Ch. 346..350: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 346-350

Chapter 346

​ "Okay, all served, boss," Chloe smiled at Vernon after arranging the lunch for Vernon.

Vernon sat in front of the table full of lunch and then looked up to stare at Chloe, "And where's yours?"

Chloe was already well prepared. She pointed at a plate filled with the portion of her food.

Vernon's lips perked up as he was satisfied with the answer, and he patted the spot right beside him on the sofa, "Sit here with me, let's have lunch first before we start."

'Before we start?' Chloe wondered if there was another problem between them. She thought they made up last night. After all, Chloe didn't want to see Vernon looking devastated just because he said the wrong thing.

'Though, I have to admit that there is a thorn in my heart because we simply swept the problem under the rug…' Chloe thought.

The argument between them happened yesterday when Vernon said something that Vincent usually said.

-

I know that all women are materialistic and only love their men because of their money.

-

It still offended her, and she was even more offended when Vernon didn't seem to understand what he said wrong.

'But all is well now, right?' Chloe thought. 'It's better to just act like nothing happened yesterday. I don't want to get hurt again because of Vernon's words, and I certainly don't want to stress Vernon out for something unnecessary….'

Thus, Chloe picked up her plate and sat right on the sofa.

But she was at the edge, as she found sitting beside Vernon while eating might ruin Vernon's appetite.

Vernon noticed the gap between them. He rolled his eyes and wrapped his hand around her waist.

"Ah— Vernon—!?" Chloe was startled when Vernon suddenly pulled her closer. So close that their thighs were rubbing on each other.

"Why do you need to distance yourself like that?" Vernon protested. "What's wrong with sitting close to me?"

Nothing wrong…" Chloe replied meekly. "It just feels… a little embarrassing…"

"Embarrassing?"

"Mhm…" Chloe pointed at their thighs and said, "At least put some gap between our thighs…."

"W—Well, that's because it's already autumn. The wind is very chilly, so it's better to share some warmth!" Vernon tried to justify his action, even though it came out as weird, Chloe.

"We're indoors, and you have a heater inside your room…." Chloe commented.

"J—Just shut up and eat! Damn, why are you so nosy about small things?"

"Um, okay… but you need to let go of my waist first. You've been holding it for a while."

Vernon grunted as he found that request to be against his will. But he reluctantly removed his hand from her waist and grabbed the plate.

He started eating his lunch and dared not look at Chloe.

Chloe smiled as she watched Vernon eat a big portion of food without a problem. It gave her a feeling of satisfaction to see him eating, and it also gave her an appetite.

Thus, she also started eating her lunch.

At this moment, two people sat close on the sofa, eating their lunch in silence, and it was a moment that felt precious for Chloe.

Because she had never had this kind of moment with Vincent. She always ate alone, and when she started suffering from stress and depression that led to an eating disorder, she began to eat in hiding.

She'd eat in her bedroom or bathroom if Vincent was at home. Because every time she ate even a pinch of bread, Vincent would ridicule her by calling her a fat fuck that should starve so she'd lose weight.

So she developed a fear of eating overtime…

Chloe glanced at Vernon, who was still busy with his plate. He ate so fast that he choked midway.

"Uk!'

Chloe put her plate on the table and poured a glass of water for him. She handed the water to Vernon so he could drink it.

Chloe rubbed Vernon's wide back and reminded him, "It's not good to eat too fast. Try to eat slower, okay?"

Vernon nodded absentmindedly. He glanced at Chloe's plate on the table and commented, "You're barely eating your lunch. Do you want me to feed you instead?"

"N—No need," Chloe refused. She was still unable to accept the fact that Vernon continuously spoon fed her.

No matter how often they did it, she simply couldn't get used to it.

"But promise me that you'll eat everything on your plate," Vernon pressed. "I will have to shove everything in your mouth if you don't eat them."

"Shove—" Chloe had a fleeting, perverted thought, reminding herself of what happened with them last night.

But she quickly warded off the thought and nodded, "I'll eat everything, I promise."

Thus, they finished their lunch until there were empty plates on the table.

Vernon slumped on the sofa while drinking his banana milk from a straw. He was satisfied with today's lunch because Chloe was here to eat with him.

