Chapter 450 She Discovered His Medicine Bottles
The vibe was kinda tense. Frederick glanced over at Chloe and noticed her cheeks were a bit red. She clearly couldn't handle the teasing.
Andrew, on the other hand, had thick skin. At his age, he didn't care about saving face. He stared at Chloe even more intensely.
Frederick chuckled. He echoed Patrick, "Dad, if you keep this up, Andrew might be too embarrassed to come back."
Patrick glared, "Is his skin that thin?"
Andrew just had to endure it.
As everyone got closer, he naturally walked beside Chloe and asked her gently, "Why didn't you ask me to go shopping with you?"
Chloe glanced at him. "Frederick didn't go either! Weren't you going to the office? Besides, I like shopping with Charlotte."
Under the table, Andrew quietly held her hand. "True, women understand women better!" He smiled softly, "I'll go get Natalie!"
Usually, Natalie didn't eat at the dining table because she was too young. Her meals were prepared separately, often just milk.
Chloe was about to refuse, but Andrew was already heading upstairs.
Patrick looked at Chloe and sneered, "Feeling sorry for him again? When a man wants to show off, don't stop him, and don't feel sorry for him! Just follow Charlotte's example and give him a hard time!"
Charlotte served him a piece of food. She said softly, "Dad, if there's anything I haven't done well for Frederick, please forgive me!"
Patrick quickly said, "No! You've been great to Frederick."
Chloe watched with envy. Charlotte not only had Frederick wrapped around her finger, but even Patrick was completely won over. Just as she was thinking this, Andrew came downstairs holding Natalie.
In the summer, Natalie wore a white dress with little red flowers, looking plump and adorable. She hugged her dad and looked at the table full of food. Andrew had the servant bring over vegetable soup and mashed potatoes. Most of it was unsalted, which Natalie didn't really like. But Andrew patiently coaxed her. Natalie was very happy and finished all the food in front of her.
Patrick chuckled, "Who would've thought you're so great at coaxing kids! If your company ever goes under, you could open an orphanage."
Andrew immediately said, "It's because Natalie is well-behaved."
Natalie especially liked him and leaned against her dad. Andrew couldn't help but pinch her chubby little belly. By the end of the meal, he hadn't eaten much himself.
Chloe noticed and felt uneasy, but with the family around, she was too shy to say anything. She glanced at Charlotte.
Charlotte understood her meaning and said to Andrew, "Andrew, you should eat something!"
Andrew was slightly stunned. Then he smiled, "I never eat much!"
Charlotte didn't say anything more. She looked at Chloe and saw her eyes were a bit moist.
She privately asked, "Feeling sorry for him?"
Chloe felt awkward, "No!"
Charlotte didn't ask further.
After the meal, she and Chloe tidied up the kids' things, while Andrew was called into the study by Patrick. The door closed. Patrick was no longer joking. He gestured for Andrew to sit down.
Patrick still loved Chloe and valued the children more than his pride. He sighed softly, "I don't oppose you two being together, but I won't encourage it either! Whether you can make it to the end depends on you! Andrew, Chloe isn't a child anymore. She can't chase after you like she did before!"
Andrew felt a pang in his heart. "I know," he said.
Patrick waved his hand, feeling pretty sad, but he still felt compelled to speak his mind. "Chloe's been spoiled since she was a kid, and most of her suffering has come from you. As her father, I can't say much because she likes you! Of course, you've sacrificed a lot for her too! Andrew, I don't ask for much now, just that you spend more years with her!" After saying this, Patrick turned away, a glint in his eye.
Chloe was just in her early 30s. Andrew was much older and not in great health, which really worried him. But what could he do?
Andrew sat quietly, lost in thought. These were his worries too. He knew chasing Chloe in his current condition was selfish.
After a long while, Andrew said hoarsely, "Dad, don't worry."
Patrick quietly wiped away his tears and said, "Alright! Just live well and raise the two kids! I think Gavin is great! That trait runs in the Devereux Family."
