Ch. 391..395: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 391-395

Chapter 391

"Is your heart made out of ice, Chloe?"

The question stunned Chloe, who never expected Diamond to speak so harshly.

Throughout all of Chloe's problems, Diamond never argued with her, she was very supportive - too supportive, really, and she believed that Diamond would never disagree with her.

With dazed eyes, Chloe stared back at Diamond. Her mouth gaped as she tried to comprehend what had just happened.

"D—Diamond, you—"

"What? "Are you surprised that I would disagree with you?" Diamond challenged boldly. She leaned on the chair with her arms crossed on her chest. She was never like this in front of Chloe, and that honestly startled her.

Then she crossed her legs and said, "Do you know why I have always supported you, Chloe?"

…

"I willingly put myself through many stuff to support you because I have the greatest respect for you, as I am aware that you have gone through a great deal, Chloe," Diamond answered to the question that she was asking for, knowing that Chloe probably had no idea why she was always by her side.

"You're so brave to come to Vernon's office. I know how much courage it took for you to drop all your pride and beg for a job. I know you did it out of desperation because you need to provide basic necessities for your daughter."

"Then you told me your story, and how you left your ex-husband after ten years of abuse..." Diamond said, reminiscing about the moment she realized Chloe was a strong woman.

"I admire your resolve to leave Vincent. It's amazing that you're able to break free from his shackles despite all the odds."

For a split second, Diamond's gaze softened. She had to admit that she still adored his homegirl.

But she had to be firm now because Chloe was going to make a U-turn back at Vincent.

"I—I'm still keeping my resolution to leave him…." Chloe tried to defend herself, but when she faced the scornful gaze from Diamond, she got a little intimidated and lowered her head quickly.

"Really? Keeping your resolution? Haha… that's funny, Chloe," Diamond replied, full of contempt. "Do you think by leaving Vernon after a year, you'd have a peaceful life with your daughter?"

"Do you really think that Vincent won't chase after you to another state? Be. Fucking. For. Real."

"By leaving Vernon alone, all you did is just ruin his life. He will be heartbroken, and might not be able to recover anymore, and you will expose yourself and your daughter. You WILL return to Vincent's mansion, either by force or based on your hopelessness."

"I—" Chloe was speechless right now, unable to find a way to counter Diamond, who kept on attacking her until she felt defeated.

"Chloe Carlson, you're just making a U-turn back to Vincent. You're not a strong woman by being wishy-washy and insipid like this," Diamond said ruthlessly. She said things that she had never said to her homegirl before.

She was ruthless, and she thought it was necessary.

She got up from the chair and looked down at her best friend, who looked defeated.

Her heart was aching, but she had to slap some sense in Chloe.

Diamond was worried that Chloe would make a horrible decision sooner or later. So Diamond tried to do some prevention before her homegirl did something utterly stupid.

"Look, if you want to give up and return to your abusive husband, then go for it. You should've done it sooner though, so you wouldn't hurt a man who is so dedicated to save you," Diamond said coldly. "I'm not going to stop a spineless woman who will repeat her cycle of abuse."

Diamond strutted past Chloe's chair, but before she left, she halted and added, "Don't worry about Mackie's celebration. I will tell my boss not to do too much, just because I agree that she should save the big celebration for important events in her life."

"And for you, Chloe…." Diamond paused for a second. She took a deep breath before continuing, "Go do whatever you want. I am not interested anymore."

Chloe was visibly shaken upon hearing her best friend giving up on her. She quickly turned around. She wanted to reach Diamond, but she had already left.

"Diamond…" Chloe murmured her best friend's name. She slumped on the seat weakly. Everything was sudden, and she didn't expect her best friend to turn on her.

Chloe was hurt when Diamond called her wishy-washy and spineless. She was not trying to sound or act like a weak woman, but completely breaking free from the trauma and fear that haunted you for ten years straight was really difficult.

"Yeah, she's right. I… I might be a little spineless and wishy-washy. But there is a reason for it…." Chloe wanted to say all that right in front of Diamond's face.

However, Chloe had to admit that she would hurt Vernon when she left.

She might also hurt Mackie by separating her from another father figure.