He realized his mood would always improve when Chloe was near him. Everything would be alright if he could see her with his own eyes.

'Maybe this is what Shailene said about dependency…' Vernon thought while staring at Chloe, who was cleaning the plate. 'I am dependent on her. I want her presence in my life, and if she's away from me, I will feel like a lost kid….'

Vernon always claimed that he hated to be called a kid, especially by Chloe.

Because he was a grown-up now. He was a big man who could protect and provide the best for her.

But he had to admit that he wanted to be treated as one when Chloe was around…

'Urgh, to hell with Shailene and all of her bullcrap. She's trying to confuse me because she's jealous,' Vernon claimed. 'So what if I'm dependent on her? So what if I am obsessed with her? There is no point of feeling guilty over the obvious things in my heart….'

Chloe finished cleaning the table and was about to leave with a stack of plates. But Vernon held her, "Stay for a moment, Chloe. I want to talk to you."

Chapter 347

"Stay for a moment, Chloe. I want to talk to you," Vernon said.

…

Chloe felt that her feet became itchy and wanted to leave as soon as Vernon asked her to stay.

She didn't know what he wanted to talk about, but she didn't want to listen.

Because every time they talked, there would be an agreement that would end badly between them.

'Why can't we just maintain our current status of acting like there's nothing wrong, and pretend we're in a good relationship?' Chloe said in her heart.

She wanted to say it out loud, but knowing Vernon, he'd probably get offended at her for being weak hearted.

She simply didn't want another fight. She was too tired to fight with Vernon, especially when she had problems with Vincent.

…

"Do we really need to?" Chloe asked, hoping she could avoid another conflict and get the rest she needed.

"We do," Vernon nodded solemnly. He needed to address this with Chloe because this was about her safety.

However, Vernon noticed the reluctance on Chloe's face. She looked uncomfortable when he insisted on having a talk together.

He was already annoyed by her reluctance. He was even angry that Chloe would give that kind of expression to him. It made him feel like he had been rejected, even though he did nothing wrong.

But, he had to hold himself, not lashing out at her, or he'd scare her again.

"This is important, Chloe. Don't avoid me," Vernon insisted. His voice was calm yet held so much command in it. Thus, Chloe had to comply despite her reluctance.

"Let me put this in the pantry first," Chloe said while glancing at the tray full of empty plates in her hand.

"Okay."

Chloe left the CEO's office and breathed in relief. She walked past Diamond, who was busy working in front of the computer.

After she put the empty plates in the kitchen sink, she returned to Vernon.

She stood in front of the CEO's office door, still trying to muster up some courage before she had to fight with Vernon again.

'This is torture…' she thought. 'I don't want to argue with him. I don't want to get hurt….'

Diamond noticed her homegirl standing in front of the door with a wry look. Thus she turned her chair to face her and asked, "What's wrong gurl?"

"Ah— Diamond, it's… nothing."

"Oh come on, do we need to do this again?" Diamond rolled her eyes. "Just tell me what's wrong, gurl. You know I'm always here to help you."

After a moment of consideration, Chloe decided to open her mouth, "Um… it's about Vernon…."

"And what did he do this time?" Diamond was ready to throw hands in case her boss hurt her best friend again. She didn't know what that asshat's problem was, but whenever he opened his mouth to talk with Chloe, he'd always say something wrong that would end up hurting her.

"H—He didn't do anything. But… he said he wants to talk with me…." Chloe replied. She sighed, full of woe. "I'm afraid that we'll fight again."

"Oh, that—" Diamond stopped right before she ran over her mouth. She was about to say that her boss wanted to talk about her meeting with Maria since it was an important topic that couldn't just be brushed off like usual.

But she knew that was her boss' right to talk, so she had to keep it to herself.

"Gurl— Chloe, you don't to be afraid," Diamond assured. "Just relax and listen to what Mr. Phoenix Gray say to you, it's for your own safety."

"For my own safety?" Chloe was surprised, and her mind instantly suspected that Diamond must've known something about her meeting with Maria.

Because Chloe was nowhere near danger before she met with that old hag today.