They talked a bit about business. When Andrew went downstairs, Charlotte was holding Gavin's hand, and Natalie was in Chloe's arms.
Seeing Andrew, Natalie stretched out her chubby hands. "Daddy, hold me!"
Andrew stepped forward, holding Natalie and carrying a suitcase in one hand. He looked at Chloe and said gently, "You drive." Chloe didn't object.
As the family of four left, Charlotte stood at the door, feeling complicated. She had long awaited this moment, and it had finally come true.
Frederick put his arm around her shoulder and watched with her. "Tearing up? Ms. Russell, you aren't usually that fragile!"
Charlotte glanced at him. She already knew about him faking his illness and had been giving him the cold shoulder for days. Frederick was too bad! He had tapped her phone, and when caught, claimed he had a psychological disorder and needed her to accompany him to see a therapist. But every time, he just slept inside!
Charlotte glanced at him, "I haven't forgiven you yet!"
Frederick wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He pressed her against the wall by the door, gently touching her waist, deliberately trying to seduce her. "So, Ms. Russell, how can I make you forgive me?"
"Why don't you tap my phone too?" Charlotte kicked him. "Do you think everyone is as perverted as you?"
Frederick laughed lowly. His face rested on her thin shoulder, a bit roguish. Charlotte tried to push him away but couldn't. She was at her wit's end with him.
Chloe drove, and half an hour later, they arrived at Andrew's villa. The villa was quite large, and the car circled around before stopping.
Adeline had been eagerly waiting. Although she had seen Chloe and the kids often over the years, the whole family appearing together was different, especially since Natalie was so young and she hadn't seen her much.
Now, this soft little girl was wobbling as she walked. The night breeze blew, lifting her little dress. Adeline couldn't help but want to give the little one a playful pinch, she loved her so much. She held Natalie, kissing her over and over. Gavin didn't get upset; he waited in line nearby. Adeline naturally didn't neglect him either. After showing affection to Gavin, Adeline turned to look at Chloe, standing in the night breeze. She was still so young and beautiful.
Adeline's nose tingled. She held Chloe's hand, choking up a bit, "It's good to have you back!" These words were not just for Chloe. They were also for Andrew.
Adeline had lost her beloved daughter early on, and now Andrew's uncertain illness left her both afraid and heartbroken.
Adeline tried to control her emotions, but she couldn't. She walked to the side to wipe her tears. Andrew's gaze was deep, also filled with sadness.
Chloe's eyes turned red. She treated Adeline like her own mother and went over to her, acting spoiled, "I'm hungry."
Adeline wiped her eyes and smiled. "I've prepared everything for you."
Chloe smiled sheepishly.
The conversation eased the sadness but also brought back memories. Those sweet and bitter moments flooded their minds.
Adeline stayed with the kids. She bathed Natalie, setting up a small tub in the yard with a little towel. Natalie lay there naked, very happy. Adeline bathed her gently. Gavin was beside them, adding water.
Chloe buried herself in her meal, but halfway through, Andrew took her plate away. "You had a lot for dinner! Eating this much now, aren't you afraid of getting too full?" After saying that, he sat down and started eating her leftovers.
Chloe felt awkward. She said, "I didn't want to make Adeline sad!"
Andrew smiled, "If you get fat, you'll cry later!"
His gentle words left her at a loss for how to respond. She just stared at him blankly.
Andrew ate gracefully and suddenly asked her, "Why do I feel like you've been avoiding me these days?"
"I haven't!" She said softly, "I've been really busy!"
Andrew ruffled her hair, "Go get busy! But make some time for me."
Chloe bit her lip and didn't respond.
Andrew asked her again, "Are you sleeping in my room tonight?"
She was reluctant. Even though they had been married and had two kids, she felt it was inappropriate to sleep with him as a guest this time.
Andrew's gaze was deep. He said, "Bring Gavin and Natalie! What are you thinking?"
