A Billionaire in Disguise #3 ： The Wrong Side of Midnight(30)

"I feel bad that Sylvia had to go through all that and feel so hurt, but that didn't give her any reason to do it to me. Even though I went through what she did, I'd never even think about treating my child that way."

"You had me to teach you, Chloe. Your mother had no one. She had no knowledge so she lived in fear. Sylvia didn't know about love, trust, and bonding. All she knew was rejection. Afraid that your father would find someone else and reject her, she stayed by his side. She knew I was there to care for you and give you love, so she was at peace. Yes it was wrong, but she made sure you were going to be cared for first. Sylvia has a long road ahead of her to make amends for what she's done to you, but if she's willing to learn, you might want to think about teaching her, so she won't be too afraid to try."


 

 

 

"Will you come with me to pick out a wedding gown?"

"I would love to do that with you, but that's a mother's job. Every young bride-to-be should have a chance to have their mother walk with them through that process. Even though I love you like a mother, that's not who I am. Take it slow, Chloe, you don't have to get married in a week. Give your mom and dad a chance to treat you better, to get to know Matthew, to learn who you are. And if it doesn't work out, you can sleep comfortably at night because you'll know you did everything you could. I know you want them in your life, but they have a lot to prove to you first. Your father is retiring, did you know that? He's never leaving again and is in the process of trying to find someone to take over the business. He's doing it for you."

For five minutes Chloe remained silent as Becky drove back to the freeway to get her car, providing it was still there. She was always so protective of that vehicle until she found there were more important things in life. A car could easily be replaced, but not being at her best friend's side when she was needed wasn't an option.

The Jaguar was still sitting on the shoulder of the road, unharmed. Becky and Chloe said their goodbyes, with promises to talk again in the morning. Chloe had to get things right with Matthew and figure out how to handle Sylvia and her offer. She had no idea how to proceed with her dad, either.

When she pulled up into the dimly lit parking lot at her apartment, she spotted her mother standing beside her Cadillac, with her jacket wrapped tightly around her body. Her head was faced toward the ground, trying to keep the cold wind off her face. Chloe got out of her Jeep and walked slowly over to her.

"Why are you still here?"

"I wanted to talk to you. I never gave you a second of my time throughout your life, but there was no way I was going to leave from this place, seeing how much pain you were in and knowing I was the one who caused it. You can go inside if you want, but I'm more than willing to sit out here in my car, all night if I have to, until you're ready to talk."

"You waited outside your car for me this entire time?"

"Yes, and I'd do it all over again."

"I know about your childhood," Chloe blurted out.

"It wasn't nearly as bad as the one I created for you."

"Would you like to come inside where it's warm? I'm not sure what I'm going to do about all this, but you can't expect to show up out of the blue and be my mom."

"You're right. Thank you, and I'll take whatever relationship you can offer me."

This was the last person Chloe expected to see when she got home. She would have loved to talk to Matthew first, but hopefully he would understand. She briefly nodded her head in acknowledgement, and then slowly went up the stairs, Sylvia following closely behind. 

When Matthew heard the key in the door, he knew it'd be Chloe, but was worried as to how she was doing. He wanted to call her many times, but knew Becky was right. Chloe had to have time to think without other people's influence. When he saw Sylvia walk in behind her, he was afraid to get his hopes up.

"Have a seat, Sylvia. Matthew, I need to talk with her, and I need you with me."

Matthew waited for Chloe to sit down, and then he joined her on the couch and held her hand.

"What do you expect from me?" Chloe looked Sylvia in the eyes.

"What I expect is for you to hate my guts, which I deserve, and what I'd like is for you to give me a chance. What do you expect of me?"

"I don't know. I think the best I can ever do is try and become friends with you and Earl."

"Thank you, Chloe. Is it okay if I call you, or stop over to visit?"

"I can't promise I'll want to talk or sit and visit. I have a lot to sort out, and you have to be willing to take baby steps with me. One thing's for sure, if you can't accept and be kind to Matthew, then we don't need to ever speak again."

