Chapter 420 I Still Want to Be Your Husband (Part 2)
There was this awkward silence for like, ten whole seconds.
Andrew finally blurted out, "I ain't signing anything! Chloe, as long as I don't sign, we're still hitched."
Chloe suddenly felt super drained.
She remembered how he knocked her socks off when they first met and how head over heels she was for him. Never in a million years did she think his love would turn into such a drag.
Yeah, a total drag!
Chloe slumped back in her seat.
She asked softly, "Andrew, who got us here? Was it me?"
"It was me," he mumbled.
Chloe covered her mouth. She went pale, shaking like a leaf.
After what felt like forever, she finally calmed down and said, "You're Gavin's dad, so of course you can see him! Since he's with you, take him to preschool tomorrow morning!"
Then she hung up.
She leaned on the steering wheel and just bawled her eyes out.
Right then, she hated his guts.
On the other end, Andrew slowly put down the phone.
Gavin looked up at him, all hopeful, but his little face fell. Mom wasn't coming.
Andrew felt a pang of disappointment, but seeing Gavin's sad face, he couldn't let the kid down.
He picked up Gavin and said cheerfully, "Mom's got work! You'll hang with me tonight!"
On the table, there was still a cake. Today was Andrew's birthday.
He thought, Chloe probably didn't remember, or didn't give a damn.
Gavin sat there, looking around, his little face scrunched up. "Your birthday celebration is too lonely."
He didn't really wanna stay there.
For one, he was kinda scared of Andrew, and for another, they hadn't spent much time together, so they weren't that close.
Andrew felt a twinge of sadness. He ruffled Gavin's hair. "You're here with me."
Gavin reluctantly said, "Happy birthday." Then, he went quiet.
Andrew cut a piece of cake for him, but he wasn't really into it. After a bit, he said, "All the other kids get picked up and dropped off by both their parents! Dad, is Mom gonna divorce you?"
Andrew cut himself a piece of cake.
He usually didn't eat this stuff, but today he wanted some.
Hearing Gavin's words, he zoned out a bit.
Even a kid knew Mom and Dad were splitting up.
Andrew's voice was a bit rough. "No! Mom and I won't get divorced!"
Gavin wasn't too happy 'cause he didn't buy it. Mom had already moved out with him.
He lowered his head and nibbled on the cake, feeling bummed out.
Andrew's heart softened, and he patted his head. Actually, Gavin's temper was a lot like Chloe's.
With so few people, this birthday felt especially lonely.
Gavin was worried and didn't say much.
After getting Gavin settled with his homework, Andrew went into his study. Even though he had a ton of business stuff to deal with, he couldn't focus on a single word on his laptop.
He was super anxious.
He could feel Chloe's determination to leave him. She didn't argue or make a scene, just handled their relationship with this cold detachment.
He refused to divorce, and she didn't push him.
He knew she just didn't want to see him or spend time with him.
Andrew closed his eyes, feeling the pain. He missed her so much.
He had thought about it, whether he regretted ditching the wedding that day.
Actually, he didn't regret it. Because he had no choice.
Chloe was right; back then, he chose duty and morality, leaving her and Gavin behind.
Late at night, Andrew hit up Chloe after Gavin crashed.
He called a bunch of times before she finally picked up, her voice kinda raspy.
Andrew whispered, "Our kid's out cold! What're you up to?"
His tone had this cozy, husbandly vibe that Chloe could totally pick up on.
She didn't bother responding to him. She just gave him the lowdown on taking Gavin to school the next morning.
Even though she sounded distant, Andrew was all ears. Just hearing her voice was a treat for him now.
Two minutes later, Chloe wrapped it up. She said softly, "That's it!"
She was about to hang up when Andrew stopped her, saying, "Today's my birthday."
She was pretty surprised but still wished him well. "Happy birthday."
Andrew pushed his luck. "Chloe, in what capacity are you saying this? As my wife or Gavin's mom?"
"Ex-wife, I guess." Chloe leaned against the headboard and said slowly, "Andrew, we've got too many ties! Not just Gavin but also Charlotte, so I don't wanna fall out with you. It's best if we can keep things civil! Also, when are you gonna sign the papers?"
"In a hurry to find a boyfriend?"
"Yep!"
On the other end, Andrew's breathing got a bit heavy.
Chloe figured he'd blow up, but he didn't. He just hung up.
She stared at her phone, dazed for a long time.
In the days that followed, he picked up Gavin early every day.
Gavin wasn't thrilled about it. But he didn't put up a fight either. Every time he got in the car pretty willingly.
Sometimes Andrew thought Gavin was simple, and other times he felt the kid had too much on his mind.
With Gavin at his place, he could call Chloe.
She usually wouldn't ignore his calls.
He could chat about the kid, and even small talk was enough to make him happy.
He believed that over time, she'd eventually soften.
Gavin seemed to get used to living with him.
During dinner, Andrew casually asked, and Gavin kept his head down, munching in silence.
After a bit, he looked up and said, "If I stay with Dad, Mom will have more time to dress up and go on dates."
Andrew's face went stiff.
That usually suave, handsome face looked pretty sour.
After saying that, Gavin seemed a bit scared.
He buried his head in his food, and after a while, he slowly said, "Mom will eventually get married again."
Andrew lost his appetite completely.
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, lit a cigarette, and stood there smoking quietly.
Gavin looked up at him.
He just felt that at that moment, Dad looked super lonely.
Andrew seemed to know he was being watched and said gently, "Gavin, do you blame me?"
Gavin responded with a nasal sound.
Andrew looked down at the burning cigarette and said softly, "I have only ever loved your mom! And always will! I won't separate from your Mom."
Gavin's nose stung with emotion.
Early in the morning, Andrew got ready to take Gavin to school.
But a call came from the villa. It was from a servant, very urgent.
Last night, Molly had a fever.
The doctor said she might never be able to speak again.
Andrew held the phone, cold sweat breaking out on his back.
After hanging up, he had the driver take Gavin to preschool and drove himself to the hospital.
An hour later, Chloe called, "Andrew, Gavin is missing!"
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