Chapter 453 Gavin Thought You Didn't Love Him!
The white sports car rolled to a stop.
Andrew had one arm around Natalie as he stepped forward to open the car door.
Chloe jumped out of the car, looking worried. "Is Gavin back yet?"
Andrew nodded.
"Where is he?" Chloe was ready to rush inside.
Just then, Natalie babbled, "Brother kneel! Daddy kneel!"
Chloe shot Andrew a puzzled look. "What's going on? Why is he kneeling?"
Andrew couldn't really explain.
Chloe gave him a quick glance and hurried into the hall, where she immediately saw Gavin kneeling, looking pretty miserable.
Chloe went over, squatted beside him, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Gavin felt embarrassed and didn't want to talk.
Andrew came in holding Natalie. He knew what was up but didn't want to explain in front of Chloe.
Adeline chimed in, "Just kids being kids! It's nothing serious!"
She was sharp and noticed Gavin's regret.
Not wanting them to scold Gavin more, she added, "He's already kneeling, so let's not make it worse. He's feeling bad enough!"
Sure enough, Gavin's eyes were watery.
Chloe had a rough idea of what happened.
She looked at Andrew, who gave a helpless smile.
Andrew thought Chloe might be biased since she didn't like Molly and usually spoiled Gavin.
But surprisingly, Chloe didn't blame or make excuses for Gavin.
She gently stroked Gavin's head and said softly, "If you feel guilty and want to punish yourself now, then when you're ready, come and have dinner, okay?"
Gavin's eyes filled with tears.
Andrew watched Chloe and Gavin, feeling emotional.
They had both changed a lot: Chloe had matured, and Gavin had become more sensible.
Andrew put Natalie down and lightly patted her bottom. Natalie wobbled over, sat on a small stool, and handed a little bottle to Gavin. "Drink water."
Gavin adored her. He was upset but couldn't be harsh with Natalie. "Go play over there; it's cooler."
Natalie didn't get what was going on; she just held the little bottle, insisting Gavin drink water, wearing down Gavin's temper.
Gavin moved Natalie's stool closer.
Adeline handed a fan to Natalie, asking her to fan Gavin.
Turning to Andrew, she said, "Weren't you supposed to be cooking? Everyone's waiting to eat."
Andrew glanced at Chloe, then said to Adeline, "You're right!" and headed to the kitchen.
Chloe wanted to help Andrew cook and talk about Gavin, but Adeline pulled her back. "Don't go! You can't be so soft-hearted with him! He can work for others outside; can't he cook a meal for his family?"
Chloe stayed put. Adeline shared more wisdom. Gavin listened, and so did Natalie.
Andrew cooked quickly. In half an hour, he had a hearty meal ready.
He brought it to the dining table.
He glanced at Gavin, who was still kneeling!
Andrew put down the tray and wiped his hands. "Time to eat! If you're not hungry, that's okay; but Natalie is. Do you want her to keep waiting with you?"
Gavin looked at Natalie.
Natalie opened her little mouth, "Hungry."
Gavin pursed his lips, got up from the floor, and carried Natalie to the dining table.
He tried to lift her onto a small chair but struggled.
Andrew easily picked her up with one hand, tied a little bib around her neck, and served the kids their food.
Adeline came over, laughing and scolding, "Now he's more like a father!"
Andrew glanced at Chloe, who remained expressionless, her face pale. He said, "It's Chloe's acknowledgement that really matters."
Chloe ate in silence, ignoring him.
After the meal, it was already 2:30 PM.
Adeline took Gavin and Natalie away.
Andrew went upstairs, intending to talk to Chloe.
Today's incident could be seen as a simple clash between two kids or as Gavin acting out. In a broader context, it marked Gavin's second time running away from home.
Andrew felt uneasy.
Upstairs, Chloe was sitting on the sofa by the window. Clearly, she also wanted to talk.
Andrew wanted to ease the tension, so he took a shower first.
After changing into fresh clothes, Chloe watched him.
Andrew walked over, sat across from her, and softly asked, "Are you still mad at me?"
Chloe gently shook her head.
Both fell into silence. After a long while, Andrew spoke first, "Chloe, about Celeste, maybe we both think it's over, but Gavin remembers. That's why he was so aggressive today."
Chloe didn't know how to discuss it with him.
But Andrew had already thought it through. He got up, half-kneeled in front of her, and said in a low, hoarse voice, "There are two options now. First, I won't see that child anymore. Second, we take Gavin to see a psychologist."
Chloe silently shed tears.
Andrew held her hand. He didn't comfort or stop her; he knew Chloe needed to vent.
As parents, they were heartbroken that Gavin had psychological issues.
The sun was setting, casting a golden glow through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making her face look soft and warm. She calmly asked, "Andrew, what's your decision?"
On one side was their biological son, on the other was the child of the late Luke. How would he choose?
When Chloe asked, she already had an idea: if Andrew chose Molly, no matter how much she loved him, she would leave with Gavin and Natalie. She wasn't that magnanimous.
Andrew held her hand and softly said, "I won't go anymore!"
Chloe turned her face away, feeling both sad and embarrassed.
She didn't mean to target Molly; she knew the child was innocent.
She didn't want Gavin to see a psychologist at such a young age.
After speaking, Andrew felt bad too.
He got up, went to the balcony, and made a brief call to Nathan.
When he returned, Chloe was leaning against the sofa, lost in thought.
