Chapter 413 I Can Only Wait for You in Syeattel
Andrew had one hell of a day.
He hadn't slept for two nights straight and was running on fumes, but he still hauled himself to the hospital.
In the car, Celeste kept blowing up his phone. He picked up and told her to hit up the doc.
After hanging up, he felt all kinds of uneasy. He knew he'd botched things with Luke's daughter, and Chloe was definitely hurt. He just couldn't get her to see his side.
Chloe was right; why should she get it? Why should she wait around for him?
Andrew's mind drifted to Gavin, and guilt hit him hard. He told the driver to pull over and hopped out to grab Gavin a toy that was all the rage.
He finally made it to the hospital.
Gavin was awake.
Doc said Gavin could eat now, and the kid was clinging to Adeline, munching on some porridge she whipped up.
Chloe was on the sofa, buried in her laptop.
Andrew took a deep breath and walked in with a small smile. "Gavin, how you feeling?"
Gavin looked up, grinning from ear to ear.
Kids always forgave so fast.
Andrew set the toy on the bedside table, and Gavin was all over it. Andrew ruffled his hair and asked softly, "Still hurt?"
"Just a bit," Gavin's voice was tiny.
Andrew's heart ached for his boy. He hung out with Gavin for a bit, then glanced at Chloe.
She was still working, acting like he wasn't even there, which threw Andrew off. But with people in and out, it wasn't the time for deep convos.
By 10 PM, things finally calmed down.
Gavin was out cold.
Chloe didn't leave; she took a shower and stayed by his side.
Andrew asked softly, "You really not gonna talk to me?"
Chloe paused. She let go of Gavin's hand, walked to the window, and said quietly, "In three days, when Gavin's better, I'm taking him back to Syeattel."
Andrew felt a knot in his chest. He walked over slowly and put his hands on her shoulders. "What do you mean?"
Chloe gave a faint smile. "Andrew, maybe I was too naive! Now I see that Gavin and I are just extras in your life, not as important as your career."
Andrew's voice was rough. "You're not!"
He loved her and Gavin so much. Gavin was the kid Chloe gave him.
Chloe still had that faint smile. The night was cool, and the window fogged up.
She traced the glass with her fingers. After a long pause, she finally said, "Maybe I should just wait for you in Syeattel!"
Andrew turned her around. He looked into her eyes. "I'll fight for the Jackson family and get that kid back!"
Chloe laughed. "Get that kid back? Is that really your call? That kid's Celeste's, and her dad isn't you! Andrew, your so-called righteous actions freak me out. They make me feel so insecure."
A relationship that made her feel insecure was better off without.
Andrew pulled her into his arms.
Chloe struggled but couldn't break free.
She buried her face in his shoulder and cried helplessly!
Andrew felt awful. With a hoarse voice, he said, "Trust me, Chloe. There's nothing between me and her! All these years, my heart has only been in you!"
Chloe was in a daze.
Her eyes were puffy, and she gently shook her head.
Finally, she pushed him away and looked down. "Let's take a break."
Andrew just watched her.
He felt like she'd really grown up, become her own woman.
But he couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not.
Three days flew by. During that time, Andrew still got calls from Celeste, but he didn't go see her. He only chatted with Molly now and then, keeping it light.
Even though she wasn't his kid, she was Celeste's.
Chloe wasn't cool with it.
That day, Andrew handed over all his work. From now on, he was just a regular guy.
After the handover, he stood in his office.
He felt a pang of reluctance.
Nathan quit with him. He was used to sticking by Andrew and wanted to start fresh. He got Andrew better than anyone and said softly, "With your skills, you can still crush it in the business world."
Andrew pulled out a cigarette.
He lit it, took a few drags, then snuffed it out. "Let's roll!"
Just as they were about to leave, Celeste showed up. She looked around the empty office and blurted, "Andrew, are you nuts? This is your life's work. You're just throwing it away for her."
Andrew's tone was steady. "She's my wife!"
With that, he walked out, not wanting to get into it.
Celeste was stunned for a sec, then quickly followed, lowering her voice. "Molly misses you! You should at least go see her!"
