Chapter 437 Chloe, I'm Back!
He was back!
Countless times, she woke up in a panic, dreaming that he was gone.
For the past six months, she heard his condition was improving. She thought he might want to contact her, but there wasn't a single call.
Now he suddenly appeared.
Just like that evening many years ago, the villa was suddenly filled with many Audi cars. She was heartbroken over Ethan at the time, and when she heard the noise and went downstairs, she saw Andrew.
Chloe's eyes were wet.
She stared at him, unable to move an inch, as everything around her seemed to freeze.
Her mind was blank, the only thing she knew was: he's back!
Andrew gazed at her deeply, almost greedily.
She was as beautiful as before, just more mature.
Finally, Chloe came to her senses. Her lips trembled, and an unusual flush appeared on her face. She squatted down to hide it, starting to pick up the bread that had fallen on the ground.
"It's dirty, we'll buy more next time." Andrew bent down to help her pick it up.
Their hands touched.
It was just a light touch, but she had a big reaction and suddenly stood up.
She didn't even want the bread anymore and stumbled away.
Andrew stood up, watching her back.
Charlotte slowly walked over.
She was holding Gavin's hand. Gavin's face was tense, but his eyes were fixed on Andrew. As if afraid he would disappear.
"Uncle Andrew!" Charlotte's voice was tight.
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection, her voice almost breaking into tears.
In the past two years, she had gone to Vienner more than 20 times.
Having seen Andrew at his lowest moments, she knew how hard it was for him to be standing here today.
Fortunately, it was all in the past, and things would be better from now on.
Andrew gently patted her, then bent down to look at Gavin, his voice quite gentle. "Take me to see your sister, okay?"
Gavin still had a tense face.
Andrew felt a slight pain in his heart and gently touched the little guy's head. "Silly boy."
Gavin pursed his little lips and said, "Sister is in mom's room."
He walked ahead, a bit fast, looking a little angry.
Andrew felt somewhat melancholic.
Charlotte softly said, "He'll be fine after a while."
Andrew handed the bread to her and followed Gavin, who was leading the way. Gavin was still a bit bitter, so he led him to the second floor and then ran off to find Johnny.
Andrew knocked on the door and then went in.
He had been here many times, but perhaps because there was now a baby, the air had a sweet, pleasant scent.
Chloe was on the balcony.
She had her back to him, against the light, making it hard to see clearly.
Andrew gently closed the bedroom door.
He slowly walked in, approaching a small pink wooden crib where a baby was sleeping.
She was just over a year old.
The spring sunlight was perfect, and the baby was sleeping soundly. White and tender, with golden curls.
She looked quite like Lola, but while Lola's features were delicate, Natalie was more striking.
Andrew was utterly delighted.
Just then, Natalie woke up. Her bright eyes stared at him with curiosity.
Andrew leaned over and picked her up. Natalie not only didn't shy away but actively leaned in, pressing her soft cheek against Andrew's face, calling him daddy.
Andrew felt a warmth in the corners of his eyes. He held the little one carefully, kissing her gently. "How did you know I was daddy?"
Of course, Natalie didn't answer.
She giggled happily, her small hands hugging Andrew.
Andrew held her silently for a while, inhaling her pleasant baby scent, then straightened her little dress and walked to the balcony.
Chloe was still standing there.
She was wearing a floral long dress with a loose long blazer over it.
The breeze blew gently.
Even her back was very beautiful.
Andrew walked closer with the child. She seemed to sense it and said softly, "I thought you wouldn't come back."
Andrew didn't speak.
Chloe slightly raised her head. She turned around and quietly gazed at him, her nose slightly red and her eyes too, clearly having cried.
Andrew told her not to cry.
Chloe suppressed her voice. "We're over! But you should at least consider Gavin, yet you just left like that."
"I know." Andrew's voice was choked with emotion.
No amount of apologies would suffice. He chose not to say anything.
He placed the child in Chloe's arms, then gently touched Natalie's cheek with his fair, slender fingers, and handed over a pair of exquisite bracelets he had bought in Vienner.
