Chapter 481 481

'She feels like home,' that thought flashed in Dorothea's mind as she continued hugging Chloe.

It was difficult to explain, but Dorothea could sense the warmth coming from deep inside Chloe's heart that seeped into Dorothea's, giving her the comfort that she never knew she needed.

Chloe felt stiff and awkward because this was the first time Dorothea ever showed affection to her. It felt strange, but she didn't hate it.

Because she could also feel that Dorothea had no malicious intent toward her.

Thus, Chloe opened her left arm and hugged her back.

Chloe gently rubbed Dorothea's back with one hand, and Dorothea's eyes were glazing with tears right now.

That simple rub on her back assured Dorothea that everything would be alright. Even after all the shit happening in her life, that back rub gave her the illusion that there was still hope for her.

'Now I understand why Vernon will do anything to keep this woman by his side. Because I also want to do the same. I want to have someone so warm by my side when I cry my heart out,' Dorothea thought. "Thank you," she murmured as she squeezed their hugs.

"For what?"

"For hugging me back," Dorothea replied. "It means a lot to me."

"Um… I don't know if that helps," Chloe said. "I feel like I did nothing."

'I see. So Chloe doesn't know how much of an impact she had on Vernon and me. She doesn't know that her existence is enough to make him happy,' Dorothea concluded. But she decided not to say it in front of Chloe because she thought it was quite endearing how innocent and clueless Chloe could be despite her age.

Dorothea wondered if Chloe was naturally naive or if living with Vincent for the past ten years had stunted her emotional growth as an adult woman.

Nevertheless, her innocence cleared Chloe of all the accusations made by Shailene last night, which relieved Dorothea so much.

Truthfully, she wanted to connect with Chloe because they were two women surviving the same fate under similar men. She wanted to have a friend.

Of course, she was surrounded by so many 'friends' right now, mostly those who always attended all her parties and gatherings.

But that wasn't the companionship that she wanted.

She wanted a friend who could make her feel like a human, not a rich witch with a lot of money.

'I hope she will accept me,' Dorothea wished. 'I don't know if she will ever forgive me for all of my ignorance and insults. But I will try, that's all I can do right now. Trying and hoping that she will accept me, and I… I can finally have a friend, the first one in my life….'

Dorothea finally released her hug. She grabbed Chloe's shoulder and pushed her to her arm's length, so Dorothea could see her daughter-in-law's face.

Chloe seemed to have gained weight. Her cheeks were fuller, and her complexion was the rudder. Though she was still thin, it was a huge improvement since the last time Dorothea saw Chloe. She also seemed healthy and happy, proving that she had a far better life with Vernon than with Vincent.

Of course, Dorothea realized all the changes in Chloe's body back then. She had an hourglass body when she married Vincent, then suddenly became fatter once she gave birth to Mackie.

It took her so many years to lose weight, but she lost too much that she became nothing but skin and bone.

Deep down, Dorothea knew that Chloe must've been under tremendous pressure because she was also forced by Vaughn to stay in shape, or he'd usually beat her for being too ugly.

Deep down, Dorothea already knew that Chloe must've suffered the same fate as her.

She was just trying to turn blind and deaf because she didn't want to reply to all the bad memories with Vaughn.

And she also thought that it was all justified because Vincent was her beloved son, and convinced herself that her son was better than Vaughn.

'Turns out the apple doesn't fall far from the tree…' Dorothea thought.

Dorothea gave her most sincere smile. She didn't care if Chloe noticed all her wrinkles. She didn't feel like maintaining any image because everything had crumbled when Vincent showed his true nature.

"You seem healthier now," Dorothea praised. "Fuller, rudder, and happier."

Chloe's cheeks reddened when Dorothea praised her. She was not used to being praised in the first place, but getting a compliment from her usually condescending mother-in-law really flustered her.

"T—Thank you…." Chloe murmured. She wanted to return the compliment by saying that Dorothea had gotten more beautiful or that she looked happier. But that would be complete bullshit.

Because Dorothea was a mess right now. Her hair was let loose, and strains of whites were showing everywhere. She had crow's feet and wrinkles every time she smiled or spoke. Her eyes were also puffy. It seemed that she had cried more than she should have.

Dorothea noticed Chloe open her mouth before quickly closing it again. She looked reluctant and guilty, and Dorothea chuckled, "I know that you're trying hard to give me a compliment, right? No need to give me one, Chloe. I know that I'm a total mess right now."

"… Sorry…" Chloe murmured.

"No need to say sorry for something you don't do wrong," Dorothea sighed. "I think it's about time for reality to slam me to the ground anyway. I've sinned too much, and this is my retribution."

"Now I realize that I'm at the mercy of my sons, and none of them wants me," Dorothea said. She scoffed, mocking her own fate. "Not that I expect them to be. I've been a horrible mother to them."

…

Again, Chloe said nothing because she couldn't lie.

Dorothea was indeed a terrible mother to both Vincent and Vernon.

She never reprimanded Vincent and spoiled him rotten.

While she always reprimanded and abused Vernon since he was a kid, giving him no chance to feel a mother's love since he was so young.