Chloe and Mackie were shocked when they heard Vernon muttering that word. Never in their life had they ever seen him as a failed man.
Vernon was a powerful man that always protected them at all costs. He always prioritized Chloe and Mackie over his safety and did everything he could to keep them safe.
Mackie wondered why Uncle suddenly cried because he hadn't done anything wrong.
She looked up to ask for an explanation from Mommy.
But Mackie was even more surprised when she saw her Mommy, who also cried.
"Mommy?" Mackie asked. "What's wrong? Why are you crying too?"
Chloe tried to wipe her tears as she stared at Vernon, who looked so disheartened. This scene greatly affected her because she thought this whole mess was her fault.
If only she listened to Vernon bring at least a dozen bodyguards.
If only she had told him it was too early to visit Judith's body in the morgue because Maria and Vincent were still hunting her.
It was all her fault.
"I—It's not your fault, Vernon," Chloe muttered weakly, trying to lift some burden off his shoulder. "It's me who's at fault. It's me who insisted on going even though it's dangerous. It's also me who insisted on bringing as few bodyguards as possible."
The more Chloe tried to lift the burden off his shoulder, the sadder he got. Vernon couldn't stop his tears anymore. He began to sob like a child, "I failed to protect my wife and daughter twice. I don't know how can I look at you and Mackie with pride anymore."
Chloe didn't expect this whole thing to affect Vernon greatly, "Vernon, it's okay. Look, we left unscathed."
Vernon looked up, and he couldn't believe that Chloe still had the audacity to say she was unscathed when her face had been scratched somehow, and there was a bruise on her wrist, probably from one of those bastards who dared to catch her.
"Do you not understand, Chloe?" Vernon asked. "The more you try to hide everything from me, the more pain I get. Please stop trying to look strong and let me put all of your blame on me instead. I deserve it all."
Mackie looked at her Mommy and then her Uncle consecutively. She didn't know why they were crying when they weren't even arguing or fighting.
So she stepped forward and stood right in front of her Uncle and asked, "Uncle, you're not mad at us, right?"
Vernon hurriedly opened his arms and hugged his daughter tight. So tight that he basically buried Mackie inside his chest.
"My Little Wolf, it's you who needs to get mad at me," Vernon said with a trembling voice. "I failed you. I'm sorry that I failed you."
Mackie didn't know why Uncle was so sad. She might have been in danger with Mommy before, but at least she was still alive and well!
She struggled a bit, trying to break free from Uncle's bear hug, but before she could break free, Chloe suddenly opened her arm and joined in.
Vernon and Chloe buried Mackie in their arms as they embraced each other. The little girl felt stuffy as Uncle and Mommy hugged her, but she soon enjoyed it because of one thing.
She never had both her parents embracing her like this. It was usually only Mommy who hugged her, so this was a new experience for the little girl, and she loved being hugged like this!
She was also relieved to see Mommy truly happy with Uncle Vernon, unlike when she was with Daddy.
'Um… Mommy should've stayed with Uncle. I want her to be happy, just like how she wants me to be happy…' Mackie thought.
…
Chloe and Vernon released their embrace after a while. Vernon gently wiped the tears from Chloe's eyes and muttered, "I'm sorry, my love. I've failed you twice. I don't know how to face you after this."
"Mm, it's not your fault," Chloe said as she also did the same by wiping Vernon's tears with her hand. "I'm sorry for not listening to you. You are right, I was too rash, and impatient. If only… if only we can turn back time."
Chloe regretted every decision she made leading to the ambush today. But she was more worried about Mackie as she had to experience a traumatizing day.
Mackie was squeezed between her Mommy and Uncle. She waved her hand as he was trying to take some breath, "Mommy! Uncle! I can't breathe!"
"Ah, sorry, dear!" Chloe stepped back, and Vernon released his arms that hugged his beloved daughter.
Mackie panted as she finally got some air and then yelled, "How could Mommy and Uncle forget about me? I'm buried between your bodies!"
Vernon chuckled, patted Mackie's head, and said, "Well, that hug is an apology from Uncle, because Uncle failed to protect you."
"Uncle doesn't need to apologize!" Mackie insisted. "It's not your fault, so you should stop crying because my Uncle is a Big Bad Wolf! The Wolf is very strong and not a crybaby!"
Mackie looked at her right after that, "And it's also not your fault, Mommy! You're just trying to make me happy by bringing me to Gran! You also protected me when we were in danger! You are the best!"
Chloe and Vernon stared at each other and nodded in unison. They smiled and then kissed Mackie on the cheek.
Chloe and Vernon occupied each side of Mackie's cheek. Mackie was dazed. Again, this was a new experience for her to be kissed by her Mommy and Uncle, something that would never happen when they were with Daddy.
Mackie looked at her Mommy and Uncle after she got kissed, "Umm, why did you two kiss me just now?"
"It's a kiss of gratitude from Mommy. I'm so grateful that you've become such a strong little girl," Chloe said.
"Well, I just don't want to let your other cheek dry while your Mommy kisses you," Vernon teased. But he patted Mackie's head and said, "I'm so proud of you, Little Wolf."
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