He smiled lightly: "I came straight here from the airport and haven't had a chance to see Adeline yet. Over the last two years, Adeline's often been down in the dumps. I heard you often took the kids to see her, and that really cheered her up. Chloe, thank you."
He spoke emotionally yet politely, leaving Chole unsure of his intentions.
Andrew played with the child for a while longer. He had been ill, but he was more composed than before.
Finally, as he was about to leave, Frederick came in, saw them talking, and took Natalie in his arms.
He kissed her and then said, "What are you doing standing here! Come downstairs for dinner! Mom and Dad are especially happy today. They had the kitchen prepare several of Andrew's favorite dishes, saying it's to welcome Andrew."
Andrew smiled faintly without showing much emotion. "No, Adeline is in Syeattel, I haven't seen her yet. Another day!"
Frederick's eyes were sharp: "That's really a pity! A guy named Maurice Hughes will visit us later. If you stay, you could be on hand to give Chloe some input on whether this guy's the one. He's quite nice."
Chloe was slightly stunned.
She had met him once but hadn't made up her mind.
Andrew smiled slightly. "That is a pity!"
He looked at Chloe and said softly, "I'll come back another day to see the kids."
Andrew went downstairs.
The Hawkins villa had two more black sedans, and as the car doors opened, a young man in his early thirties stepped out.
He looked good and had a gentle demeanor.
He recognized Andrew and politely stopped. "Mr. Devereux."
Andrew also stopped, his eyes scanning him for a moment, then smiled slightly.
At this moment, Patrick came over.
After a few pleasantries, he patted Maurice and invited him to sit down for dinner.
The seat was arranged next to Chloe.
Andrew turned around and saw Chloe sitting with Maurice.
Her face was beautiful, with a hint of red at the corners of her eyes.
The atmosphere was quite subtle.
Charlotte came over, gently took Andrew's arm, and whispered, "I'll walk Andrew out."
Andrew didn't refuse.
The two of them slowly walked towards the parking lot.
Charlotte's voice was soft. "Chloe hasn't had it easy these past two years. She has met a few people, but none were suitable."
They reached the car.
She frowned slightly. "Chloe has her struggles."
Andrew's eyes were gentle.
He helped Charlotte tuck her loose hair behind her ear and gently patted her shoulder. "I know; it's my fault."
Andrew thought, 'Imagine a daughter with a failed marriage. With two kids to look after and always relying on her parents for support, how could she possibly turn down a good match introduced by them?'
Charlotte felt much relieved.
She opened the car door for Andrew. "Please give my regards to Adeline. I'll visit her in a couple of days.
Andrew nodded. As he was getting into the car, he saw Gavin.
Gavin was hiding behind the fountain in the garden, probably having followed him all the way.
Andrew's heart softened.
He got out of the car, opened the trunk, and took out a large box.
Inside, it was full of paper airplanes.
Gavin slowly moved over, staring at the paper airplanes without saying a word.
Andrew gently touched his head and said softly, "I missed you too. Whenever I missed you, I would fold a paper airplane, hoping it'll fly me to see you in my dreams."
Gavin still didn't speak.
He silently dragged the box away.
Andrew remained squatting there, his refined and handsome face twitching slightly.
Charlotte said softly, "For these past two years, he hasn't talked much. He always sits on the balcony, waiting for you to come back."
Andrew slightly raised his head. "Charlotte, stop."
He stood up, opened the car door, and got in.
Several black Audis slowly drove away, and Charlotte stood there for a long time.
Frederick came over.
Seeing Charlotte's slightly red eyes, his tone became much gentler: "Is something in your eye? Ms. Russell, you aren't usually so sentimental."
Charlotte took his arm. The two of them slowly walked towards the house, and Charlotte spoke softly: "On a day like today, why did you invite the Hughes family? I saw that not only was Andrew uncomfortable, but Chloe was also uneasy."
Frederick smiled faintly.