'Did the meeting get leaked? Or maybe Maria herself informed Vincent and perhaps… Vernon about our meeting.'

Chloe became nervous instantly, 'Oh no, did I get discovered? I don't want Vincent to know that I've been hiding under Vernon's protection the whole time. If Vincent has discovered this, then Vernon might not be safe anymore. Vincent will definitely hunt him down.'

Chloe was now plagued with a different kind of fear. She wasn't scared of fighting with Vernon anymore, but she was scared of Vernon's safety.

She didn't mind if Vincent would beat the shit out of her for 'running away.' After all, Chloe was used to it.

But if she involved Vernon in this, to the point that Vernon might be in danger, she would rather give herself to Vincent.

"T—Thank you, Diamond. I will keep that in mind," Chloe replied nervously.

"Okay, goodluck, homegirl!" Diamond got up and opened the CEO's office door for her.

Chloe swallowed her saliva hard. She didn't know what awaited her. She might have to leave right after this, but if that was for the safety of Vernon, then she didn't mind.

The only problem in her mind was Mackie.

She didn't know what to do if she ended up homeless with her daughter again.

'Let's think about that later, Chloe. You have to face Vernon first and address the problem.'

Chloe walked in and saw Vernon still sitting in the same spot. He was still slumping on the sofa like a waste, which baffled her, 'How could Vernon act so unconcerned when his whole life is on the line? Doesn't he realize that his Big brother will chew him up after this?'

Vernon saw his beloved walk in, looking nervous as always. He quickly sat straight and pointed at the chair directly facing the sofa, so they could have a serious conversation about this.

Chloe sat on the seat slowly and lowered her head as soon as Vernon stared straight at her.

She was overtaken by guilt and wouldn't be able to forgive herself if something happened to Vernon.

Vernon's brow creased as he noticed the nervousness, "I haven't started talking and you're already lowering your head. Am I really that scary to you?"

Chapter 348"I haven't started talking and you're already lowering your head. Am I really that scary to you?" Vernon confronted. He had been dying to know about this too.

He felt that Chloe was scared of him for no absolute reason. Sometimes, he wondered if she just hated his presence, thus why she didn't even look at him.

"No, I'm not scared of you...." Chloe replied. 'Well, I was scared of you initially. Because you keep screaming at me, I feel weak whenever I get screamed at. I'd tremble and fall on the floor, cowering because I don't want to get hit....'

'But you've never hit me, even when I know that you're very angry,' Chloe said in her heart. She lifted her head slowly until she saw Vernon at the corner of her eyes, staring intently at her.

'And I realize I will not get hurt when I'm with you....'

"Really? You're not scared of me?" Vernon asked again. He was unsure if he had heard it right.

Of course, he wanted to live in a fantasy if he could. He wanted to, in fact.

A fantasy where he and Chloe lived as a beautiful couple, where nobody would be able to hurt them, and where he could bask over her smile like a sunflower basking in the sun.

But they lived in a harsh reality, and he had to face the truth, even if it'd hurt him.

"Just tell me if you're scared of me, Chloe...." Vernon implored. "I'd rather see you scream at my face, telling me how much you're scared and hate me simultaneously. I don't want to keep arguing with you."

Chloe shook her head fervently. She didn't know how he could get the idea that Chloe hated him.

'How could I hate you? You saved me at my lowest!' Chloe said in her heart. 'I could've died, or been forced to return to that bastard Vincent without you!'

There were so many things that Chloe wanted to say, but she was tongue-tied.

She simply didn't know how to start.

Vernon closed his eyes briefly, trying to fortify himself, "Chloe, be honest with me. We can't do this forever."

"I don't want to add even more trauma to your heart," Vernon said bluntly. He had prepared himself before Chloe arrived and became fully ready after having a nice lunch with his beloved woman.

He realized this wasn't a game anymore. His Chloe's safety was on

"I know that you've been suffering from Vincent's abuse. You might never want to say it, but I know," Vernon said. "I know that everything is his sin. So... I don't want to hurt you."

Vernon got up and stepped slowly toward Chloe.

He kneeled right before her and gently wrapped his hand around hers.

He put Chloe's hand on his cheek and closed his eyes, "Tell me if you hate me, you can scream at me, and slap me if you need to."

