Men? No Kidding

Chapter 3

Chloe said nothing.

Seeing her daughter walk in with luggage, Elizabeth quickly stepped forward to take it. "Did you two have a fight? Weren't you just celebrating your anniversary yesterday?"

Hearing the commotion, her dad, Robert Bennett, turned his gaze toward them as well.

Chloe shook her head lightly. "No, nothing like that. I just missed you both and thought I'd come stay for a few days."

Recognizing that she didn't want to explain further, her parents chose not to press.

After settling her luggage in the bedroom, Chloe locked herself in her art studio. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't focus. The canvas remained blank as her mind swirled with chaotic thoughts, the image of that child's face popping up again and again.

By evening, a loud commotion echoed from downstairs.

Chloe hurried down, only to find her brother, Thomas Bennett, gripping Daniel by the collar and landing a heavy punch on him. Daniel's face was already swollen, showing he'd been taking hits for some time.

"Stop it, Thomas!"

Chloe called out just as Thomas raised his fist again.

Seeing her, Daniel staggered toward her, desperation written all over his bruised face. "Chloe, I made a mistake. Please forgive me, I beg you."

Chloe shoved his hands away, her voice calm but resolute. "I'll have my lawyer draft the divorce papers. You'll get them soon."

"Chloe, no! I'm not divorcing you!"

Robert stepped forward, his expression serious. "Now, let's not talk in anger. What's done is done—sit down and have a proper conversation."

Chloe kept her tone even. "Dad, I'm not angry. And I meant what I said."

"Sure, what Daniel did was wrong—no one's denying that," Robert said with a deep sigh. "But it's understandable under the circumstances."

Chloe's heart sank as her father's words hit her.

Daniel's voice trembled as he jumped in, "Dad, it's all on me! I had a lapse in judgment—I swear it won't happen again!"

"Chloe," Robert continued, "the fact that you can't have children is the reality here. We can't expect Daniel to live childless forever—it's not fair to him."

His tone softened as he added, "Now that there's a child, the best path forward is for Daniel to cut ties with that woman. The two of you can raise the baby together. It's better than taking in someone else's child, don't you think?"

Elizabeth stepped in, taking Chloe's arm. "Sweetheart, I know this isn't easy for you, but think about everything you two have been through. You don't just throw away a love like that. Having a child completes a family—it gives it roots. Nothing in life is perfect, Chloe. Sometimes turning a blind eye is the only way to find happiness."

The bitterness in Chloe's chest tightened. Turning a blind eye? That's happiness?

Thomas broke in, his voice sharp and uncompromising. "Enough of this! Daniel, can you swear to cut ties with that woman for good? Give us a clear answer right now!"

"Chloe, I swear it only happened once! I'll never bring the child home—I'll send them far away, make sure they're out of our lives forever. Just… please, give me another chance," Daniel pleaded, tears threatening to spill from his bloodshot eyes.

Chloe felt as though she were sleepwalking, trapped in a surreal nightmare where everyone she loved had become unrecognizable.

Was this her punishment for not being able to have children? Was this something she just had to accept?

Would enduring this bring her life back to what it once was?

She stared at Daniel's face, full of regret, and her mind replayed scenes of their time together. The thrill of first love, the burning passion of their connection, their shared dreams for the future—every memory pointed back to him.

Could she let go? No, she couldn't.

But could a shattered mirror ever truly be made whole again?

They returned to the Murphy family home together. Madison's expression soured the moment she spotted Chloe. "Daniel, the child is still in the hospital! Why are you out running around?"

Daniel turned to Chloe, his voice low and gentle. "The baby caught pneumonia, Chloe. Don't worry—once she's better, I'll send her away. I promise."

Chloe's face remained expressionless. "That won't be necessary. She's your child—bring her back once she's recovered."

Daniel's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope, but he quickly added, "Chloe, you don't have to do this if it's too much for you."

"I'm not forcing myself."

She left the words hanging as she ascended the stairs. But before she reached the top, Madison's smug voice floated up from below.

"I told you, didn't I? Once there's a child involved, she'll have no choice but to accept it. She can't have one herself, so what else is she going to do?"