Andrew walked over, gently hugged her, letting her head rest against his abdomen.
He hoarsely asked, "Do you regret reconciling with me?"
Chloe didn't respond.
Both knew that Gavin had a psychological issue.
He felt Andrew didn't love him, even thinking that Molly was more important.
That night, Chloe didn't want to share a bed with Andrew, so she took Gavin and Natalie back to Hawkins Mansion.
Unexpectedly, Frederick was there, but Charlotte and their kids were not.
Seeing him, Chloe felt a bit scared.
Frederick looked at her, "Had another fight?"
Chloe was too embarrassed to tell the truth. She placed Natalie on the sofa and said, "No!"
Frederick picked up Natalie, pinching her chubby cheeks, and said nonchalantly, "I figured you two would have conflicts! Chloe, lighten up a bit. Just live together when you need to, and keep it flexible. It's perfect!"
Patrick came downstairs just in time to hear this. He said to Frederick, "Keep your bad ideas to yourself!"
Frederick wasn't annoyed, just smiled lightly. "I think she'll agree."
Patrick didn't believe it. But at that moment, Chloe softly said, "I think Frederick is right!"
Frederick chuckled again.
Chloe's eyes were moist. "I just care too much!"
Frederick handed Natalie to Patrick and lazily got up, "I should go back! Otherwise, Charlotte will get suspicious! Chloe, remember, make the man chase you. Don't take the initiative anymore!"
Frederick still harbored resentment. A few years ago, Andrew had lost Gavin while going to the hospital to visit Molly, and now it happened again.
Frederick clearly remembered that New Year when snow was falling from the sky, and Gavin sat at the door for a long time waiting for Andrew.
Gavin was only 8, but Andrew had hurt him countless times!
Andrew needed to make amends not just to Chloe, but also to Gavin.
After Frederick left, Patrick looked at Chloe. He cleared his throat, "It seems Frederick is right!"
Chloe responded with a hum.
She and Andrew had reconciled too quickly. The sweetness of their romance perhaps made them overlook Gavin.
Chloe felt a chill in her heart and decided to stay calm for a while.
On Sunday, she spent the whole day with the kids. For the next week, Andrew would come to see the kids every other day, but Chloe didn't talk much with him, and that sense of estrangement returned.
When the weekend came again, Andrew drove over.
Natalie ran towards him.
Gavin was sitting at the door doing his homework.
Andrew carried Natalie inside, sat next to Gavin, and softly asked, "Where's Mom?"
Before Gavin could answer, the maid said, "Chloe went out of town for a shoot. She'll be gone for a week!"
Andrew was slightly stunned. She hadn't mentioned it to him!
The maid smiled, "Yes! Natalie cried a lot when she left. It's good that you came. You can keep her company."
Andrew nodded lightly. He asked the maid to prepare some water for Natalie.
He then stayed with Gavin while he did his homework.
After that incident, Gavin had become much colder towards him.
Andrew silently watched Gavin and said softly, "I should apologize to you about that matter."
Gavin's pencil pierced the paper. He paused before saying, "It's okay! I'm used to it."
Andrew's heart ached. He didn't say anything more and just silently stayed with Gavin.
But some things, once they had happened, could't be undone no matter how hard you try.
Gavin felt like he had put up an emotional barrier, making it harder for him to open up to Andrew again.
Andrew felt a deep sense of loss, but no matter how much it hurt, he had to endure it.
Over two days, Gavin didn't initiate a single conversation with him.
On Monday night, Andrew stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling window at the company, thinking about Gavin and Chloe.
It had been over a week, and Chloe had contacted him less.
He could feel her coldness, not because she no longer liked him, but because she was troubled by other things.
He didn't know how to mend it, and she didn't know how to get past it.
During the sweltering summer, thunderstorms were frequent. Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, lightning suddenly flashed, illuminating the entire city. The night was as bright as day.
Andrew looked at the sky and decided to sleep at the company instead of risking driving home.
Lost in thought, his phone rang. It was from Chloe. Andrew quickly answered.
The caller was the nanny, sounding panicked, "Mr. Devereux, are you in Syeattel? Gavin has a fever. The rain is so heavy that the doctor can't come. Can you think of a way? The signal at the villa might be out; I can't get through!"
Andrew's fingers tightened, and he immediately said, "I'll be right there."
The nanny's voice was tense, "Drive carefully; the rain is heavy."
Andrew had already hung up. He grabbed his car keys and went out. The car was parked in the open parking lot outside the building. The wind and rain were so strong that the umbrella was useless. In a minute, his shirt was soaked.
But Andrew couldn't care less.
When he opened the car door, rainwater poured into his mouth.
The car interior was also wet.
He got in, turned on the wipers, but visibility was still poor.
This weather was not suitable for going out.
The heavy rain and strong wind swept through every inch of the city. Trees had fallen by the roadside, and various plastic bags were blown into the air, making the world a blur.
Andrew's car was halfway there. A piece of metal fell from the sky. It hit the back seat of the car.
The car skidded out of control for over ten feet before coming to a stop. Andrew's body lurched forward heavily. Blood oozed from his forehead. His head was dizzy, making it unsuitable to drive, but he wiped away the blood and lightly pressed the gas pedal.
After ringing for a while, his phone ran out of battery.
On the other side, Chloe anxiously kept calling. But Andrew's phone was unreachable!
She heard from the nanny that Andrew had gone over, and she was very worried.
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