Chapter 3 The Unraveling
558 Words
Simon's departure was hurried, his farewell a mere brush of lips on Chloe's forehead, devoid of warmth.
"Don't wait up. I might crash at the office," he called out, his voice flat and distant as he exited the room.
Chloe stared after him, her heart sinking as she glanced at his last message on her tablet, a message not meant for her. "On my way."
Her world tilted.
Simon hadn't made an effort to visit her parents in years.
She had wished for a peaceful separation, but it was clear she was about to navigate a tempest of her own. Resolute, she steadied herself and made her way to her parents' home alone.
Standing at the door, she hesitated, catching snippets of her parents' chatter inside.
"Let's make shrimp for them. Got fresh ones today. They were on sale," said Chloe's mother, Mary Stone.
Mark softly countered, "How many times have I told you about serving sale food?
"Last time Simon barely touched it.
"After all, he's super rich. Simple food isn't appealing to him. I splurged on a lobster. Go steam it."
Mary felt embarrassed. "That lobster cost a fortune, didn't it? Not something we usually indulge in."
Mark chuckled, "Over a thousand! But as long as Simon treats Chloe well, it's worth it."
Chloe's hand froze as she listened.
At the start of their marriage, Simon joined her for family visits, but his interest had waned, his tone dismissive.
"Feels like an ant farm, too cramped for comfort."
Yet, her parents never faltered, preparing meticulously for each anticipated visit.
After a moment, Chloe inhaled deeply, walked in with a façade of cheerfulness.
"Dad, Mom, I'm here."
Mark and Mary scanned behind her, not seeing Simon.
Chloe ad-libbed an excuse about Simon's urgent work commitments.
Mary nodded, comprehension written across her features. "He has got big family responsibilities. Supposed to be busy."
She turned to the kitchen, while Mark's gaze lingered on Chloe, concern evident.
"No troubles between you two, right?"
Chloe buried her sorrow, offering a smile of assurance.
Post-dinner, Mark retrieved a passbook and placed it in her hands.
"It's what we've saved recently. Take it."
Chloe was taken aback. They had already given her their savings at her wedding. How had they conjured up more?
Mark elaborated, "Living with the Grays must be pricey. You shouldn't always depend on Simon. We've taken part-time work atop our pensions. We've saved a bit. Keep it."
Tears filled Chloe's eyes.
Her parents always feared she'd struggle to find her place in the Gray family. Even in their senior years, their dedication to her well-being never wavered.
Chloe wiped her eyes, insisting she couldn't accept it.
Abruptly, Mary clutched her chest, pain etched on her face, her skin turning ghostly pale.
"It hurts…"
The sight sent Chloe into a panic. Together with her father, they rushed Mary to the hospital.
After a preliminary assessment and questions about Mary's medical history, the doctor ordered further tests, directing Chloe to handle the payments downstairs.
Downstairs, Chloe glimpsed Simon, alongside another woman, outside the emergency room.
Nearby, onlookers whispered.
"They played too rough, and the woman got something stuck. Can you imagine?"
"No way! Young people today, I tell ya."
"I caught a peek earlier. The doctor pulled out a ring. It looked like a wedding ring, the guy's, I think."
- Writer
