Chapter 771
Chloe stared at Vincent's palm.
That palm looked so clean and smooth because Vincent never did back-breaking labor in his life. In fact, Vincent's palm was smoother than Chloe's because Chloe still had to do house chores despite being married to a literal billionaire.
Unfortunately, that smooth hand was also the same hand that beat her to a pulp.
It was the same hand that pulled her hair, and he laughed when he saw the strands of brown hair on his hand, saying that she had gotten so ugly she would go bald soon.
A bald and ugly woman that nobody wanted.
This was also the same hand that held other women's bodies when they were on their honeymoon. Vincent always had a history of cheating, but Chloe always tried to close her eyes and acted like everything was okay to lessen the burden in her heart and forget the nightmare.
But no matter what, she tried to forget the nightmare. All this came crashing down in her head when she saw his palm again.
She was a very loyal lady. Even to this point, deep down, she still wished there was a bit of love left for Vincent so maybe they wouldn't have to do this.
But there was none.
She felt nothing but fear and hatred towards Vincent, and now that Vincent asked her to forgive him for using the same hand that beat her, Chloe was disgusted.
On top of that, she already poured all of her love into Vernon, and there was no more space for Vincent in her heart.
'All that is left is bitterness...' Chloe thought.
"Chloe?" Vincent was worried because Chloe didn't react at all.
He thought he did a good job by trying to convince her. He wanted her to return, so they could be a good married couple again.
He thought it was about money and said, "D—Don't worry about money. I might be at the bottom and lose a lot of my wealth right now, but I'm still technically a millionaire, and I promise you that we will be able to maintain our current life. As long as I can get your support at home, I can function again and open a new company that will soar high."
...
Still no answer from Chloe.
She kept staring at his palm, and Vincent couldn't read her expression. He didn't know what was on her mind right now, and he had grown increasingly desperate to find a way to keep her by his side.
So he kept on piling more and more tempting offers to pull Chloe to his side once more.
"How about this. I will buy a new mansion for us. I know that you have a bad memory of our old mansion, and I know I haven't been the kindest. I don't want to evoke your trauma, so let's start anew somewhere with our daughter," Vincent offered.
...
"You don't need to cook or do anything. You just need to stand by my side. I won't tell you to do this, nor will I try to humiliate you. You can always tell me no if you don't like something."
...
"H—How about we live somewhere far instead? How about we live as a small family in Europe? I will find a way to set up a business—"
"Enough, Vincent," Chloe finally opened her mouth. "No matter what you offer, there is no way we can be together."
"Why?" Vincent asked. That was the only thing he could ask right now.
"You can't convince me with all of your sweet promises when you show me that palm," Chloe said. "That palm of yours has beaten me to a pulp many times, yanked my hair, slapped me, raped me, and many more. Everything about you traumatized me, so I can't feel anything but fear and anger when I'm with you."
"... can you forget and forgive everything I've done before?" Vincent asked. "I don't want to hurt you anymore. I don't know how to treat someone gently, so I will ask you to guide me on becoming a better father for Mackie and a better husband for you."
Chloe couldn't handle this anymore.
The more she talked with Vincent, and the more he tried to patch things up between them, the worse nightmare she got in her head. She is constantly reminded of all the crazy things Vincent has done in the name of 'love.'
And she was 100% sure that Vincent would still do that after Chloe and Mackie returned to his embrace.
"Do you want to be a good father and husband for Mackie and me?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, I want to become better. I want to fix things," Vincent admitted.
"Then stay away from us," Chloe said.
"W—What?!"
"Yes, Vincent. The only thing you can do to mend your mistake is to let us go. Mackie and I are happy, and Mackie doesn't want to see you anymore. She is happy with Vernon, who already replaced you as her father."
"So find your happiness, Vincent. I don't wish you to die, nor do I wish you to suffer for the rest of your life," Chloe said. Though she already guessed that Vincent must've been suffering from loneliness, even now. "I want to have my own peace, and that peace is unattainable as long as I can still see your face."
Vincent was shocked by Chloe's words just now. He always thought he had a chance as long as he begged hard enough because Chloe was naturally a soft and forgiving woman. But when Chloe decided to leave him despite all his efforts, Vincent felt like blood had been drained out of his body.
"No, not like this!" Vincent rose and raised his voice in front of Chloe, "Chloe Gray, you're making a huge mistake!"
Chloe was caught off guard, but she tried her best to stay calm in front of him, "The huge mistake I made was marrying you ten years ago, Vincent Gray."