My Blind Wife Wants Divorced

“Can we talk?” Leonel asked, following Chloe’s steps toward her room. The woman didn’t want any help, nor did she complain a word. She hiked up the stairs, feeling each step with the tip of her cane. From behind, Leonel observed how Chloe handled herself in her current condition.

When she found out about her condition, Leonel was at a loss. Not just him but the entire household. Chloe, usually gentle and caring, became emotional and lost control. Her anger kept surging, and she didn’t hesitate to throw things around. Profanities flowed effortlessly from her thin lips. But as time passed and her therapy progressed well, Chloe’s emotions stabilized.

She returned to being the attentive Chloe, but only towards certain people. Towards Leonel? Cold and completely untouched. If Leonel could say it, Chloe wasn’t like the wife he used to know. There was such a wide gap for Leonel to bridge. Usually, a slight smile and sweet words would make Chloe surrender.

But not anymore.

At the top of the stairs, Chloe turned around. It was still dark like her vision had been for some time now. But she was aware of Leonel’s presence nearby. One step away. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Do we have to do it at the top of the stairs?” Leonel chuckled. “I think in the living room would be better. Do you mind?”

Chloe paused for a moment. Leonel was referring to the spacious room on the second floor, not far from their bedroom. They rarely touched that room. Chloe would occasionally be there, relaxing while reading her favorite books.

“Fine,” Chloe said, taking the first step. But Leonel promptly offered his assistance. Annoyed and with a sharp wit, Chloe accepted, even though she couldn’t see Leonel’s expression. However, hearing his chuckle and the words that greeted her ears, Chloe was sure that his usual grin was present.

“I won’t cross any boundaries, Chloe. My help is not meant to belittle you. Just allow me to provide guidance.”

Chloe couldn’t refuse since her path was already blocked. Irritated, she nodded softly, which was met with a wide grin from Leonel. Though she still had questions, Leonel believed that this conversation held answers he desperately wanted.

Was it true what his mother had said?

But why didn’t Chloe speak to him?

“What do you want to talk about?” Chloe asked as soon as she sat on the plush sofa. She could sense Leonel sitting next to her.

“We haven’t talked in a long time, Chloe.”

Chloe scoffed. “A long time? I don’t think we’ve ever had a normal conversation, Your Excellency.”

Leonel grumbled but managed to contain his frustration. He slowly exhaled to lower his emotional state. “You’re right. We’ve never had a normal conversation.”

The woman’s face became stiff again. “Don’t waste your time, sir. I want to rest.”

“No, Chloe. Before you explain what you’re hiding from me…”

Chloe furrowed her brow. “Hiding? What am I hiding, then?” Then she remembered something. “I do not enjoy hiding and playing behind someone’s back. Maybe that question should be directed to you. But don’t worry.” Chloe positioned herself in a more relaxed manner. “I don’t care anymore.”

Leonel clenched his fists. His teeth gritted strongly. Once again, he restrained himself. Talking to Chloe always tested his patience. “Your inability to conceive,” Leonel said calmly. Surprisingly, even after the confrontation earlier, he managed to control the tone of his voice. However, to his utter surprise, Chloe grinned gleefully. It was as if his words were something she had been eagerly waiting to discuss.

“How do you know about that?”

Leonel was taken aback since Chloe didn’t seem bothered at all. He felt like his wife, who was still legally his wife, had hit her head. How could her heart be so light-hearted while discussing something sensitive for a woman? Pregnancy. Did Chloe let the affair happen because of her infertility?

“Ah, it must have been Mama Agatha who told you, right?” Chloe nodded, confirming his thoughts. “Well, that’s the state of affairs, Leonel.”

“Is it because of this that you never cared about my infidelity?”

Chloe smiled and nodded without hesitation. “So, I hope you’ll sign the divorce papers soon.” She stood up, reaching for the cane always near her. Walking in that direction, she heard the cane tapping, despite the fact that Leonel had been observing her closely since she stood up. He knew her steps were heading toward her room.