She might even hurt herself because deep in her heart, she knew that Vincent would eventually catch and throw her back into that lavish cage, where she couldn't even breathe without being humiliated.

…

'Does that mean I cause pain to everyone around me?' Chloe asked herself. She always put herself in the shoes of a victim because she was indeed a victim.

But Diamond's words weren't wrong either.

Her decision to leave Vernon would be a U-turn and hurt everyone, including innocent outside parties like Vernon.

"Then what should I do? Should I stay with Vernon forever?" Chloe asked herself as she felt stuck right now. "Of course I can't stick by his side forever. He has his own life, and I don't want to harm him even further."

…

Chloe closed her eyes and murmured, "Do I even have an option? Whether I leave or not, Vincent will still hunt me down. I don't know what he will do to me after he catches me, but I know it won't be pretty."

"Do I even have a chance to win against Vincent?"

Chapter 392

It took Chloe some time to recover strength and leave Starbucks.

Chloe returned to the office building and went up the elevator. Diamond's words occupied her mind the entire time, keeping her quiet.

She was a spineless, wishy-washy woman who would eventually return to her abuser, Diamond said.

While it was still hurtful, Diamond might have a point. Because even now, she was still thinking about giving herself back to Vincent because she was afraid that he would lash out at Vernon, hurting and possibly ruining Vernon's future just because he tried to shield her.

She planned to leave because she thought that would redirect Vincent's focus back to her, clearing Vernon of all suspicions, thus Vernon could continue his life as a successful young man without an old lady like her pestering around.

"But what's the point of all this if there is no escape from Vincent? All I did was just ruin someone's life…." Chloe lamented.

Ding.

The elevator door slid open as it reached the top floor. Chloe could see Diamond busy with her report on the secretary's desk.

She gave Chloe a quick look before returning to her work indifferently.

Chloe lowered her head and silently passed Diamond to the pantry. Honestly, she didn't want to come here because she felt she was unwelcome by Diamond.

But it was still her job to prepare lunch for Vernon.

Thus, she put everything in a tray and went to Vernon's office.

She knocked a few times before Vernon told her to come in.

Vernon was sitting on the sofa, eagerly waiting for his lunch because he had been starving this whole time!

"Damn, it smells good," Vernon commented as Chloe served the food in front of him. "Where's your food?" he asked.

"Ah, I already ate it with Diamond outside," Chloe replied with a lie. It was still in her lunch bag. She just didn't feel like eating right now.

"Are you sure?" Vernon squinted suspiciously. He still had to make sure that Chloe ate her food.

"Mhm, just eat yours first, I'll leave now," Chloe said.

"Wait, sit here with me, I want to tell you something," Vernon ordered, forcing Chloe to stay.

…

Chloe reluctantly sat beside Vernon and watched the young man eat the food she cooked with relish as if it was the best lunch he had ever had.

'Ah, it makes me feel good to see him eating so well…' Chloe thought, trying to grasp any self-comfort.

Vernon slumped on the sofa after having his lunch. He drank his banana juice while staring at Chloe before commenting, "What's wrong?"

"Huh?"

"You look troubled, Chloe."

"I—I'm not," Chloe quickly fixed her face, ensuring she didn't slip up in front of Vernon.

…

"Just tell me, seriously," Vernon confronted. "Seeing you looking so troubled distresses me as well."

…

"Chloe?"

Of course, Chloe couldn't say that she planned to leave Vernon after she got her first salary. But she had other things in mind she could talk to right now.

"Vernon, about Mackie's celebration, what do you want to do?"

"Ah, I'm thinking about emptying a mall for a night, and allow Mackie to take anything she wants there. It'll be good to spoil her a little, right?"

Chloe's body visibly stiffened when she heard how excessive that sounded.

Vernon might have the money to spoil Mackie rotten, but Chloe wanted to teach Mackie the meaning of money and how she needed to be watchful of the money she spent.

After all, her father would never buy her something super expensive…

"I—I know that you have the money, Vernon," Chloe said. "But I don't think it's wise to give something like that to Mackie."

"Huh? Why not?" Vernon frowned. "I thought it's already a small celebration, I don't know what's smaller than that."

Besides, Mackie was a daughter of a billionaire. She should be getting her own private jet by the age of seven.

