ravine on the side of the road.

The multiple-car accident had befallen Leonel. It made everyone there run instantly to check on Leonel's condition. Many were worried that the victim and the two truck drivers who unintentionally hit Leonel's car had died on the spot. This chain accident caused panic on the left side of the road. Many vehicles stopped and slowed due to the severe damage to Leonel's car.

A cloud of smoke surrounded the black sedan that Leonel was driving.

"Quick, help! Please call the police now!" one of the drivers, who seemed very panicked, ordered.

"Alright, I'll call the police and an ambulance to come here immediately," replied one of the people at the scene.

Meanwhile, holding a glass in her office, Chloe suddenly shattered it. She was drinking as usual, and nothing was unusual. However, she suddenly felt uneasy. She sensed something terrible was happening, although she didn't know why. She even felt her heart pounding rapidly. She didn't know what news would be brought to her. Chloe tried to take a slow breath and calm her mind. She shouldn't jump to conclusions. Maybe it was just a passing feeling. She quickly called the office boy to clean up the broken glass she accidentally bumped into earlier.

But not long after that, the flat object on Chloe's desk started ringing. It shattered her reverie and startled her. She immediately diverted her attention and made sure who was calling her.

"Leonel?" she murmured when she saw her ex-husband's name calling her. At first, Chloe was reluctant to answer the call. She let the call be ignored. But when Leonel's number called her again, it annoyed Chloe.

"Why haven't you given up yet?" she grumbled, disliking it.

Soon after, an unknown number called her again.

"Hello," Chloe answered when the call connected.

"Hello, good afternoon, is this Leonel's family?" a man asked from the other end of the phone. It needs to be clarified for Chloe. Why was there a call for Leonel? And... his family?

"I-I see. I'm sorry, who is this? Why isn't Leonel speaking to me?" Chloe asked in a panicked and nervous voice. Her heart rate was becoming more erratic for some reason.

"I'm sorry, we're from the Police Department, and it is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Mr. Leonel Grisham has been involved in an accident on the highway. The victim was taken to the nearest hospital for prompt medical treatment. Therefore, I'm requesting a family member to handle this, especially the victim at the hospital," the man explained.

Those words hit Chloe like a bucket of cold water. She immediately turned pale, her body weakened, and even responding to the man's account felt extremely difficult.

"Hello?" the man called again.

"I-I understand, sir! I will come there immediately!" Chloe weakly replied. Then the call abruptly ended. Tears streamed down Chloe's face. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.

Chloe quickly scrolled through her contacts and searched for Darren's number. She couldn't go there alone, so she asked Darren to accompany her to see Leonel at the hospital.

"Darren, we need to go to the hospital now! Leonel had an accident; we must ensure he's okay!"

Send.

Not long after, her phone rang again with a new message notification.

Ring!

"Oh my, which hospital? Alright, I'll come and pick you up!"

Chloe hurriedly prepared herself and gathered everything she needed for the hospital. She honestly didn't expect this situation. Her mind was in chaos. Did Agatha and Robby know about their son's condition?

***

Upon arriving at the hospital, Chloe went straight to the receptionist to inquire about a patient named Leonel. She was perturbed, and Darren could sense it. At first, Darren felt puzzled by Chloe's behavior, but he tried to dismiss it and think positively. Of course, Chloe was concerned since Leonel was her ex-husband. Although Darren admitted that there was a hint of jealousy, this situation was no longer about jealousy. If Chloe wanted, she could have gone alone. Budi, for example, could have accompanied her.

But in reality? Chloe asked Darren to accompany her. It meant that Chloe still considered Darren an essential person in her life.

Shortly after, the receptionist informed them of where Leonel was currently being treated and that the patient was in a coma and unconscious.

"Alright, thank you!"

Chloe immediately ran towards the room mentioned by the receptionist. Her hand was still linked with Darren's, and she held it tightly as they continued walking in the direction indicated by the receptionist. Her heart continued to pray for Leonel's well-being.

She never expected this accident to happen to Leonel.

Arriving in front of the room where Leonel was receiving treatment, Chloe burst into tears. They both saw Leonel's condition inside. Several doctors were busy attending to this concerning patient.

"Stay calm, Chloe."

"I... I'm scared, Darren."

Darren could only stay silent. He knew that Chloe's feelings still belonged to Leonel, even though Darren was by her.

"Leonel will surely be strong."

Chloe chose not to respond.

"God, give Leonel a chance to stay here. Even if not with me, let him experience true love again. Even if it's not from me, God."