Andrew stopped.
He suddenly asked, "Celeste, what were you thinking when you had Molly? Do you love Luke?"
Celeste couldn't answer.
Her lips quivered. "I've only ever loved one man in my life!"
Andrew didn't want to hear more. He walked into the elevator and went downstairs.
He drove himself and quickly got to the hospital.
In the ward, the nurse was tidying up, and the bed was empty.
Andrew immediately asked.
The nurse told him, "This afternoon, a Mr. Hawkins helped your wife with the discharge procedures. They should be heading to the airport now!"
Andrew guessed it was Frederick.
He immediately went downstairs and called Chloe while sitting in the car.
Chloe answered. After a few seconds of silence, he gently asked, "Why didn't you wait for me to pick you up? Are you at the airport now? I'll be right there."
"No need!"
Chloe said, "The private jet is about to take off!"
Andrew rubbed his eyes, feeling a bit worn out. "Chloe, come on! If you're upset, we can talk it out. Don't act like a kid, okay?"
There was a light breath on the other end.
After a moment, Chloe spoke with a strained voice, "Mr. Devereux, you might be used to big storms and not feel anything! But after going through life and death a few years ago, I'm scared of dying! And all of that was because of Celeste. Now you want to take care of her kid, and you expect me to be all mature and understanding?!"
As she spoke, her voice cracked.
Andrew apologized.
Chloe said calmly, "Think about it carefully."
With that, she hung up.
Andrew slowly put down his phone. He sat in the car, lit a cigarette, and smoked slowly. After finishing the cigarette, he still drove to the airport.
Chloe had, of course, already flown away.
Andrew bought a ticket and walked into the waiting room.
He picked a seat and quietly watched the planes take off and land.
Frederick took Chloe and Gavin to his place.
In the living room, Johnny was playing with Kingsley.
Lola was at the piano, her small frame sitting up straight, looking all proper.
Frederick held Gavin in one arm and carried the luggage in the other.
Chloe felt a bit like she was crashing the party.
Frederick carefully set Gavin down, noticing Chloe's tear-streaked face. "Aren't you supposed to be working? Who's gonna look after Gavin? Or do you want Dad to nag you every day? Mom and Dad don't know about your issues with Andrew. If they find out, who knows what'll happen!"
Chloe had always been a bit scared of him and just kept quiet.
Charlotte was pregnant, but she still made some nourishing soup for sick Gavin.
Frederick, worried he might lose his cool and say something harsh, decided to head to the kitchen to be with Charlotte.
He walked over quietly and hugged her from behind.
Charlotte paused. She turned her face slightly and asked softly, "You're back."
Frederick hummed in response.
Charlotte already knew about the situation from Adeline. Andrew and Chloe were having issues, and she was caught in the middle, but fortunately, Frederick treated her the same as always.
Frederick gently nibbled on her delicate neck.
He said with a hint of frustration, "Andrew's so old; why's he still causing trouble?"
Charlotte bit her lip. "What do you mean? Besides, do you really want to compete with him in being a jerk?"
Frederick chuckled. "I wouldn't dare! Didn't I say last time that I should thank you for not holding a grudge?"
Charlotte served the soup.
She said softly, "Comfort her well these next few days."
Frederick's gaze deepened.
He looked at his wife, feeling that she was calm and composed. Time might have aged her, but it also brought her mature and elegant charm.
He felt a spark.
Charlotte knew what he was thinking and gently stroked the back of his hand.
Frederick smiled tenderly.
Originally, Charlotte wanted to stay with Chloe.
But Chloe said she was fine and took care of Gavin herself. In the middle of the night, the sound of a car echoed through the villa.
She guessed who it was.
She walked to the window to look.
A black sports car slowly drove into the villa. After it stopped, a tall figure emerged.
Chloe watched quietly. At some point, tears filled her eyes.
She saw him standing by the car, not coming up immediately. Instead, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a few deep drags, as if trying to perk up.
Chloe felt sad. She thought, how great it would be if that child didn't exist!
A hand rested on her shoulder.
She turned to see Frederick.
