[129] b
Upon arriving at the hospital, Chloe hurriedly walked toward Leonel’s ward. This time, she didn’t want to leave Darren alone like when she first heard the news about Leonel. Although Darren was with her, Chloe realized that she had been neglecting Darren’s presence. She didn’t want Darren to feel that way again. She was in a state of panic when she found out about Leonel’s accident.
Darren and Chloe walked side by side toward Leonel’s ward. When they arrived at the VVIP room, Chloe stopped in her tracks. Through the window, Chloe could see that Leonel was still unconscious. There were monitors and medical equipment on both sides of him, ensuring his condition was stable.
Chloe leaned against the wall in the hospital. She wanted to go in but was concerned about disturbing Leonel.
“Do you want to go in?” Darren asked Chloe, who chose to remain silent after peaking at Leonel from the outside.
Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Can I?”
Darren nodded quickly. “I think in this condition; Leonel can be visited.”
They exchanged glances for a while before Darren nodded again.
“Go ahead, Chloe. Take care of your business with Leonel. I’ll wait here.”
Chloe’s eyes welled up with tears. She wouldn’t waste this opportunity. She had decided since the journey to visit Leonel this time. She couldn’t let her feelings sway like this. She couldn’t destroy Darren’s genuine love for her. Meeting Leonel, even though he was still unconscious, was Chloe’s way of bidding farewell.
“Thank you,” Chloe said, slightly tiptoeing. She gave Darren an affectionate kiss, and he smiled faintly.
For Darren, there was something they needed to resolve before he and Chloe moved forward. He didn’t want any lingering feelings in Chloe’s heart about her ex-husband when they were officially husband and wife.
With Darren’s permission, Chloe nodded slightly. She entered Leonel’s ward directly. Chloe approached and confirmed that Leonel was indeed starting to recover. She sat by her ex-husband’s side, carefully holding his hand. She hadn’t forgotten the touch of those hands that once touched her, leaving only bare memories.
“Leonel,” she softly called.
Whether it was a miracle or a test from God to gauge Chloe’s steadfastness in her love for Darren, the man slowly regained consciousness. Chloe could sense some faint movement and saw his eyelids twitching before slowly opening. His hand also moved within Chloe’s grasp. His newly opened eyes glazed hazily in Chloe’s direction.
After a week, Leonel finally woke up. He immediately held Chloe’s hand tightly. Chloe, seeing Leonel’s condition at that moment, fell silent. She couldn’t say much. Various emotions stirred within her, causing her to be overwhelmed. She felt a mix of joy and tears. Meanwhile, Darren chose to remain outside. He had no desire to enter the room because he didn’t want to see Chloe and Leonel together.
Allowing them to settle their past story was right for him to do now.
“Mama,” Leonel muttered, causing Chloe to blink repeatedly.NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.
In fact, upon waking up from his coma, the person Leonel referred to was Agatha Theodore, his mother. Meanwhile, Chloe remained silent, trying to compose herself. Chloe didn’t let go of his hand. She wanted to call the medical team to examine the newly awakened patient thoroughly.
Perhaps Leonel’s blurry vision made him mistake Chloe for his mother, Agatha, who was hospitalized with him. Meanwhile, Chloe remained silent while still holding Leonel’s hand. She felt a deep sadness seeing his current condition. Chloe couldn’t comprehend how Leonel, who was always cautious when driving and accustomed to having a chauffeur, could be involved in such a severe accident.
Tears still occasionally wet Chloe’s cheeks. Seeing Leonel’s condition, she couldn’t hold back her tears. But she continued to gently stroke the back of Leonel’s hand, giving him encouragement to keep fighting and persevering during this recovery period. She could also see that he was still partially unconscious as, after saying “Mama,” he tried to open his eyes again slowly.
Chloe felt relieved now. At least Leonel had regained consciousness and passed the critical stage. However, one thing held her attention. Leonel… was he crying? Why? Or was the pain from his injuries starting to bother him? What should Chloe do? She needed to call the doctor right away.
“Why… are you crying?” Chloe asked, her voice full of emotion. Without permission, her other hand reached out to wipe the tears flowing from the corners of Leonel’s eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I failed to fight for Chloe’s heart again. I’m sorry if I couldn’t fulfill Mom and Dad’s wishes. I can’t return to Chloe and bring her home like before. Mom, Leonel regrets his past mistakes that caused Chloe to distance herself from him. But I can’t make her return.” His words left Chloe frozen. The hand she had used to wipe Leonel’s tears remained suspended.
“I’m sorry for giving up on winning Chloe’s love again. She has someone else now who will make her much happier than being with me,” Leonel said, his eyes still closed and tears streaming down his face. Chloe unconsciously started crying too, and her tears instantly wet her cheeks.
She immediately covered her mouth to muffle her sobs. Upon hearing Leonel’s words in front of her, for some reason, a feeling of tightness in her chest emerged. Even Leonel was unaware he was speaking to Chloe, not his mother, Agatha.
Chloe repeatedly wiped away her tears as they continued to flow. She was deeply moved by what Leonel was saying to her. She never expected that Leonel’s struggle was genuinely sincere and not motivated by any ulterior motive. So, this past week, Leonel truly wanted her back in his arms.
Chloe allowed her hand to keep holding onto Leonel’s hand.
She also allowed Leonel to ramble, speaking about their past, especially their relationship. She heard every word of regret and self-reproach directed towards himself. Hearing Leonel’s words and remorseful feelings about his past behavior touched Chloe’s heart. She could see that Leonel sincerely acknowledged his regrets. It made Chloe pause and think that Leonel truly regretted his actions this time.
Should she postpone her planned farewell? Meanwhile, not far from where she sat with her ex-husband, another man offered her a more complete love.
Chloe was filled with uncertainty.