Chapter 116
By the time Chloe got home, the world already felt like it had dimmed.
The drive back was quiet. She didn’t even realize she hadn’t turned on the radio until she parked in front of the house and heard only the hum of the engine. The exhaustion in her bones was heavy, but it wasn’t the kind that came from work. It was the kind that came from trying not to fall apart in front of people.
As she stepped out, the cool evening breeze brushed her face, but it did nothing to calm the ache in her chest. The house lights were already on. Through the living room window, she saw Bella on the couch, reading something, probably a work document or one of those little devotionals she liked flipping through after dinner.
Timothy was no where in sight and that only told her he was either asleep or with Rachel.
When Chloe walked in, Bella looked up immediately. Her brows knitted when she saw the state Chloe was in. The dull eyes, the tired slump of her shoulders, the faint tremble in her fingers as she dropped her bag by the couch.
“You look… worn out,” Bella said softly, closing her book. “What happened p>
Chloe forced a small smile, the kind meant to reassure but never reached the eyes. “Just a long day p>
Bella tilted her head slightly, studying her friend. “A long day or a bad one p>
Chloe hesitated, her fingers playing with the strap of her handbag. “Does it matter? It’s over now.” She tried to sound casual, but her voice cracked halfway through, betraying her.
Bella’s heart tugged. She could tell Chloe had been crying or at least holding herself back from it. The faint redness around her eyes, the stiffness in her movements and the tone of her voice. Bella knew that look too well.
“You know, I’ve seen you after long days,” Bella said gently. “You usually call and start complaining about the printer or the annoying teammate who couldn’t match colors right. But today… you look like you left a piece of yourself somewhere. What happened? I knew I probably should’ve gone to work with you p>
Chloe looked away quickly, blinking. “I’m fine, Bells. Really. You’ve had enough on your plate lately. I don’t want to add my drama to it p>
Bella frowned, sitting up straighter. “You know,” Bella said finally, “you’re doing that thing again p>
Chloe glanced back at her, puzzled. “What thing p>
“That thing you always do,” Bella said quietly. “You act like you have to be the strong one all the time. Like you can only talk to me when you’ve already figured things out p>
Chloe let out a breath, trying to brush it off. “That’s not true p>
“It is,” Bella said, her voice soft but firm. “You’ve always been there for me, Chloe. when Timothy was sick, when I was drowning in work, just to take care of Timmy and Rachel, when everything with Liam fell apart, when I decided to keep the pregnancy, even when mom died. You carried me through things I couldn’t even say out loud. But you… you never let me do the same for you. You never let me in, Chloe p>
Chloe shook her head, a hint of hurt in her tone. “That’s not fair, Bella. I tell you things p>
She was hurt but not from what Bella was saying. She was feeling hurt hearing it at this particular time, when she was feeling broken and upset.
Bella gave a small, sad smile. “True. You tell me things but not when it’s happening. You only tell me after. When you’ve healed. When the pain has already passed. Wanting a moment to figure things out is fine but,Chloe, you do that all the time and it’s not fair on me. You’re always deciding what pain I should be there for you for p>
Chloe froze. Bella’s words were hitting too close to home.
“That’s not true, Bell. Don’t make it look like I’ve been a bad friend p>
“It’s not about that, Chloe. You’re a good friend, one I’d always be grateful for having but what about me? You make me feel like all I ever bring you is my burden. Remember when your mom chose your stepdad’s side after you told her about what he did to you?” Bella’s voice wavered slightly. “That was a good time to have let me be a good friend to you, to share in your pain too. But you didn’t tell me until months later. I only found out after you’d already moved out and pretended you were okay p>
Chloe swallowed, her throat tightening. “That was different. That wasn’t me trying to keep things away from you p>
“And when you found out your ex was married?” Bella continued softly. “You didn’t even call me. You told me a week later like it was just another heartbreak, but you were dying inside p>
Chloe’s eyes shimmered. “Bella p>
“And what about the guy who tried to isolate you from everyone and made you doubt your worth?” Bella’s voice cracked then. “You said you ended things because you ’just didn’t feel it anymore.’ You lied to me because you didn’t want to worry me p>
Chloe’s lips parted, but no words came. Her heart was thudding painfully.
Bella looked at her and her tone softened even more. “You always try to protect everyone else, Chloe. But who protects you p>
The words hung between them, fragile and heavy.
For a long moment, Chloe just stared at her best friend. The living room light cast a soft glow on Bella’s face, highlighting the quiet strength that had carried her through her own storms. Chloe’s chest ached with both love and guilt.
She’d been used to handling her own feelings. Not needing anyone to sympathize or tell her everything was okay even though most of the time that was exactly what she needed. How was she going to start letting people in? What would it even feel like?
There was a time she could easily tell her problems to people she considered family but after her mother failed her, she’d stopped. Could she try it again?
“Let me in, Chloe. I want to be there for you. To share your pain and joys with you, please,” Bella said again.
Finally, Chloe sat down beside her and whispered, her throat tightening. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I… I don’t like burdening you. You’ve been through too much already. The last thing you need is me crying over some stupid—” Latest content publıshed on
“Don’t,” Bella interrupted gently. “Don’t do that. Don’t call your pain stupid p>
Tears stung the corners of Chloe’s eyes, but she blinked them back stubbornly. “You’re just recovering, Bella. You’re finally at peace. I don’t want to add to that or ruin it even for a second for you p>
Bella let out a small laugh, the kind that wasn’t really funny. “If that’s your excuse, then you might as well drop it because Rachel came home crying p>
That got Chloe’s attention immediately. “Crying? Why? Did something happen to her? Is Mr. Camden okay p>
Bella sighed, rubbing her temple. “He’s fine. He collapsed earlier but he’s stable now p>
“If he’s fine then why was Rachel crying?” Chloe asked again, frowning.
Bella gave her a pointed look. “Nice try, but you’re not changing the subject p>
Chloe sighed, defeated. She leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling for a long second. “Fine,” she murmured. “You win p>
Bella’s expression softened. “I wasn’t trying to win p>
“I know.” Chloe’s voice was quiet. “It’s just… it’s been a long day p>
Bella waited, patient and silent since she knew Chloe needed a moment to untangle her thoughts.
Finally, Chloe whispered, “There are rumors at work. About me and Damian p>
Bella blinked. “Rumors? What kind of rumors p>
Chloe gave a short, dry laugh. “The ’she’s-sleeping-with-her-collegue’ kind p>
Bella frowned immediately, disbelief flashing across her face. “That’s ridiculous. People can be so cruel p>
“I know.” Chloe’s voice cracked slightly. “But that’s not even the worst part. The rumors reminded us about the company policy that says two people in the same department can’t… date.” Her throat tightened on the last word. “And Damian… he doesn’t want anything to do with me now. He says he’s protecting my job p>
Bella went quiet for a moment, her eyes softening as she reached out and touched Chloe’s hand. “If that’s what he said then don’t you think he’s right?” she said gently. “We both know you wouldn’t give up your job, Chloe. You’ve worked too hard for it p>
“I know,” Chloe whispered. “I get why he did it. But the way he just… cut me off, Bella. Like it was nothing. Like I’d been the one chasing him, like I’d imagined everything in my head. He didn’t even feel torn or something p>
Her voice broke. She bit her lip, trying to hold herself together, but a tear escaped anyway, rolling down her cheek.
Bella squeezed her hand, her tone tender. “Hey. Look at me,” Bella said, and Chloe did, trying not to cry.