"I believe in you, Vernon," Chloe's voice was gentle like a feather tickling Vernon's heart. After realizing that Vernon started to loosen up, she added, "I know you're angry, but you need to understand that I don't want to lose you."

Vernon was stunned the moment Chloe said that sentence. He closed his eyes, trying to hide the pain in his eyes. But Chloe read him like an open book, so he thought there was no hiding it.

"It's not fair," Vernon muttered, his voice was a little dry, and he was holding his tears. "Why are you saying that when I'm about to kill someone."

"Now I can't get angry anymore. I don't want to lose you either...."

Chloe chuckled. Despite the pain she was enduring right now, her heart felt no fear.

Even after facing the monstrous man who abused her for ten years straight, her heart was filled with courage and warmth. This was the first time she fought against her nightmare, and it felt damn good.

Well, damn risky too, but nothing beat that feeling of relief when you realized that you weren't as hopeless as you thought.

Vernon gently covered Chloe's hand with his and pressed it deeper on his cheeks to feel the warmth.

But then he saw Chloe wince for a split second, trying to hide her pain.

His gaze darkened when he remembered how bad the bruise on Chloe's hands was, so he quickly released her hands and said, "You're going to the hospital now."

...

"Chloe, seriously-"

"I know," Chloe sighed. "But you must come with me. I don't want you to find Vincent when I'm not around."

Vernon sighed defeatedly. Chloe truly read him like an open book.

"Fine, but you must follow all the medical procedures. I won't let you get hurt much more than this," Vernon turned around and crouched with his strong back facing Chloe. He opened his palms on his back, ready for a piggyback. "Let's go."

...

Chloe was bewildered by Vernon's action, "Why are you-"

"I'm going to carry you to the car, let's go," Vernon said.

"I can walk on my own. My feet are alright...."

"No chance, just hop on my back and let's go, we can't wait much longer for your wounds," Vernon insisted.

Chloe hesitated for a second, but seeing how stubborn Vernon was, she decided to give in and climbed Vernon's back. She circled her arm around his neck, and Vernon supported her by propping her inner thighs.

Her boobs pressed on Vernon's strong back, and Chloe tried to push herself a bit to make it less awkward.

"No-no, keep your head close to my shoulder, you might fall," Vernon said, though his voice trembled a little.

Because both of them knew that Vernon just wanted that feeling of having Chloe's boobs pressed against his back.

"Um... excuse me then..."

"Hup!" Vernon stood straight and walked to the door. He commented, "You should eat more. You're so thin, I could barely feel you back there."

"I--I'm trying...." Chloe mumbled shyly.

Vernon opened the door and saw Mackie with Diamond sitting on the sofa.

Mackie sprung up from the sofa and rushed towards Uncle, who carried Mommy, "Mommy! Are you okay up there?"

"Y--Yes, I'm okay...." Chloe was embarrassed to be discovered by her daughter in this position, but Vernon didn't seem to mind, and even Mackie and Diamond didn't have a big reaction.

As if looking at her being carried by Vernon was a natural thing.

"Diamond, we will use your car to go to the hospital," Vernon ordered since Diamond's car was the only one with four seats.

"Sure, Boss," Diamond grabbed her car key and went to the elevator to open It.

Vernon looked down at his niece. He was apologetic for showing such a scary glare at Mackie, "Sorry for showing you the scary me. Don't worry, your Mommy calmed me down."

"Um! It's okay, Uncle!" Mackie said. "Mommy said that she is alright with you, that means you won't beat her, right?"

"Never, I will never hurt her," Vernon said, it was more like a promise to Mackie, and the little girl was assured.

"Okay then!"

"The elevator, Sir," Diamond said.

Thus, four of them went down to the basement with Diamond as the driver, went to the hospital, and went straight to the ER.

Vernon made a scene by demanding the Doctor immediately. He also made a ruckus by insisting on staying with Chloe while she was being examined.

The Doctor gave Chloe's hands a quick glance and shook his head, "We need to run x-ray scan. It's obviously much more than just a swollen hand."

He also noticed bruises here and there and silently glanced at Chloe and Vernon simultaneously.

"It's not him," Chloe said.

The Doctor released a relieved breath, "At least it's not a domestic abuse case."

"It is," Vernon corrected. "But not by me. I'm here for her."

The Doctor felt there was much more story than meets the eye, but he didn't have the right to question that. He just brought Chloe to a special room for an x-ray scan, and after a moment, he returned with the result.

"This is bad," Doctor said. "Miss-"

"Carlson, Mrs. Carlson," Chloe said, not wanting to use the Gray surname anymore, at least not from that bastard.

"Okay, Mrs. Carlson, from the scan, your left hand is somewhat alright. It's badly swollen, but there is no dislocation or fracture in your finger bones."

"But your right hand; three of your finger joints are dislocated, and there are a few fractures in the bone," The Doctor explained. "Your left hand can be dipped in ice water and I'll also give you a few medicines for that. But your right hand needs to be put in a cast, should be for about three to six weeks."

Chloe's eyes widened, "T--Three to six weeks? Can it heal faster, Doctor?"

"With this kind of damage, three weeks to heal is already a miracle."

"But... I have work to do...." Chloe imagined all the house chores, cooking, laundry, and Mackie. She couldn't leave all that alone for three weeks.

"No you don't," Vernon suddenly interrupted. "Just put the cast, Doctor. I'll be the one taking care of her while she heals."