"You're right, Dorothea. You've failed to convince Vernon to accept you back. You've triggered him by accident after you told him the truth, and Vernon said that he doesn't want to see your face anymore."
"You fucked up, Dorothea, and I don't think he will ever forgive you anytime soon," Chloe kept attacking Dorothea with the harsh truth that stabbed the old woman's heart repeatedly.
"Y--You don't need to repeat it. I know..." Dorothea lamented.
pǎпdǎ Й?νê1,сòМ "But, Vernon is not a heartless person," Chloe said. "He is having a hard time accepting you, but he knows that I treasure you. He also knows that you've been a good grandmother for Mackie. So, he told me that you are allowed to stay in this apartment. You'll live under his protection."
Dorothea's eyes widened. She turned around to face Chloe again, "C--Chloe, don't tell me that he--"
"He allows you to meet Mackie and I as much as you want," Chloe stated. "But you're not allowed to gather with us in any event, because he still can't face you without getting angry."
Dorothea couldn't believe what she had heard just now, "D--Did he really say that?"
"Yes, and unfortunately, this is the only thing he could do for you, Dorothea. Please understand that I will always side with him in the end," Chloe said though her heart was full of grievance. "He is my priority. I did everything, including bringing you back into his life so he could make peace with his past."
"No--No! I'm okay with it! I just-- I didn't expect him to actually accept me back...."
"He doesn't accept you back. He just accepts your presence for Mackie and I," Chloe reminded her, so Dorothea wouldn't get her hopes up.
Although Vernon didn't accept him, Dorothea was so happy that he at least allowed her to meet with Chloe and Mackie and also allowed her to stay here, where it was definitely the safest place for her.
Chloe was afraid that Dorothea would demand more because she mentioned to Chloe once that she'd love to spend events like Christmas and New Year with a family.
But in contrast to her fear, Dorothea actually looked overjoyed.
"Thank you, Chloe. Thank you for everything," Dorothea said. "I know he allows me to live here because of you and Mackie, so you should know that I owe you everything in this world. You're the one who gives me a safe haven in the end."
**
Chloe returned to the penthouse after spending an hour with Dorothea. She told Dorothea that she'd buy clothes for her since the old woman had to lay low these days to avoid Vincent and his men.
"I thought you'd spend more time with her," Vernon said.
Chloe darted her eyes towards the source of the voice, and she saw Vernon drinking directly from a gin bottle in the middle of the day.
He spread his arm on the sofa while watching Spongebob on the TV.
"I told her that I'll upgrade her room to the suite one, so she can have more space since she won't be able to leave that room for a while," Chloe said as she walked towards Vernon. She sat beside him and continued, "I also told her I'll buy her clothes later."
"Hm," Vernon nodded, but his eyes were still glued to the TV, watching Spongebob as if it was the best cartoon he couldn't miss.
Chloe gently rested her head on Vernon's strong chest and watched the TV with him, "I don't know what to say, Vernon. But you really surprised me."
"Because I let Dorothea live in this apartment?"
"Yes, you also allow Mackie and I to meet her. You've matured a lot."
"... I did it for you and Mackie, that's it." freewebno(v)el
"Mhm, I know, that's why I said that you've matured a lot. It takes a lot of maturity to prioritize your family's wellness over your own ego," Chloe praised. She raised her hand and patted Vernon's head. "You did well, Vernon."
Vernon took a deep breath. He actually enjoyed getting a head pat from Chloe, "As much as I hate her, I have to make sure that Mackie has a good family as well. She misses her grandmother a lot, and Dorothea has always been a good grandma to her."
"Mhm, thank you for everything, Vernon," Chloe said. "Do you want something as a reward?" she asked. She thought that it was about time for Vernon to get a reward, and she meant it sexually, of course. It had been a while since they had done something 'fun' together.
Vernon glanced down at Chloe, and his breath heaved instantly. Of course, there was a reaction down there. It had been a while since he had fun with his beloved woman.
"So, what do you do? I will do it for you," Chloe said in her sweet voice, which only aroused him even more. He couldn't wait to hear moans from her sweet red lips as well.
Vernon put his gin bottle on the floor, and his hand slowly crept and slid into Chloe's shirt. He grabbed her waist and rubbed her skin with his thumb, "You're gaining weight."
"Did you not like it?" Chloe asked as she got a little worried. "I can try to lose weight."
"No, you're still on your way to reach your proper weight. I'm saying that as a compliment," Vernon said. "That means you have gained your appetite as you spend more time with me. You should know that your weight gain gives me pride for myself, because it's proof that I've been treating you very well."
Chloe giggled, "I don't think you need proof when I'm here and offering you a reward."
"It's not a big deal, just something I have to do for my small family," Vernon said. "Speaking about Mackie..."
Vernon glanced at the clock on the wall, and Chloe jolted after she realized something, "Oh crap! Mackie's school will end soon, I have to pick her up!"
Chloe quickly escaped Vernon and grabbed her bag. She wore her shoes and told Vernon, "I'm sorry, Vernon. But I don't want Mackie to wait for too long. We can do it tonight if you want."
Vernon chuckled, "Sure, sure. Go pick her up with the chauffeur. Mackie will be upset if you're too late."
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