Chloe got a bit flustered, "Who's thinking that? I'm not!"
Andrew finished eating. He washed the plate himself and then pinched her cheek, "You're not as wild as you were in your younger days!"
Chloe bristled at his words. Their interactions were a strange blend of charm and clumsiness.
Right before bed, Adeline decided to let the kids stay over. Chloe thought it was inappropriate. But Gavin had already taken his sister and run off quickly. Adeline followed slowly behind.
Andrew took Chloe to his bedroom. Though it was his room, they had lived there together for a short time. Everything was as it used to be.
Andrew wasn't in a hurry. He even went to the study to handle some work, giving Chloe some space to relax. When he finished and returned to the bedroom, Chloe was sitting on the sofa by the window, lost in thought. She was still in the same clothes, unwashed and unmade up.
Andrew walked over, gently ruffling her hair, and said softly, "Feeling uncomfortable?"
Chloe hesitated but spoke up. "Yes, a bit. It doesn't feel as carefree as before."
They had reconciled and shared a bed in the house on Broadway. They had been intimate. But here, she felt like a guest, unable to fully relax and be herself.
Andrew understood. He sat beside her, letting her lean against him. After a moment of thought, he said slowly, "I didn't consider everything. Next time, we'll come during the day and go back at night. If we stay overnight, we'll be at Broadway. Chloe, I'll go at your pace, but it's too late tonight. Let's make do for one night. I won't touch you."
Chloe, while feeling uneasy, didn't make a fuss. Besides, there were two kids. After they talked, he let her shower and even picked out a very conservative nightgown for her. Chloe showered and returned to the bedroom. Andrew found another thin blanket, one for each of them.
She watched him busy himself. At that moment, there was hardly any trace of his former grandeur; he looked just like an ordinary man. She couldn't help but go over and hug him from behind.
Andrew gently patted her hand, "You said you were uncomfortable, and now you're all clingy! Childish!" He pretended to pull the blanket away.
Chloe quickly said, "No! This is good!"
Andrew smiled.
Chloe pressed her cheek against his back, "Even if I'm being childish, can you indulge me?"
Andrew still smiled lightly, "Who else would I indulge?" He took the towel from her hand and dried her wet hair. Her hair was thick and long, and she liked to wash it every night. Andrew always had to dry it for a long time, but these tender moments were especially touching.
She slowly relaxed, resting her head on his lap, gently hugging his waist, and asked, "What did my dad say to you?"
Andrew didn't stop his actions. "He said you always go against him and insist on getting back with me."
Chloe lifted her head, "I did not!"
Andrew looked at her.
She put her head back down, causing him to grunt. She glanced at him, quietly moved away from his crotch, and whispered, "I didn't mean to."
Andrew patted her face, "This is your 'private property.' If it's damaged, it's your loss."
Hearing this, Chloe got a bit angry. She retorted, "Are you sure it's not 'public property'?"
Andrew put down the towel, looked at her quietly for a while, then pinched her face and asked, "Still mad? This belongs to you!"
Chloe pursed her lips, struggling to suppress a laugh but feeling shy.
Andrew pinched her face, "I'm going to shower! Don't play with your phone in the dark!"
She agreed.
Andrew got up, unbuttoning his shirt as he walked to the bathroom.
Chloe climbed onto the big bed. She rolled around twice, then felt it was inappropriate and leaned against the headboard. She then opened the bedside drawer, looking for a book. But inside the drawer, neatly arranged, were over ten different kinds of medicine.
She picked up two bottles to look at. The labels were in German, and Chloe, fluent in several languages, could understand them. As she read, her eyes became moist.
She had reconciled with Andrew, but she had never told him how she had lived these past few years. During her entire pregnancy with Natalie, she had nightmares, dreaming of Charlotte calling her with bad news. So when Andrew came back, her heart finally settled.
When Andrew came out of the bathroom, he saw Chloe sitting by the bed, silently shedding tears.
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