248 Chapter 248

"She is not genuine, I know that…." Vernon murmured as his chest started to tighten out of rage. "I can't be an idiot. I need to hate her. I need to make her suffer, just like what she did to me!"

"Get it together, Vernon! Where is the hate that drives you to the brink of insanity?!"

Vernon repeated that multiple times, something that he used to do when he was in Europe. The drive to hurt his Big sis Chloe made him able to push through and become the way he is right now.

He thought he could maintain the same hatred after he reunited with Chloe.

But he was still the same idiot, it seemed.

Because the moment he saw Chloe cry, he felt the whole world crumble before him.

Vernon covered his eyes with his arm and mumbled, "I can't see her cry. Her tears are enough to wash away all the hatred I have, it's not fair."

Vernon stayed in this position for a while until he tried to assess his current location. He was sleeping in the chaise longue, with the relaxing scent of lavender and chamomile blowing out of the air conditioner.

He also noticed the big beautiful aquascape embedded in the wall, and the information flowed inside his brain until he remembered everything.

"Ah, I was in Shailene's apartment when she told me to lay here and imagine about Chloe…."

Vernon raised his arm to check the time on his watch and then frowned.

"It's already five in the morning? How could I sleep that long?" Vernon asked himself. "Why didn't Shailene wake me up? Ah, wait, speaking about her— where is she?"

'This chapter is updated by N(o)V(e)lB(i)n.',

Vernon was already feeling guilty for what he had done to her back then. He embarrassed himself by falling asleep like a baby while thinking about Chloe.

"Damn, Vernon. You're embarrassing," Vernon blamed himself.

He got up from the chaise longue, wore his shoes, and walked out of the office.

He looked around the empty apartment. He assumed that Shailene must've been sleeping right after he fell asleep.

So he sneaked out of her apartment and texted her after he returned to his car.

-

To: Shailene Walsh - Psychologist

I didn't expect to fall asleep. Why didn't you wake me up?

Anyway, I'm returning to my apartment. I'll send you money as compensation later and will call you again for the next schedule.

-

Vernon sent the text, thinking this was enough to show his guilt.

He arrived at this apartment after an hour, and it was already 6.30 when he opened his penthouse door.

He was exhausted, and his sleep wasn't particularly comfortable in that chaise longue. He threw his suit and shoes at a random spot in the living room and walked to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

Vernon leaned on the fridge while drinking a glass of warm water. He was staring at the wall in a daze.

His head was banging, and he'd appreciate another good sleep in his bed.

"Alright, time to hit the bed again," Vernon said.

He put the glass on the kitchen countertop, but before he returned to his room, he heard a loud gasp coming from the edge of the kitchen where the stair was located.

He turned his head instantly and saw Chloe, who froze while staring at him with wide eyes.

"V—Vernon?" Chloe called him. "W—Why did you return so early?"

Honestly, Vernon had no intention of talking with Chloe right now. The image of Chloe looking down on him, mixed with his complicated feeling, gave him an even worse headache.

But he had one thing to check before he returned to his bedroom.

"Hmm…" Vernon blinked a few times because his gaze was a little blurry. He walked close to Chloe and grabbed her hand before she could escape.

"Wha—"

"Don't move, I'm just checking on the wounds on your cheek," Vernon said.

He leaned closer and caressed Chloe's cheek. There was still a trace of scabs, and it would probably take a while until it healed completely, displeasing Vernon so much.

'I will make sure to give a proper punishment for any bitch who dares to hurt you like this, Chloe,' Vernon swore in his heart. 'I just need the information from Diamond. She's working on it.'

Chloe felt uncomfortable being this close to Vernon, especially when he looked so caring as if he really put her in his heart.

'Obviously, he's just worried about me. But why am I feeling uncomfortable?' Chloe asked herself, then she tried to rationalize the feeling by adding, 'Maybe because I've never been cared for by my ex-husband before, so it gives me strange feelings….'

Chloe quickly pushed herself away from Vernon in an attempt to separate their bodies. She knew her boundary, and she didn't want to cross it, especially after what that woman on the phone call last night said.

It was weird. Her attentive care for a grown man like Vernon was weird.

'',

Vernon's heart was grieving when Chloe suddenly pushed herself away from him. But he wasn't in the mood to argue with her right now.

Vernon sighed and said, "Go apply some medicine or something from the doctor. I don't know what will work. Don't worry about money, I have plenty for you."

"Um, yes, thank you…." Chloe lowered her head meekly. She was also fighting the urge to tell Vernon that the doctor was super expensive and it was just a regular wound. She might as well have waited if that meant she didn't need to spend much money.

Vernon didn't care about her silence and turned around, but before he could return to his bedroom, Chloe suddenly offered;

"Um, do you want to have breakfast first? I can cook for you…."

"No need, I'm more sleepy than hungry right now," Vernon replied.

"Really? I mean, we—we can talk about random things while I'm cooking your breakfast…."

"A talk?" Vernon turned around, interested in the invitation. "What kind of talk?"