Chapter 243 Chloe Actually Had a Child!
Next to the coffee shop, there was a cider shop.
A long line snaked out the door, and there was Chloe, smack in the middle, holding onto a little boy who looked about two.
After a bit, the kid started getting fussy. Chloe scooped him up.
Charlotte watched from a distance. Her eyes got all misty, and her heart felt like it was being squeezed.
Chloe had always been the spoiled one. Charlotte figured Chloe probably never had to wait in line for anything before, let alone cider. But here she was, standing in the blazing sun, holding a toddler.
Gone were the fancy clothes. She was in a plain white shirt and some worn-out jeans.
She looked way skinnier than before, and you could barely tell she used to be pampered.
Charlotte closed her eyes for a moment.
Lily followed her gaze and spotted Chloe too. She was shocked and blurted out, "Isn't that Chloe? How come she has a kid?"
Knowing Lily, she'd probably drag Chloe back home right away.
Charlotte grabbed her hand and said, "Don't!"
She'd been through it and got what Chloe was feeling.
Chloe didn't want to go home because she wanted to protect her child. She was scared her parents would be heartbroken and disappointed, and that they'd force her to get rid of the kid.
Charlotte lowered her voice and said, "Lily, don't make a scene."
Just then, Lola started fussing for her mom, and the driver brought her over.
Lola bounced over and saw Charlotte crying. She snuggled into Charlotte's arms, using her little hands to wipe away the tears, and comforted her, "Mommy, don't cry."
Lily looked on enviously and said, "Daughters are always more considerate."
Charlotte said softly, "You sit here for a bit. I'm gonna check on Chloe. And don't tell Bradley about this yet. I'm afraid Chloe will freak out and bolt."
Lily got it and nodded. "Talk to her nicely."
Charlotte took Lola outside.
Just then, Chloe had bought the cider and was about to leave with the kid when Charlotte softly called out from behind, "Chloe!"
Chloe stiffened. She slowly turned around and saw Charlotte, with Lola by her side.
Chloe's lips trembled.
It had been two years since she last saw Charlotte and Lola, but seeing them brought back memories of that person.
After a long pause, she softly said, "Charlotte."
Her voice was always filled with sadness. She wanted to bury herself in Charlotte's arms and cry her heart out, but she couldn't anymore. She wasn't the same Chloe she used to be.
Charlotte felt a rush of emotions. She slowly stepped forward, reached out to touch the little boy's head, and said to Lola, "This is Aunt Chloe."
Lola lit up. She softly called out, "Auntie Chloe!"
Chloe's throat tightened. She looked at Lola, and for a moment, it felt like she was back three years ago, back to that wild night.
"She's grown so much!" She kissed Lola and then said to Charlotte, "This is my kid, Gavin."
Charlotte handed Lola to her and took Gavin into her own arms.
His little face was fair and tender, with short, deep golden hair.
She didn't need to ask whose kid this was.
Lola said, "His hair's the same color as mine, deep golden!"
The vibe was kinda tense!
Lola looked up with her little face and softly said, "Mommy, you can hold him. I won't be mad. I really won't be mad."
Charlotte smiled gently and said to Lola, "You go with Aunt Chloe."
Chloe felt a bit uneasy.
But Charlotte wasn't gonna let her go, and she said softly, "Let's go to your place."
They walked for about 15 minutes and entered a small alley.
The rented house was tiny, like 400 square feet. The place was a bit messy, with magazines and clothes for both adults and kids scattered around. There wasn't a single decent item in sight.
Charlotte felt a pang of sorrow.
Chloe poured her a glass of water and split the cider between the two little ones. She wasn't well-off and had only bought one cup for Gavin after standing in line for so long.
Holding Gavin, Charlotte softly said, "Frederick said you haven't been home for two years. Is it because of the kid?"
Chloe nodded. She whispered, "I found out I was pregnant after we broke up. He doesn't know, and he can't marry me."
Charlotte didn't defend anyone. She only felt heartache for Chloe and the kid.
Charlotte calmed herself and said, "Come home with me."
Chloe hung her head, and after a while, she softly said, "Charlotte, I can't go back! What'll happen if I do? My parents and Frederick aren't the type to simply let go of the past; they'll seek justice for me."
Charlotte looked at her and said, "Shouldn't they?"
Chloe was stunned.
Charlotte gently touched Gavin's hair and said tenderly, "You can't keep living here!"
Chloe still refused. She took Lola in her arms and kissed her. "You've grown so much. This is the first time I've seen you, and I don't have any gifts for you."
She took off her necklace. It was the only thing she had brought from the Hawkins family.
She wanted to give it to Lola.
Charlotte turned her face away, unable to hold back her tears.