In fact, Vernon got a sports car for a birthday present when he was seven, which he never used. First, he couldn't drive at that age, and second, all he wanted was a goddamn skateboard!

'And Chloe was the one who bought me a skateboard,' Vernon reminisced.

"Um… I want to teach Mackie some humility. Vincent has never given her anything lavish, so I don't want to set up too many expectations on her…." Chloe said weakly.

Vernon went quiet for a few seconds, "He never gave her something lavish? Did he buy her some expensive toys at least?"

"No…" Chloe said. "But please don't buy her something that is too expensive. I want to teach her the meaning of earning and saving money!"

"Ugh, fine," Vernon was about to say that he would buy her a villa as a gift at least. But Chloe's pleading eyes made him weak, and he couldn't help agreeing.

Though he already had an idea of a gift, "I won't buy her lavish stuff. But I will still give her something as part of the celebration, alright?"

"O—Okay, thanks, Vernon…."

"By the way, did Diamond tell you about the two bodyguards that will blend with the people during the autumn festival?" Vernon asked, and Chloe nodded in response.

"Well, it will be one man and woman, so one can be guarding you outside, and one can follow you around, acting as one of the student's guardians," Vernon informed. "Don't worry, Chloe. I promise to keep you safe. I will never forgive myself if something happens to you."

Vernon stared at her with a gaze full of earnestness. As if he bet his pride on this.

He truly wanted to protect Chloe from all harm, even if it meant he had to waste his life.

'Vernon dedicates his life to protect me. He even went as far as scheming against his own Big brother…' Chloe thought. 'And what did I give him? Why am I thinking about running away when Vernon doesn't even hesitate to throw his life for me….'

Chapter 393

'Now I understand why Diamond was so offended when I said that I wanted to leave…' Chloe pondered.

She kept silent while staring at Vernon, who looked at her back with a deep, yet meaningful gaze.

'Oh, my sweet Little Vernon, how much you've grown since the last time I took care of you….' Chloe had so much pride for him.

She and Vernon might not be related, but she was still the nanny who cared for little Vernon.

She cooked for him, tutored him with stuff that he refused to learn from his teachers, listened to his worries since he grew up in a dysfunctional family, and watched him grow up from a little boy to a young teenager.

Now, looking at the handsome and robust man in front of her, Chloe felt a sense of pride.

'And look how much of a brave man you've become when you get older,' Chloe praised in her heart. 'And your bravery… gives me courage as well, Vernon.'

"Vernon, can I ask you something?"

"Uh-huh, what?"

"Do you not feel fear?" Chloe asked bluntly, which caught Vernon off guard.

He didn't expect that question to come from Chloe, whom he knew to be very meek.

Vernon wondered if he should just lie.

Of course, he felt fear. He was a human.

But he was also a man, and what man didn't want to show how cool and powerful he was? He wanted to be the strongest man for Chloe, so she could rely on him.

But again, under her gentle eyes, Vernon felt weak and exposed. He was like a kid caught red-handed for doing bad things and had to be honest no matter what.

"I… I feel fear, sometimes…." Vernon replied weakly, not wanting to be too loud to show his weakness.

"And what kind of fear do you have?" Chloe wanted to pry further because, based on what she had observed living with Vernon for more than six months, she concluded this man was a real daredevil who didn't give a shit about anything.

'The fear of losing you for the second time,' Vernon replied in his heart spontaneously. 'It far outweighs my fear of anything in this world, Chloe.'

Too bad he couldn't say that, as he didn't want to make Chloe uncomfortable.

"I—uh… I feared…"

"Hm?"

…

'Oh shit, I just realized that I feared nothing but losing Chloe,' Vernon started panicking. He was so engrossed with his fear of losing his woman the entire time that he forgot other fears he had.

'Should I just say that I'm scared of bugs? Huh, but that's way too cliche and uncool!'

Chloe sensed that Vernon was nervous for an unknown reason, so she tried to make it easier for him to answer by going straight to the point.

"Vernon, have you ever feared someone in your life?" Chloe asked. "Like… your Big brother."

"Ah—" Vernon was not surprised by Chloe's question. In fact, he was more surprised that Chloe hadn't asked him about this ever since he revealed that he was scheming against his own Big brother.

