My Blind Wife Wants Divorced

Chloe’s smile didn’t want to leave her face even though she was back in her luxurious home. She deliberately touched the surface of the fish pond with her bare toes beneath the gazebo, where she usually sat and relaxed with a cup of tea and some snacks. Simply enjoying the day outside her house positively impacted her.

She didn’t think about the meeting earlier. The conversation that took place was limited to work and hobbies. The three of them had become like entertaining friends for Chloe. Besides, she would be leaving this house soon. There’s no way Leonel could hold onto their divorce papers, but even if he did, Chloe wouldn’t hesitate to seek another lawyer to handle it. There was no denying their relationship anymore.

Only one big plan remained: to teach and inform Ester how she was viewed within the Grisham family. So that woman could feel the same pain Chloe felt. It shouldn’t be only her who suffered from their affair, but Ester too, by not being accepted into the Grisham family. Chloe was sure it wasn’t just Papa Robby and Mama Agatha who disliked Ester. Leonel’s grandfather, Grandpa Hatta Grisham, would surely agree with his son, especially concerning the prestigious and conservative Grisham family. After that, Chloe would leave this place. She had experienced enough during these five years.

“Peni,” Chloe called out, feeling the cool breeze hitting her body. It might be evening already. She wasn’t sure.

“Yes, ma’am.” Peni quickly approached and helped Chloe to stand up from her seat. Since Chloe’s return to this grand house, Peni had been feeling restless, especially after ignoring Leonel’s phone calls. Peni had never done that before. She was afraid that Leonel would be angry when he came back. She hadn’t replied to any of her boss’s messages because of Chloe’s request.

“Take me to my room, please. I want to rest,” Chloe said with her sweet smile. She followed Peni’s guidance before stepping onto a flatter surface. Chloe had the cane in her hand, but Peni held it tightly as if she wouldn’t let Chloe fall or have any mishaps. Although Peni was paid monthly by Chloe, she could still feel the difference between genuine care and merely fulfilling her duty as an employee. “Thank you, Peni.”

“You’re welcome, ma’am. Watch your step.” Peni said softly. Her hand was still attentively supporting her employer. But her movement stopped when Chloe also halted her footsteps. “Is there something wrong, ma’am?”

Chloe briefly thought, what if she accelerated the divorce? After all, there was nothing left to do in this house, right? Even though there was ample opportunity during the Grisham family gatherings once a month after the company’s birthday party. She should postpone it a little longer to pursue her plan while making new plans. The conversation with Darren about hobbies and business opportunities had opened Chloe’s eyes to think further.

“Do you know that I’ll be divorcing your father soon?” Chloe said. “I don’t know if my eyes will fully recover by then; you’ll still be getting much better.”

“I’m sure you’ll recover, ma’am,” Peni quickly interjected “I believe in it.”

“I have the same confidence level as you,” Chloe smiled. She briefly raised her eyes, even though she didn’t know what the evening sky looked like, but in her heart, Chloe was sure its beauty hadn’t changed. “It’s just that I don’t know if my vision will fully return when the divorce happens.”

“I’ll be with you, ma’am. Wherever you choose to stay, I’ll be there too.”

Chloe laughed. “Are you sure? I’ll be a burden, you know.”

“No, ma’am. Not at all,” Peni retorted. “To me, you’re not like that. Don’t replace me with someone else, please, ma’am.”

“What if I can’t afford to pay you, Pen?”

Peni didn’t expect Chloe to say that. It was about something other than the considerable salary she currently received. It was just a speck of caring that Peni had for Chloe. “That doesn’t matter, ma’am. We can find a way to make a living together. Besides, I don’t have anyone else in New York City. What would I do if I went back to my hometown? Farming? It’s better to stay with you.”

Chloe chuckled even more. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, ma’am. Even Ms. Rossa already said that you and your father will divorce and…”

“So the news has spread, huh?” Chloe asked slowly. Her expression wasn’t too surprised by Peni’s words. Surely everyone behind this house knew about the turmoil in the host’s household. “It doesn’t matter, Peni. Don’t worry too much.” Chloe seemed to understand what Peni felt as the woman fell silent. Maybe because she accidentally revealed the conversation happening behind Chloe’s back. “I will indeed divorce your father. You all must know how I feel.”

“We believe in you, ma’am.” Peni’s hand, which had been on Chloe’s arm all this time, tightened as she pointed. “We all support you. Even though I’m new to this house, everyone here has told me the same things about you.”

“What is it?” Chloe asked curiously.

“You don’t deserve the treatment you’ve received from your father. Ms. Rossa told me a lot about you, and once again, I apologize for presuming to know about your life.”

Chloe was still trying to smile because it seemed like it wasn’t a secret. Chloe also realized that Rossa witnessed her struggle to gain Leonel’s attention all this time. She was never considered and only seen briefly by him. So, the decision to divorce was the best.