"I never want to hurt you, but I am just a normal human. I might make a mistake, and I might offend you. So if I made you angry yesterday, just hit me as hard as you can. It's better than making my heart bleed."

...

...

​ While closing his eyes, Vernon was waiting for Chloe to slap her. He was anticipating a hard slap. After all, he made her cry many times without knowing what he did wrong...

But after five minutes of waiting, he felt Chloe's palm rub his cheek tenderly.

He opened his eyes, wanting an explanation from her.

But the moment he opened his eyes, he saw Chloe leaning towards his face and giving him a loving kiss on his forehead.

Vernon was stunned. His brain was short-circuited as he never expected such a loving kiss initiated by Chloe. He held his breath for an instant as time suddenly froze at this very moment.

He felt a gentle wave of heat flowing from the spot where Chloe kissed him down to every inch of his skin.

He froze on the spot until Chloe finished her long kiss.

Chloe leaned back and stared down at Vernon, who in return, stared up at her.

"Why?" Vernon asked as it was the only question that popped into her mind. "Don't you hate me? Don't you feel disgusted?"

That idea of Chloe hating and being disgusted with him had been engraved since that day when he heard how she called him a good-for-nothing bum, someone who wasn't going to be as successful as his Big brother.

That moment became a nightmare that he couldn't forget. Even now, he still expected Chloe to show a bit of disgust.

But she was smiling at him, which was a peaceful smile. As if she never held any grudge or disgust toward him.

"How could I hate you?" Chloe returned the question. "You've been nothing but a good boy when you were a kid, and you've grown up to be a good, successful man now, you're my pride and joy, Vernon."

"You took me in when I was at my lowest. Give me a place to stay and a job that I like...." Chloe said. "I cannot thank you enough."

"I... I don't understand how you could get the idea that I hate you, but...."

"You are the only man who could make me feel safe and happy. I never feel so much joy when I'm with someone else-- well, except for Mackie, of course, hahaha...." Chloe tried to insert her daughter, just in case, it might be a little too awkward between them.

Chloe's words were like a big wave that washed and filled every empty hole in his heart.

It was so overwhelming that Vernon's body started shaking.

His tears welled up, and he could cry anytime.

"Oh no, why are you crying, Vernon?" Chloe gently wiped the tears at the edge of Vernon's eyes. "You're a big man, aren't you?"

Vernon didn't care anymore. He released Chloe's wrist and hugged her waist instead.

He buried his face in Chloe's lap and started crying as if his life depended on her.

"Chloe... my Chloe...

Chapter 349

"Chloe… my Chloe…" Vernon murmured. "I… I don't know how I am supposed to live without you. You're my guiding light. Even through the darkest time, I only have you in my mind…."

Chloe heard Vernon murmur about something. But he was muffled since he buried his face in her lap and cried because she felt that her skirt became damp because of the tears.

'Wonder what he's murmuring about,' Chloe thought. But she shrugged it off and caressed Vernon's head, "Big guy, why are you crying?"

Vernon lifted his face and stared up at Chloe with tears and snot that made his usually handsome and intimidating man look like a lost child who had finally reunited with his guardian.

"I'm—"

Snort!

"—not crying!" Vernon defended himself while he kept trying to suck the snot back to his nostril. Chloe couldn't help but giggle. She pulled a few sheets of tissues, wiped the tears, and then the snot.

She smiled at Vernon, still staring at her so dependently, "Now, do you understand that I never have any hatred towards you? Never in my life do I ever think about hating you."

'But what I overheard is different…' Vernon replied in his heart. He knew that the conversation between Chloe and his late father would forever be a thorn in his heart.

Maybe he would confront Chloe about it later.

But for now, he just wanted to feel the warmth of his beloved woman without any kind of argument or fight. After all, he deserved to be spoiled by Chloe after they went through so much, right?

'Let me enjoy this for a while. I know we have so many things to work on, but I don't want to rush it and scare her in the end,' Vernon thought. 'I will take my time to melt her heart until she can fully open up to me.'

'Ah, let me enjoy this for a while. This feels so nice…' Chloe thought as she caressed Vernon's head. 'To have someone who would look at you with so much tenderness. I wished Vincent would look at me like then when we were still together….'