The same Big brother who could twist the law according to his needs.

"Don't worry about that," Vernon replied lightly, giving the illusion that Vernon feared nothing. "I'm not scared of him. Not at all."

"Y—You're not? H—How?" Chloe stammered, thinking that Vernon must be out of his mind for being so damn reckless like this!

But Vernon shrugged without worry, "I never see myself as less than my Big brother. He might be so powerful right now, but that doesn't mean that I can't topple him."

"I just need a good plan and careful strategy before I can turn the table between us," Vernon confidently sat straight and slightly puffed out his chest, like a man demanding praise from his woman.

He glanced at Chloe and smiled, "What? Are you still scared of him?"

…

Chloe thought Vernon would say that he feared his Big brother, so he had to play it safe because he feared the vicious rage that Vincent would rain down upon both of them.

"I don't understand…."

"About what?"

"About everything you said just now, Vernon," Chloe confronted the young man. "You said that you're not afraid of him, but you're now playing safe against him, right?"

"That's because I'm in a disadvantageous position right now. I can't challenge him when we're not in an equal ground, that is suicide," Vernon rebutted. "And if you think that is not-noble or whatsoever, then let me remind you something, Chloe—"

Vernon leaned forward and closed the gap between them. He wrapped his hand around Chloe's waist to stop her from escaping and then rested his chin on her shoulder before whispering;

"—to fight against a monster, you have to become a monster. Vincent is a monster who will do anything to maintain the image of a man. And I am an infamous monster in the biz world who will do anything to show that I'm just a man….'

'In front of the woman I love,' Vernon added in his heart.

He didn't care about what people said about him out there. All he cared about was what Chloe was thinking about him.

"So, if I may beg, please don't think of me as a coward. I'm doing whatever I can, I will show you how much of a noble man I am once I've beaten Vincent, okay?"

…

Vernon's answer completely took her off guard. She didn't even notice that he had been sticking aggressively so close by her side right now.

"Chloe, do you still doubt me?" Vernon asked.

He knew it was hard to convince Chloe about his strength because he was still trying to build his own empire.

But wouldn't it be nice to have the woman you loved support you during your endeavor?

"Vernon, I— I still don't understand…." Chloe repeated. "You said that you're no less than him, and… and you claimed that you can topple him. I—I thought this whole time you are—"

"—feeling inadequate against my Big brother?"

Chapter 394

"—feeling inadequate against my Big brother?" Vernon completed her sentence, and Chloe nodded weakly.

…

"Well, I was—" Vernon replied to the question truthfully. He didn't want to hide too much, knowing that Chloe still had doubts about them and how they could defeat Vincent.

He knew it was natural for her to have that doubt. The trace of ten years of abuse wouldn't be erased so quickly.

All the pain, fear, and messed-up ideas that stemmed from ten years of abuse weren't like a sand castle that could be washed away anytime. It was more like a stone tower at this point, standing tall, waiting for someone to take it down and crash it into rubble.

And Vernon would do anything to wreck that tower.

'If your doubt is a mere sandcastle, then I will be a gentle wave that will wash you ashore slowly,' Vernon said in his heart. 'But if your doubt is like a stone tower, then I will be a wrecking ball that will clear up all your doubts in one sweep.'

'All you need to do is to trust me, Chloe'

"—I was feeling inadequate towards him for a long time," Vernon replied. "But no more, not when I have my support system."

"Support system?" Chloe wondered what kind of support system Vernon needed until he could erase his feeling of inadequacy. "Must be something great. Was it money?"

"Money?"

"Mhm, now that you're continuing rising and would eventually reach that billionaire status, does that make you feel confident against your Big bro now?" Chloe asked.

"Ahahaha! Okay, that's a bit funny," Vernon felt like his heart was turning into a soft, mushy, sweet cake. He didn't expect Chloe to not realize that SHE was the support system Vernon needed the whole time.

She had always been the woman that caused everything for Vernon, both good and bad.

"Money is a way to make your life comfortable. But materialistic things never bother me. My support system is someone— a woman who makes me feel at ease. She gives me a place I can rest, just like how I rest my chin on her shoulder," Vernon teased. "Do you know who she is?"