He asked her back, "Feeling sorry?"
Charlotte softly hummed, "Yes."
Frederick stopped. He lit a cigarette, positioning Charlotte upwind.
He slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled: "You can't blame me for this! Dad arranged it, and besides, wasn't it agreed that they would be treated as relatives? Didn't you see how inscrutable Andrew was this time? He can handle this."
Charlotte thought it over and said, "Then we won't take sides!"
Frederick glanced at her.
Charlotte looked serious, truly adorable.
He put out the cigarette, his warm hand touching her waist, and said softly: "I side with you! How is your waist still so slim? How about we have another child to make the house even livelier?"
Charlotte slapped his hand away. "Watch your language! And remember where you are."
Frederick chuckled. "We're married; the servants won't gossip."
Charlotte wasn't as thick-skinned as he was.
The two of them bickered, one after the other, into the hall.
Andrew returned to his villa.
After being away for two years, it was his first time back, and the house was bustling.
Amanda was cooking herself.
Adeline had also made a few dishes.
When the car stopped, Nathan immediately ran over to open the door, saying a few auspicious words.
Adeline also came out.
Andrew stepped forward and softly called, "Adeline."
Adeline gently touched Andrew's face He's much better than before.
Andrew half-squatted to let her touch.
Adeline held back and finally said, "It's good to have you back!"
Adeline leaned in and asked him, "Where's Chloe, and my dear Gavin and Natalie? Didn't you go to the Hawkins Mansion, why didn't you bring them back?"
Andrew supported Adeline as they went back. He smiled and said, "Gavin is still mad at me! I'll bring him over in a while."
Adeline felt a bit relieved.
She glared at him and scolded, "I think they just don't want to see you. Chloe visits me often."
Andrew just smiled.
Adeline couldn't understand his intentions.
At this moment, a timid little girl came over; it was Molly.
Unfortunately, she still wouldn't speak.
She had made a small, ugly cake for Andrew and ran away shyly after giving it to him.
Amanda laughed and said, "She really misses you."
Andrew just smiled faintly.
The atmosphere at the meal was lively, and after dinner, he took two pills and then sat in his bedroom in a daze.
Even though he appeared composed, he was still bothered by the man sitting next to her.
He and Chloe had no chance of developing feelings two years ago. He left decisively; she really had no reason to wait for him.
But he survived, and now he was unwilling to let go.
He wanted to smoke, but can't. In the end, he took out a candy from his pocket, the kind Chloe loved.
Andrew unwrapped it and put it in his mouth. It tasted just like Chloe—so sweet.
Andrew took over the company. In the past two years, under Frederick's management, the company had grown steadily. But Frederick's energy was limited, so Andrew spent three months reorganizing it.
During these three months, he visited Natalie and Gavin every week.
Natalie liked him very much. She always wanted him to hold her.
Gavin had a barrier with him, rarely calling him dad, and was reluctant to talk to him.
Andrew knew he couldn't rush it.
One day, he was at Hawkins Mansion with the two kids, and Frederick happened to come back.
He took off his coat and comfortably sat on the sofa, watching Andrew. Frederick silently thought, 'He really can keep his cool!'
Andrew was with his little daughter, teaching her to walk. The little girl was unsteady.
With a thud, she fell.
Her delicate little face wrinkled, softly whining for Andrew to hold her.
Andrew picked her up, kissed her, and coaxed her, "Let's try again!"
Natalie leaned in, wanting another kiss before she would walk.
Andrew laughed. "So spoiled! Just like your mom."
Andrew put the little one down, moved three feet away, and opened his arms. Natalie wobbled towards him, falling once in between, but Andrew didn't help her up.
Natalie got up, wobbling.
Later, she became much steadier, looking at Andrew in surprise.
The last few steps, she fell into Andrew's arms.
Andrew kissed her.
There was the sound of a car pulling up at the door, mingled with the sound of rain. The servant opened the door and said, "Chloe is all wet! Mr. Hughes, hello."
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