Chloe quickly warded off the thought when Vincent's face appeared in her mind again. She didn't want to keep remembering that bastard.

Vernon kept on kneeling and resting his head on her shoulder. Chloe glanced at the clock on the wall and realized they had been in this position for at least thirty minutes.

Thus, she warned him, "Vernon, are you satisfied? It's already half an hour since you're kneeling. Don't you feel tired?"

"No," Vernon replied curtly. He refused to move and wrapped his arm around her thin waist tighter than before. "Don't wanna."

"What do you mean you don't wanna?"

"Mm… let me stay like this for a while. I like hugging you," Vernon said.

Chloe sighed. She didn't understand how this man could become so sticky. He was like a baby koala that hung on his dear life to her.

"Well, Vernon, you called me because you want to talk about something, right?" Chloe opened the conversation first, or else they might get stuck in this position for hours.

And it worked. Vernon paused for a while and reluctantly released his arm around Chloe's waist.

He was disgruntled and annoyed because he knew that Chloe had brought up the topic because she didn't want him to hug her for too long.

"Fine, let's talk about it," Vernon said.

He returned to the sofa to sit directly facing Chloe.

He knew the severity and seriousness of the topic, so he had to resume his serious face despite his eyes kept looking at the lap that he rested on just now. He imagined how comfortable it'd be to just… sleep there and forget about everything.

Vernon joined his fingers together, staring straight at Chloe, and said, "Be honest with me, Chloe. You met someone today, right?"

…

Chloe closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she had 100% expected Vernon to talk about it.

'I wonder how he knew about my meeting with Maria. Nevertheless, it has happened, and I can't do anything about it other than admitting…' Chloe thought. 'I also have to make sure he puts his own safety as priority.'

"Yes, I did," Chloe replied. "I met with Maria, Vincent's old secretary. I met with her in the coffee shop near Mackie's school."

…

"And how did you two set up a meeting together? Was it through text?" Vernon continued investigating. He wanted to know if Chloe was actively chatting with someone else outside, especially Vincent and his cronies.

"She came up to me right after I sent Mackie to the school. She refused to move out of the driveway, and refused to leave until I'm willing to have a talk with her," Chloe replied.

"And what is the reason why you agree to talk to her in a place she set up?" Vernon asked. " You can always talk in the school's parking lot, right? You must have a good reason for wanting to talk to her in that coffee shop, knowing how dangerous it is."

"I—" Chloe stopped when she realized the real reason might piss Vernon off. She also didn't want to admit it to anyone because she found it shameful.

'I can't say that I agreed to talk with Maria mainly because I want to know what happened to Vincent. It would make me look pathetic….'

Thus, Chloe tried to find another reason that was also logical and was also a legit reason.

"Maria told me there is a rumor around the Gray family that I left because I want to run away with another man. Vincent spread misinformation about me, so I thought… I have to straighten a few things before everyone in Vincent's— and YOUR family see me as a cheap slut."

"I—I see…." Vernon thought the reason was solid. Though, he also had a feeling that wasn't enough for Maria to lure Chloe. So he suspected that Chloe wasn't telling everything.

'Did she hide something from me? Or am I just overthinking?

Chapter 350

'Did she hide something from me? Or am I just overthinking?' Vernon pondered for a second. 'Why would she hide something from me anyway? Was she in danger? Did Maria threaten her about something?'

Suspicions were flashing in Vernon's mind. He knew that he was probably overthinking most of them. But he wouldn't underestimate how cruel Vincent and his cronies could be.

He also had to put consideration on Chloe. Although she seemed to have opened up to him, Vernon knew there were layers of trust in Chloe.

She might trust him at the surface level, but she still hid many things from him.

Vernon's chest felt heavy as he realized he had a long way to fully obtain the love and trust of his beloved woman.

Not wanting to dwell on his sadness for too long, Vernon asked, "What did you talk about with that old hag?"

"Uhm... nothing much..." Chloe replied. "I kept explaining to her that Vincent was the one who cheated on me. But she still insisted that my explanation didn't matter. Because in the end, people will believe Vincent more...."