He sighed heavily. There were many things he didn’t know about Chloe all this time. He had only seen her appearance from the outside, not realizing the sadness she carried in her heart.

“Perhaps she didn’t want to talk and eventually agreed to let you remarry because of this, Leonel,” Agatha said with a somber tone and gaze, no longer looking at her son. “If Mama were Chloe, she would probably have been stressed and lost all motivation.”

Leonel fell silent, listening to his mother’s rambling. Her words resonated once again. He never imagined that the approval of his relationship with Ester was due to one or two reasons.

Meanwhile, behind her bedroom door, Chloe clenched the edge of her shirt. Her chest was filled with a mighty tumult. Tears streamed down uncontrollably. She tried her best to hold back the sobs that felt like they were about to escape and sounded heartbreaking. She had to do this because she genuinely wanted to separate from Leonel. She had had enough of all the betrayals her husband had committed. Deceiving so many people, including Mama Agatha, was not on her agenda. But if she could use it to achieve her goal, then Chloe didn’t mind.

She stood vulnerably for a while due to her tears. After trying to compose herself, she washed her face and changed into more comfortable pajamas to get a good night’s sleep. She also had to think about what she could do the next day. Chloe wasn’t the type to sit idly by, but her limitations hindered her.

Just as she was about to pull back the covers and curl up inside them, a knock on the door interrupted Chloe. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Who is it?” she asked, feeling her way and grabbing her cane. She strolled towards her bedroom door.

“It’s me.”

***[]***

Ester sighed as she found out who the visitor was at her apartment. Although she didn’t chase them away since it was already late, her reluctance to greet them with a smile was evident. Her hands clasped together with an irritated look in her eyes.

“Sorry, Miss Ester,” Sofi said with a guilty grin. Occasionally, she looked down out of shyness while facing her boss. “At least I can report to Mr. Leonel that you’ve taken your medicine and vitamins.”

“I’m not a child who needs constant monitoring,” Ester grumbled, displeased. “Just go home. Tell Rio to drive you.”

Sofi initially wanted to say something but eventually gave up. She nodded softly, obediently. “Excuse me, Miss Ester.”

Ester didn’t respond to anything, just watched the girl’s back until she disappeared into the elevator. Afterward, she clenched her fists and took frustrated steps. “Damn, Leonel!”

Why did he ask Sofi to come and make sure Ester was taking care of her health? Why couldn’t Leonel come himself? He sounded concerned on the phone but in reality? Oh my goodness, just remembering it made Ester furious. What was Leonel doing? He used to be attentive and worried about her. Argh! Ester felt like screaming.

Earlier, she had started feeling sleepy, and her body was beginning to relax. But because of this, all sleepiness disappeared utterly. It was replaced by irritation that kept her awake even as midnight approached. Her phone also had yet to hear from Leonel. Was he deliberately ignoring her?

Tomorrow, she wanted to drop by and surprise Leonel at his house.

Or was that enough?

Yes, Ester agreed with her heart to visit Leonel in the morning. Having breakfast there could be enough to make Leonel think twice about ignoring her. With this thought, a smile refused to leave her lips. She prepared herself for bed, anticipating the morning when she would only have a few hours to rest in the remaining day. It didn’t matter. She could hide the bags under her eyes with makeup.

Ester and her skills didn’t need any doubt.

However, it was all just a plan. She overslept. Whether it was due to the effect of the medication she took, which was meant to help her body rest, or if the universe didn’t approve of her causing a commotion at the Grisham residence this morning, she didn’t know.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Nevertheless, when she opened the door, the man who had made it difficult to sleep the previous night was already there. He sat casually with a cup of coffee, staring at his laptop screen. He looked severe; his light blue shirt rolled up to his elbows. Ester’s eyes quickly searched for a clock on the living room wall. It was already past ten, more than ten minutes.

Oh, my goodness.

She missed breakfast, and her plans ended up in disarray.

“Are you awake?” Leonel asked with a thin smile on his lips. “How are you feeling?”