Chapter 448 448

"If… if you're willing to listen to some of my work rants, then I'll be happy to tell you, Chloe," Vernon said. He had a bit of doubt in his heart, though, and he wanted to ask that right now. "But I wonder, is it okay for me to open up to you? Will you… change your opinion on me?"

"Why would I change my opinion on you?"

"I don't know… maybe you'll see me as a weak man," Vernon admitted. "Tell me, Chloe, if looking at my vulnerability will only make you feel weak, then I'd rather never show my weakness no more. I don't want to make you feel like I'm not the right man to lean on."

Vernon felt that he had stripped himself of his man pride. He was a simple man who was weak in front of his beloved woman. This was the true self that he always tried to hide behind his imposing figure and intimidating presence.

"Do you think it's a turn-off if you see my weak side?" Vernon asked. Though he already expected that Chloe would lie and say that it was okay for a man to show weakness, even though deep down, she would judge him for being weak.

But getting a white lie from Chloe didn't sound too bad for Vernon.

Chloe went silent for a moment. She took the question seriously because Vernon must've expected a serious answer.

"Well, honestly, I do want a strong man I can lean on…." Chloe muttered with the truth.

Vernon's heart dropped. He knew it was a mistake to open up. He'd rather bottle it inside his heart for the rest of his life if this damaged his relationship with Chloe.

Thus, Vernon took swift action to end the conversation, "Alright then, sorry for asking you about that stuff before. Worry not, Chloe. I have my decision ready, I was just having a moment of weakness," Vernon said. He got up and was about to turn around when Chloe tried her best to hold Vernon's hand with her weak grip.

"I—I'm not done talking…." Chloe said.

Vernon paused for a moment and looked down at Chloe. He had his usual seriousness alongside his intimidating gaze that would make people tremble in fear.

But Chloe wasn't scared at all. She had known that Vernon was just trying to put on a facade to make him look bigger and stronger.

"Sit down, Vernon, I'm not done talking."

…

Rather than returning to kneel in front of Chloe, Vernon decided to just sit on the sofa right next to her.

His expression was sour, and he couldn't hide it. He was pissed that Chloe didn't even bother to lie just to make him happy.

Instead, she slapped him with the cold truth. Making him feel embarrassed for showing his vulnerability to the woman he loved.

Now he regretted everything, hoping he'd just turn back time about an hour ago and just have sex with her to fill their 'love' and help him de-stress in the most primal way possible.

Chloe sighed as she saw Vernon in a bad mood. Obviously, he was angry at her for not faking her answer, but she wanted to be truthful because she thought it was what Vernon needed.

The true version of her, the version that she wanted him to know.

"Vernon, I… I can't lie that I want a strong man to lean on. I have nothing but myself to rely on since I was young, and Vincent has been a huge disappointment, so I just can't help it…." Chloe said. "But, opening up about your worry doesn't make you weak. It's normal for a human to be anxious about something, you know…."

Vernon's expression softened, but he still said nothing and decided to ignore Chloe altogether.

Chloe smiled thinly and gently lowered her head until she rested on Vernon's chest.

She could smell his manly scent, which intoxicated her a little, "Actually, I'm delighted that you're willing to open up about your problem to me rather than trying to bottle it up."

"Vernon, I've seen your effort. How you tried your best to fight Vincent, and I know you're doing it for me and my daughter's sake," Chloe said. "I know it must've been stressful, and I thought I've been really useless because I can't do much to help you."

"That's why I'm happy you're showing your vulnerable side. That means I know that you're still a human, and you trust me enough…."

"You're not useless," Vernon finally couldn't help but speak up. "Your presence is enough to make me happy. You're already helping by being near me."

"Well, I can say the same to you, Mr. Phoenix Gray," Chloe's eyes went down to check on her white cast doodled by Mackie before. "Your presence fills me with courage. That's why I fought back against him. So we are even."

"I want to be a tough woman for myself, Mackie, and for you too. I may be weak, but that doesn't mean I will stay weak forever," Chloe slowly slipped her hand around his neck and hooked Vernon's neck with her arm. She forced him to lower his shoulder until their faces were so close to one another.

Vernon was startled but did nothing as he was afraid any physical reaction from him might accidentally hurt Chloe's recovering wound.

They could feel each other's breaths. Chloe smiled and gave Vernon a light peck at the tip of his nose, "You've been a strong man for me. It's time for you to rest a bit and let me be the strong woman that you can rely on. It's supposed to be a two way road, Vernon. We're supposed to give and take. I'm not going to be the only one who takes everything from you."

…

Chloe finished her sentence with another light kiss, but she pecked the edge of his lips this time, "It's fine to be vulnerable in front of me. You're still the big boy, the tough man, the impenetrable fortress. Nothing will change that."