"W—Who?"

Oh, Chloe knew well who that woman was. She was unsure if it was right for her to claim the title because she was just an old woman who was not supposed to be the place for Vernon to rest.

Vernon let out a small laugh and whispered gently, "That is you, Chloe. You're the support system that gives me confidence to fight against my Big brother."

Honestly, Vernon had more continuation of his line. He wanted to say that having Chloe by his side meant he was already winning against his Big Brother.

Because he knew that deep down, both brothers wanted to have Chloe by their sides. Both shared the same taste, but none wanted to share.

Vernon's words made her feel hot all over. She wasn't surprised by his claim that she was his support system.

Vernon might never say he was in love, but his gestures, sweet words, and the fact that he would do anything to protect her…

All his actions screamed 'love,' even though he never said it.

But Chloe was still unsure. Her mind told her to never reciprocate this young man's love for her because she was just a middle-aged soon-to-be-divorced woman with many issues.

She might as well never fall in love for the second time for the rest of her life.

But she was still a woman, and what woman wouldn't feel something when she was treated so gently…

"How can you get the strength to fight Vincent because of me, when I'm still scared to even face him, Vernon?" Chloe asked.

"Because I know your worth," Vernon replied lightly but with certainty. "You may not, but I do, and I'm pretty sure even your daughter and Diamond know your worth."

…

Chloe had nothing to ask anymore. Vernon kept answering all of them with confidence and bravery that she didn't have.

As bad as it sounded, Chloe expected Vernon to at least have some of her poor quality crawl under the table or cower at the corner of the room, desperately trying to defend herself with her bare hands when Vincent hit her.

Vernon was indeed a young man brimming with confidence and bravery. He didn't care what was in front of him and would do anything he wanted as long as it suited his interest.

He was wild, and she was timid.

'I think I have enough,' Chloe said to herself, knowing well that she wouldn't be able to match Vernon's energy.

She gently pushed Vernon, and the young man realized that Chloe would push him away and hide within her deeply depressing thoughts.

So, before she left, he whispered one last thing, "It may be hard for you to obtain the courage you need. But know that I will never leave you alone, and if I may beg—"

"Please never leave me alone, Chloe."

…

Chloe's heart was pinched from the inside. She didn't know whether it was intentional, but Vernon's plea was shot directly through her conscience.

Or maybe Diamond already told him about Chloe's plan to leave next year?

Either way, it was so effective for Chloe that she was left speechless.

Vernon slowly lifted his chin from her shoulder and sat straight in front of Chloe, "Okay, do you have something else to talk about?"

"… Nothing," Chloe replied. "I—I have to leave. I… uh… I have to clean the house or something…."

Vernon smiled upon listening to her cute reason, "Alright, I won't keep you here for too long anyway, I have a meeting I have to do soon. Don't worry about the celebration for Mackie, I'll make it as humble as I could be."

"Mhm, thank you, Vernon…."

Vernon watched the back of his beloved woman, and he murmured, "Truly, I don't understand how you can not see all the good things you bring in my life."

 

Chapter 395

Chloe got up and left Vernon's office. She walked slowly and stopped when she saw Diamond drinking a cup of coffee while reading something on her iPad.

Their eyes met, and Chloe tried to smile a little to ease the tension between them.

But Diamond quickly looked away, making Chloe's heart drop instantly, "I've packed your lunch bag in the pantry. You can just grab it and leave.

…

"Don't talk to me. I have things to do," Diamond cut out any possible interaction with her best friend.

Chloe murmured 'thank you as she passed Diamond to the pantry. She grabbed the lunch bag and halted her step right across from Diamond.

"Um… Diamond, I don't know if you'll like it, but…." Chloe picked something from the lunch bag and put it on the table. "This is a cup of pumpkin pudding I made this morning. I made extra so you can enjoy it."

"Hm, whatever."

Chloe lowered her head and finally went down the elevator.

Diamond continued focusing on her iPad, even though the screen was just a random document she clicked. She was trying to distract herself by not looking at her homegirl's face because she might break her character and hug Chloe.

She wanted to teach Chloe that she had to stand her ground, or else nobody would be able to help her.