"He's a very good man, Chloe. He'll be welcomed inside this family."

"I have to ask you this. Do you have intentions of leaving?"

"No, we're done traveling. Your father has found someone else to take over his projects in Africa, and he hasn't stepped back in the office since your accident."

Her mind immediately went back to her hospitalization. Even with what Lois told her, she still couldn't understand why a mother would stay away when her child is close to death. "I think I'm going to go to bed, Sylvia, I'm pretty tired. Matthew will walk you to your car. Goodnight."

Chloe stood up and watched as she left.

When Matthew came back inside, he just stood and stared at her. "I'm sorry for-"

"Come here."

Matthew walked over to her and felt her arms wrap around him.

Chloe looked him in the eyes. "I love you more than you'll ever know. You knew you needed to help, regardless of the consequences you'd get from me. You're one heck of an amazing guy. But I'm not marrying you in a week. I can't do something that big, with my world turned upside down. Can you understand and wait for me?"

"You know it, babe. You know I'd wait for you until the end of time."

Chloe lay in bed that night and listened to Matthew take deep breaths as he slept. Seeing her mother standing out in the cold, waiting for her to come home, wasn't something she thought Sylvia would ever do. Quietly she got out of bed, went into the living room, and called Lois.

"Chloe, is something wrong?"

"I know it's late, and I'm sorry I woke you up."

"Did you have a bad dream?"

Chloe chuckled at the thought of Lois still caring, after all these years, whether or not she had a bad dream. "I wanted to talk to you for a minute if that's okay?"

"What's on your mind, sweetie?"

"I came home tonight and found my mother standing out in the cold, in a crappy neighborhood I might add, waiting for me. I can't get that out of my head."

"I think she's serious. I've known that woman for a long time, and she's never done anything that desperate for anyone. That was her way of letting you know she wasn't going to run."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Chloe, search your heart. You're a very good person, and I've never known you to let someone stay out in the cold for no reason. Think about what I said, and try to get some sleep. You'll figure out what it all means."


 

 

 

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Chloe got up early and cancelled the reservations for the church. After downing her third cup of coffee, she picked up the phone and called her mother.

"Sylvia, I'm going out to look at dresses if you'd like to come along."

"Let me throw my shoes on and I'll be right there!"

"No, I'll come by and get you so this doesn't end up in the papers."

"Sweetie, even if we get followed by the bloodthirsty reporters, at least the pictures would be the truth. Can I come and pick you up?"

"No, I'll be there at eleven."

Chloe wrote a note for Matthew in case he decided to come home for lunch. She didn't want to worry him. Then she got on her shoes and went out the door. When she reached the estate, her father was walking around the yard. He looked up at her and began to walk over. She hadn't thought about this happening. She stayed in her car and tapped on the horn. Sylvia came outside, kissed Earl on the cheek, and then climbed in the Jeep.

"Hi, sweetie, would you like to go to that boutique?"

"Sure." Her brow furrowed the moment her mom arrived.

Chloe turned on the radio and drove to the bridal salon so there wouldn't be a bunch of dead silence. She knew Sylvia would try to chit-chat and that was the last thing she was interested in doing.

When they reached the boutique, her mother was the one who talked to the saleslady.

"Mrs. Burlington! It's so good to see you again! What can I do for you? We have a great line of new spring arrivals … "

"I'm not here for me, I'd like you to bring my daughter some bridal gowns to try on."

"Ooh, I didn't know you had a daughter."

The silence cut deep.

"I'll go get some dresses, Ms. Burlington, just have a seat right over there and I'll be right back."

Sylvia's cheeks were still burning and her eyes were watery when she turned to her daughter. "Chloe, I'm so sorry. We can go if you'd like."

"Baby steps, remember?"

Chloe tried on so many gowns, and just when she was ready to give up, the lady brought her one more. This one came in this morning. I just didn't get to the deliveries yet. Look!"

Chloe's mouth dropped. "Oh, that one's beautiful. May I?"

"Come on in here and I'll help you try it on."