# 50
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“Now,”
Chloe raised her head.
“Are you saying I didn't respect you?”
“Otherwise, what would you call it then?”
Their eyes met. The kindness he had shown in the hall was turned upside down, and his gaze became so intense that it frightened. But this time, Chloe actually made a mistake. So I accepted it with resignation.
“I admit it. This time, I didn’t respect your words. I apologize.”
“I didn't mean to ask for your apology. I'm only saying this because I want you to follow my will for once.”
“Have I never followed your will?”
Chloe placed her hand on her chest, stunned. Then she raised her voice.
“If I had not followed your will, would I have remained locked up in the North for all five years? Would I have remained idly by, giving you all the power to decide the big matters in the family? I have always followed your will!”
“Then why didn’t you follow my will to the end! The same won’t happen again today!”
Eric's shouts filled the carriage. It was probably louder than the engine running.
Chloe felt terrified, so she leaned back. Confusion crossed Eric's face. He loosened his tie and touched his forehead.
“Damn it! I didn’t come to fight you.”
mutter.
"I was worried because it was snowing. You didn't even bring a proper umbrella. How amazing you borrowed a carriage! I thought you would want to borrow a carriage from the royal family to get home, but given Elizabeth's sharp temper, I knew she would never allow it. She must have tried to get you to spend the night at the royal palace. At the Third Prince's palace. Am I wrong?"
Eric got everything right, as if he had seen the situation himf. Chloe nodded, but at the same time her thoughts went in a different direction.
Chloe relived the conversation she had with Eric that morning, and it turned out that Eric was very reluctant to let Chloe have a sleepover. In addition, there was the third prince, William, whom he greatly disliked. So maybe that was why he came? Not because he was worried, but because he was worried that she would be involved in a scandal...
“So you mean you came because you're afraid I'll spend the night outside.”
"mistake."
But Eric answered sternly, as if he was mocking Chloe's thoughts.
“As I said before, no matter where you sleep, it is not my place to interfere.”
He continued.
“I came here because I was worried about you. Because you are a woman who would rather walk a ten-mile road alone than sleep in the Third Prince’s palace. How long has it been since you were bedridden due to the bitter cold?”
Chloe's eyes widened.
I was truly amazed at how accurate Eric's predictions of her behavior were. She was also surprised again by his sincere concern for her health. It was full of surprises...that's what this conversation was about.
"So, I came here for you. For your sake, I talked to the disgusting wives. Don't you realize this kind of effort?"
Eric gritted his teeth. He was supposed to have felt very insulted by the conversation he had had with the wives earlier. Chloe tugged her chin.
“I would like to say thank you.”
“Don't just say that.”
Eric said, staring intently at Chloe.
“Go back, wash with warm water, wear thick clothes, and go to bed immediately. Can you fulfill this request?”
Chloe couldn't understand why Eric was acting this way. Why does he want to look like a caring husband now? Was that part of what he said? No, he announced he wouldn't try anymore. So why?
Was he trying to hide the divorce story again?
She didn't like it. Chloe didn't want to endure any more pain in the hope of Eric's return. It was in vain, and she no longer wanted to be fooled by his false kindness.
She didn't like it yet. Chloe was a very stubborn woman, and Eric didn't change enough to break her will.
“I don’t want our divorce decision to be withdrawn.”
She stared intently into Eric's eyes.
“I want you to refrain from spreading the idea that we will not separate like we did before.”
His tone was suddenly cold.
Eric never imagined hearing Chloe say something like that. He has reached this point thanks to his kindness!
But how could she say that? How could she ignore his kindness!
Eric felt choked for a moment, his neck tense.
“That was because I didn’t want us to be the subject of people’s gossip.”
Eric added that as if he was making excuses.
"We were going to separate anyway, but I didn't want to tell people until then. Divorce is a big deal, and it could affect investors who want to invest in my project."
"Yes, this is correct."
Chloe answered calmly, as if she understood now.
"I was afraid you would say again that there was no divorce. Thank you for not doing that."
Thanks? Thanks ? Eric was so excited he was about to burst out laughing.
Anyway, five years. They lived as a couple for five years, but she was grateful for the divorce?
Eric felt so helpless, and at the same time, he felt his anger rising.
Cruel woman. Bad woman. A woman who doesn't care about him!
Eric was angry, and he expressed some of his anger. He didn't speak to Chloe until they were back at the palace. Chloe didn't talk to him.
It seemed that the end of the relationship was imminent.
* * *
It was cold inside the house.
Chloe only left the room once a day, when she went for a walk, and Eric was locked in the lab and wouldn't come out.
However, there was a hidden conflict between them, which greatly contributed to the calm atmosphere prevailing in the palace.
Daniel said it was like walking on thin ice; Andrea said she had no idea what was going on, and the remaining maids - the maid who leaked the information to Abigail had been fired - spent every day fearing when they would be fired from this place.
Meanwhile, a welcome visitor has arrived. It was Theo Gassen, a friend of Eric's.
He hasn't been seen since the Leon Gatsby incident. He was locked in his house and never came out. What an alcoholic gambler!
Eric was well aware that this was Theo's way of apologizing, so he welcomed his visit warmly. He also didn't like spending too much time in his house surrounded by this terrible silence.
"My friend! Long time no see! How are you?"
Theo said as he stood in the hallway wiping the snow. Eric sat in front of the warm fireplace, crossed one leg, and shook his head.
“Yes. How are you? I thought you had more time for f-reflection. I didn’t know it would be this easy.”
"I was about to lose my mind just staying home for three weeks. What else? Are you going to go crazy and kill me?"
"If it's possible, I'd like to do it. Is that possible?"
“You make hurtful jokes.”
Theo approached Eric, complaining.
“As you said, I thought I should introspect myf a little more. However, I had no choice but to leave after a period of introspection because I heard an interesting story. I came to you immediately!”
“Interesting story?”
Eric's eyebrows rose. Theo was excited and continued talking.
“Did something big happen to Ms. Leon?”
Eric frowned.
Eric didn't know exactly what happened at the royal tea session or what kind of conversation was taking place, but he did know one thing.
Chloe was nervous and sensitive about the events of that day.
So he tried not to relive that day, but his friend, who came a long time later, kept reminding him of that day again.
“I don't want to talk much about this topic.”
“Is this really true? But it is too interesting a story to miss!”
Theo continued before Eric could refuse again.
"On that day, Lady Abigail Lyon seemed ready to come. She must have said what her maid had said. What was she determined to do? Of course, she was prepared to anger Chloe Aslan! Why did she frown like that? Was this what she had expected since Gatsby Lyon's face was broken? Oh, of course, I don't communicate with Lord Gatsby Lyon at all now. I say this just in case you misunderstand me. I'm a lowly person, but I'm not that kind of lowly."
He took a sip of the water Andrea brought him and opened his mouth again.
“Anyway, it seems that she wanted to spread the news that your relationship with your wife is not well. That is why she deliberately provoked Princess Elizabeth.”
“Do you know how that got into the conversation, how that happened?”