But still…

The moment Chloe entered the elevator and went down, Diamond dropped her iPad and darted her eyes at a cup of pumpkin pudding made by Chloe.

She picked it up and dug into it without hesitation. She took a spoonful and closed her eyes as she found out that Chloe's pumpkin pudding was amazing!

"Ah, you're still thinking about me even after our fight. How am I supposed to maintain my animosity, homegirl…." Diamond murmured.

She was already on the verge of dropping the whole 'fight' thing with Chloe when her best friend smiled meekly at her. But she still had to continue doing this until Chloe realized her mindset was wrong.

"Ah, I think I'm going to cry," Diamond sobbed while eating the pumpkin pudding. "Come on, Gurl, get your ass up and stand on your ground. I can't do this for too long!"

"Ugh, I bet Mr. Pheonix Gray must've been distressed. Bet they're fighting again inside the office…."

Diamond always hated when Vernon and Chloe fought, mostly because she didn't know which side to take.

Most of the time, she would take Chloe's side.

But there were a few cases where it was definitely her homegirl's fault.

Vernon opened the door as he wanted to tell Diamond to start contacting the mall manager.

And the first thing he saw was Diamond eating a pudding while sobbing, something that he never saw before.

"Uhhh…" Vernon felt awkward, especially when their eyes accidentally met.

"Uhh… why are you crying?" Vernon asked.

**

Chloe entered the penthouse and immediately started cleaning everything around her. It was just a way to distract herself, as her mind was still preoccupied with Diamond's words.

It was so rude and offensive.

Yet it held truth in it;

"Spineless, wishy-washy woman who will return to her abuser…." Chloe repeated the line once more. She tried to brush it off, but the more she tried to distract herself, the more she realized that the word 'spineless' accurately described what she was doing.

Avoiding confrontation, trying to distract herself to forget the real problem, and acting as if everything was alright, just to endure and keep all the abuse that Vincent did to her.

She was spineless. There was no doubt about it.

Chloe continued her usual activity of picking up Mackie from her school. She listened to her daughter chirping happily as she was ready for tomorrow's event.

Chloe replied with a smile or a small hum because her mind was still stuck in that coffee shop where she fought with Diamond.

She returned home and started cooking dinner for the three of them.

Mackie continued chirping but soon realized that her Mommy wasn't listening. Usually, Mommy would cook while humming a song and chatting with Mackie.

But Mommy was very quiet right now, all she did was chop vegetables in silence, and her eyes were empty.

"Mommy, are you listening?" Mackie called her Mommy, and Chloe was unresponsive, busy with her own world.

Thus, Mackie jumped from the chair and went towards Chloe. She pulled the hem of her shirt and raised her voice, "MOMMY!"

"AH!" Chloe snapped out of her daze and looked down. "What's wrong, Dear?"

"Mommy, you're not listening to me!" Mackie pouted. "Are you alright?"

"Ahaha, Mommy is alright. I was just tired…."

"Tired? Un… Mommy doesn't need to cook then, I don't need to eat dinner!"

Chloe smiled and patted her daughter's head, "It's okay. I will rest after making dinner. Can you help me put small plates and bowls on the table?"

"Sure can, Mommy!"

The energetic little girl prepared the small plates and glasses on the dining table. When she heard the penthouse door being opened from outside, she dashed to greet her Uncle.

"Uncle!" Mackie hugged her tall Uncle's thigh.

Vernon smiled thin and ruffled Mackie's head, "How's your rehearsal?"

"Everything is ready, Uncle! I will be performing tomorrow, in the autumn festival!"

"That's good. Sorry I can't be there, but I will make up for it with a celebration, okay?"

"Yay! Celebration! Cakes!"

Chloe peeked from the kitchen and said, "You two, go sit at the dining table. Dinner is ready."

"Okay!" Mackie and Vernon replied at the same time. They sat at the dining table and waited for Chloe to put the food on it.

Chloe carefully put a pot of hot chicken soup with vegetables on the table and sat facing Vernon and Mackie, who started pouring the soup into their bowl.

She waited for them to take their portion and then took hers, as she didn't feel like eating much.

She ate in silence as she watched her family eating her food with relish.