“It’s okay, Peni. It’s not a problem that you know about it. After all, it’s a reality that I can’t deny, right?”

They fell silent for a moment.

“That’s why I said if you come with me, but suddenly in the middle of it, I can’t afford to pay you. What will happen to your life?”

Peni looked at Chloe with an unreadable expression. In front of her, the woman in the sky-blue dress, hugging her body beautifully, was still smiling. It was as if her pain didn’t need to be worried about too much.

“It’s okay, ma’am. The most important thing is that I’m with you.”

***

“Is Chloe here?” Leonel asked as he stopped in front of his wife’s room. His intention to knock on the door was canceled when Peni came out of the room. Leonel’s question caught Peni off guard.

“Oh, my, sir.” Peni closed her eyes tightly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here.”

Leonel sighed. “Is Chloe here?”

“She is, sir. But it seems like Mrs. Chloe is already asleep,” Peni said, bowing her head. She didn’t dare to look at her master, especially remembering her negligence when Leonel called her earlier in the afternoon. She was afraid that Leonel would bring it up.

“I want to see her. Can you step aside?”

Peni blinked but quickly did as her boss requested. She wanted to eavesdrop, but who was she? Just someone employed in this house to assist Chloe during her recovery. So, she quickly moved aside, but her steps halted, and her body trembled when she heard Leonel’s words afterward.

“And I haven’t forgiven you for ignoring my calls and messages. Who do you think you are to act so freely? The person you’re accompanying is my wife. Understand?”

“Ye-yes, sir.”

Then Leonel entered Chloe’s room without permission, leaving Peni to pray that Leonel wouldn’t scold Chloe immediately. She still vividly remembered the brightness on her employer’s face. She didn’t want Chloe to become melancholic again tomorrow morning because of tonight’s conversation with Leonel.

Meanwhile, what Peni said seemed to be true. The figure of the woman who occupied almost half of his attention this afternoon was now peacefully asleep under her thick blanket. Her face looked serene with closed eyes, and her breathing was steady. Although there were many things Leonel wanted to ask, it seemed like he had to wait.

Moreover, why was he so bothered just because Chloe didn’t answer his calls? He rubbed his face in frustration. He needed to take a shower and change his clothes. That activity could ease the turmoil that had surrounded him since earlier. Although, when his eyes saw Chloe lying comfortably on her bed, an incredible relief seeped into his heart.

“Sleep peacefully, Chloe. I won’t disturb you,” Leonel approached without permission. He gazed intently at his wife’s face. He impolitely tidied the strands of hair that fell around her cheeks. Somehow, Leonel felt that Chloe’s face looked much brighter than before. It was as if she was smiling in her sleep. Did Chloe have pleasant dreams tonight?

“Do you know? Today, you messed me up, Chloe. Messed me up so much that I asked Chris to cancel our divorce,” Leonel chuckled at his words. “Let me fight for you, my dear. Can I?”

Leonel moved closer, then gently planted a long kiss on Chloe’s forehead. It was tender and filled with emotions. Don’t ask Leonel how his heart was dealing with all the complications he felt. Most of him didn’t want Chloe to leave him. The more he thought about it, the more his memories of Chloe caring for him kept replaying.

Satisfied with gazing at his wife’s face, Leonel left her room. There was a relieved smile on Leonel’s face as he prepared to sleep tonight. Leo also had a clear image of Chloe’s beautiful face that he had captured in his mind. Leonel often looked at Ester while she slept beside him, but this time, it felt different when he looked at his wife. He couldn’t explain why.

Yet, what Chloe did to him today was very frustrating. Was it because of the excessive concern he had for Chloe? His fear of the accident that kept replaying and dragging him into unforgivable regret?

I don’t know. Leonel himself needed clarification about interpreting everything. Only one thing he affirmed about his actions this time: canceling the divorce with Chloe. Regardless of the reasons Chloe gave, Leonel wouldn’t grant them. Instead, he wanted to change himself for Chloe. Maybe what his father and mother said about Chloe was true. Perhaps he didn’t know Chloe well enough all this time.

Oh my.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Leonel gently closed the door to Chloe’s room to avoid disturbing her, but he was surprised by his mother’s arrival. “Mom?”

Agatha smiled widely. “You… just got back? I wanted to talk to Chloe. Is she asleep?”

Leonel became confused in responding to his mother’s words. “Yes, I think Chloe is exhausted.”

Agatha smiled meaningfully. “Oh, I see. Maybe I’ll talk to Chloe tomorrow. Besides, why did you leave the room after making Chloe tired?”

Leonel’s eyes widened in surprise. “It’s not like that, Mom. You misunderstood.”

“Huh? What did Mom misunderstand? Isn’t it normal for you to have fun in the room? Did I object to that, Leonel?”

Leonel was at a loss for words.