Chloe cried too!
Gavin, being so young, got scared by the adults' tears and started crying. Lola patted his head and softly said, "Don't cry, Gavin."
Gavin looked at her. Lola gave him a kiss.
Charlotte ultimately couldn't persuade Chloe.
She promised Chloe not to tell Frederick, which finally put Chloe at ease. Before leaving, Charlotte gave Chloe over ten thousand dollars from her bag, saying she would come back tomorrow.
Chloe accepted it.
At that moment, both she and Charlotte felt a bit dazed. No one could have imagined that one day, the pampered Chloe would feel relieved over ten thousand dollars!
Charlotte couldn't take it. She felt extremely oppressed and cried heavily under a tree as she walked out of the old building.
Lola leaned against her, hugging her leg.
Charlotte squatted down, holding her, and continued to cry.
Lola patted her head. "Daddy will be heartbroken when he knows."
Charlotte slowly calmed down.
She certainly couldn't let Chloe and the kid live in such a place, but she also couldn't tell Patrick. 'How disappointed and heartbroken will he be?'
She felt that it would be better for Frederick to handle this matter.
Charlotte patted Lola and softly said, "When Daddy comes home tonight, you tell him I cried, and you saw Auntie Chloe, okay?"
Lola raised her little head, thinking hard.
After a while, she asked, "Why don't you just tell Daddy directly?"
Her relationship with Frederick hadn't mended yet, and she was too embarrassed to cry to him.
Lola shook her head, 'The adult world is so complicated!'
At 8 PM, Frederick came back from working late, and Charlotte was teaching Lola piano.
She wore a long dress, her waist slender, revealing a section of her calf that looked fair and bright under the dim light.
Lola played quite well.
Frederick sat next to Charlotte, ready to tease her a bit.
Suddenly, his gaze froze.
Charlotte stopped and gently asked, "Have you eaten?"
Frederick smiled. "You're so gentle tonight. I'm a bit not used to it. I want a bowl of noodles."
Charlotte went to the kitchen.
Frederick took off his coat and casually threw it aside, picking up Lola and asking, "What's wrong with Mommy?"
Lola remembered her task.
She sat on her dad's knee, frowning her fair little face. "Mommy cried today!"
Frederick frowned.
Lola said, "Mommy met Auntie Chloe, and there was a cute little brother."
Chloe?
A little brother?
Frederick felt like he could punch a wall, but he kept it cool, patted Lola's little head, and smiled slightly. "Whenever Mommy cries, you gotta tell Daddy."
Charlotte brought in the noodles. She was extra sweet today, even setting the table for him.
Frederick's gaze was intense. He didn't ask her in front of Lola, just quietly finished the bowl of noodles.
After Lola fell asleep, he walked into the kids' room, sat by the bed, held Charlotte's hand, and gently asked, "Lola said you cried today! You're a grown-up and a Mom now. Why are you crying? Did I neglect you?"
Charlotte sat up. "Just ask what you want to. Don't say all this!"
Frederick smirked. "Didn't you pass the message to me through Lola? I have to show some concern for you first!"
Charlotte looked back.
Lola was sleeping soundly.
She carefully lifted the blanket and whispered, "Let's talk outside!"
Frederick stopped her. His voice was hoarse. "Don't get up; just say it here! Lola won't wake up."
Charlotte hesitated for a long time. "I saw Chloe!"
Frederick pretended not to understand, lightly humming. "That's good news! Where is she?"
Charlotte watched his expression.
She was really scared to tell him. After all, Chloe suddenly having a kid would be hard for anyone to accept!
Charlotte wanted to ease him into it, so she placed her hand on his shoulder and gently stroked him, saying, "Don't be mad. She has a child with her."
Frederick looked at her hand.
How could he not know her little tricks? If it were any other time, he would be very willing to carry her to the master bedroom. He believed she wouldn't refuse him tonight.
But tonight, he wasn't in the mood.
Frederick's eyes were filled with anger, but his tone was calm. "That's good news! One ran away, and two came back!"
Charlotte understood him somewhat.
Seeing him about to leave, she held him back and softly said, "Let's go together tomorrow!"
Frederick was fuming.
She was so soft and gentle, seemingly willing to sacrifice herself for Chloe. This made him both angry and amused.
He suddenly pulled her under him and kissed her.
His kiss was rough, making Charlotte a bit uncomfortable, but she still tried to please him.
Frederick kissed down to her neck and stopped. He leaned against her neck, breathing lightly. "Go to sleep early. We'll go together tomorrow!"
Charlotte felt relieved seeing him agree.
She gently closed her eyes, her obedient look making him feel moved again, and he couldn't help but kiss her deeply for a long time.
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