Chloe lowered her head pitifully. She knew that Vernon would eventually discover his Big bro's sins from her, no matter how much she tried to cover up for that bastard.

"I see..." Vernon's breath heaved, and he crossed his arms. "Do you know that you're being recorded the whole time?"

"RECORDED?!" Chloe snapped in an instant. "D--Did that old hag recorded me the whole time?"

"She did," Vernon confirmed. "Both audio and video recording. She has it all."

Chloe gasped, and she covered her mouth out of shock. She never expected that old hag to scheme her like this.

From Chloe's reaction, Vernon assumed she was utterly oblivious to the extent of the old woman's cunning nature.

"Well, there is nothing we can do about that. But are you sure that you don't talk about something serious with her?"

"N--Not at all!" Chloe shook her head fervently. "We're just talking about Vincent's cheating, that's all!"

"Mhm, that's relieving to hear," Vernon was worried about the recording. He was scared that Chloe might say something that could be used against her in case she went to court for her divorce later. "I've asked Diamond to get you a new car. You'll be driving a new car starting tomorrow, so you won't be recognized easily."

"Ah-- New car?"

"Yes, we don't know what kind of problem will arise later, so it's best to take measures," Vernon said solemnly. Honestly, his heart was bleeding when he told these sentences to Chloe.

Because it also proved his weakness and incompetency.

He was still weak compared to his Big brother, and he knew that if Vincent realized the whole truth now, the company he had built from the bottom would crumble instantly.

And to top it all off, Vincent would definitely force Chloe to return to his side and get abused again, 'I won't forgive myself if that really happens...'

'I have to work faster to snatch even more people from his side. So when the time comes, it'll be too late for Vincent to snatch Chloe back.'

"We can move to my other apartment, or perhaps buy a new property, so you'd be safe from him," Vernon said. "But the problem is with Mackie. I'm not sure if we should send her to another school or go with homeschooling instead."

"H--Hold on, Vernon--" Chloe stopped as she started getting overwhelmed by Vernon's words. "I--I don't understand...."

"About what?"

"About you um... wanting to buy me a new car, finding a new apartment, and about Mackie. Y--You know that you're going to anger Vincent once he finds out about this, right?"

"I know," Vernon said. "That's why we're taking measures for now."

Chloe was stunned at how easily Vernon answered such a heavy question. Vernon's current attitude gave off the idea that he knew well what he was going into.

'Does he intend to go against his Big brother?!'

Chloe's heart started beating rapidly as she found that idea to be extremely brave, yet stupid at the same time.

"V--Vernon, you're speaking crazy right now! You shouldn't go against him! He will kill you!" Chloe warned. She started panicking as she realized that she might be the reason for Vernon's downfall.

'OH MY GOD, what did I do?!' Chloe blamed herself in her heart. 'I shouldn't have met with Maria. Now Vernon's life will be ruined because of me!'

"I'm not speaking crazy," Vernon said solemnly. His eyes stared straight at Chloe, and there was no trace of fear in his eyes. He wanted her to know that he was not scared because he had planned everything since Chloe married Vincent.

"I know that I am going against him if I want to protect you," Vernon confirmed Chloe's fear, and her face paled instantly.

Chloe felt weak as if her blood had been drained out of her body. She started sweating cold beads, and she couldn't help but clench her skirt.

She was swept away by fear in an instant. The fear heightened when she kept thinking about Vernon, who would lose everything simply because he was kind enough to help her at her lowest.

Her sight started to get blurry as she could faint anytime right now. Vernon realized that Chloe's response was unnatural.

He knew that Chloe was traumatized by so many abuses she experienced, but this kind of reaction was too much.

She couldn't even stand the idea that someone would go against Vincent.

Thus, Vernon got up and walked towards her. He kneeled again, just like before, and checked on Chloe by holding her hands.

'Her palms--' Vernon was surprised at how much cold sweat she excreted in her palms. He looked up and saw Chloe's disoriented expression, and her body trembled harder as time passed.

Just from one look, Vernon knew that Chloe had a panic attack, and he didn't know how to deal with this.

"Chloe?" Vernon called her name, trying to snap her out, but it didn't seem to work.