Frederick, dressed in black pajamas, gently patted Chloe's shoulder. "He's here. Go see him! I'll take Gavin to our room."
Chloe wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Frederick walked to the bed.
He gently picked up Gavin. After a few steps, the child woke up, hugging Frederick's neck and softly asking, "Uncle?"
Frederick kissed him. "Wanna sleep with me?"
Gavin didn't move.
He had always wanted to hug the baby sister in Charlotte's belly.
Frederick carried Gavin back to the bedroom.
The master bedroom was warmly lit, and Charlotte was awake. She had even made some milk.
Gavin lay down, holding the milk, and drank contentedly.
After a while, he secretly touched Charlotte's belly.
Charlotte lay on her side and gently told him, "Your sister's name is Sienna, a name your uncle chose."
Gavin liked the name very much.
He thought it sounded much better than Molly.
Gavin fell asleep quickly after drinking the warm milk. Once his breathing was steady, Charlotte softly said, "They're having a fight. Are you really okay with letting them share a room? Aren't you afraid Andrew will bully Chloe?"
Frederick chuckled. He held her hand and gently traced it, somewhat teasingly. "They already have a son! What haven't they done?"
Charlotte blushed. She was trying to talk about serious matters, but he always diverted to other topics. Fortunately, the dim light hid her blush from Frederick.
Frederick, however, was in the mood.
But with Gavin in the room, there was nothing he could do, so talking was good enough.
His hand moved to her belly, and he whispered, "Charlotte, it's been a long time since last intimacy!"
Charlotte didn't say anything. She didn't understand why he was so interested in a pregnant woman!
At six months pregnant, no matter how good she looked, her figure had changed.
Frederick didn't explain.
He was a man, and a man's thoughts and feelings were something Charlotte couldn't understand.
Meanwhile, Andrew went upstairs.
He didn't go straight to the bedroom but gently knocked on the door.
Chloe, afraid of making noise, went to open the door for him.
Andrew stood outside, looking travel-worn.
He was still wearing the blue shirt and trousers from today, with a black coat over them.
He didn't come in immediately but stood at the door, quietly looking at her.
Chloe turned her head. "Come in!"
He reached out and gently touched her face, softly saying, "You've lost a lot of weight these past few days!"
She stepped aside.
Andrew came in and looked around. "Where's Gavin?"
"Frederick took him," Chloe said softly. Guessing he hadn't eaten or washed up, she brought him a pair of slippers and went downstairs to make him some instant noodles, adding two sausages.
"Make do with this! Frederick is probably mad at you and won't make you anything."
Her voice was soft in the night.
Andrew took off his coat and sat at the table.
He rarely ate instant noodles, but Chloe occasionally did.
She couldn't cook, so she probably ate a lot of them over the years.
Before eating, Andrew asked softly, "You're angry too. Why are you still willing to make me something to eat?"
He thought she wouldn't answer, but she smiled faintly.
"You're Gavin's father, after all!"
Andrew frowned. He wasn't satisfied with that answer. After taking a bite, he couldn't help but ask, "Am I just Gavin's father now?"
Chloe didn't respond.
After their argument, they had grown distant. Just a few months ago, they had been so close.
Andrew was indeed hungry. Even though the instant noodles weren't great, he finished them all.
Afterward, he took out a cigarette. He wanted to smoke but, considering her, didn't light it.
Andrew looked at her and softly said, "Come here, will you? Let me hold you!"
Chloe didn't move, so he went to her.
He held her, first kissing her hair, then her eyes and lips.
When he deepened the kiss, Chloe resisted, her eyes red, saying she didn't want to.
Andrew knew she was uncomfortable.
He pressed his lips to hers and whispered, "I just want to kiss you! Chloe, it's not just you who's hurting; I'm not doing well either!"
She turned her face away in discomfort.
Even now, he hadn't given her a clear answer. She knew his choice.
He still wanted to take care of that child.
Chloe didn't even have the energy to argue with him.
After a moment of calm, she softly said, "I've gotten used to not having you around all these years! Gavin has also been apart from you more than he's been with you. Andrew, we actually don't need to be together."
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