# 35
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Chloe looked like she was about to cry. But this cannot be true. Eric denied it. Chloe wasn't the type to cry. There was no way she would burst into tears
Eric let out a deeper sigh, gathering the strands of hair hanging over his forehead.
“I'm sorry about that, but I can't help it. I was busy, and I didn't have enough time to take better care of you. However, like you said, I'm trying. I'm trying to be better with you now.”
Speak in a firm tone.
“Don't you like this?”
Chloe hurriedly shook her head.
“No, it's not that. It's just...”
She slowly raised her sweaty hands and placed them on the table. She looked down and seemed lost in thought.
What should you say? Eric was anxious to know her next words, so he waited.
"Thank you."
These simple words were not what he expected at all.
Thank you?
What did he do?
Eric was too confused to respond. He didn't know how to react, so all he could do was show an embarrassed reaction.
Meanwhile, Chloe smiled brightly at Eric.
“Really. Thank you, my dear.”
She was grateful for everything. Eric has worked hard for Chloe, and now Eric said he's going to try harder. She was thankful for all of this...
What if you're not about to die?
Then, she could feel happier.
Chloe continued to smile even as she suppressed the heaviness in her chest.
* * *
Before she knew it, it was already evening.
The night view on board the balloon was also beautiful. The sparkling starlight shone brilliantly throughout the night sky as if repelling the darkness of the sky
Chloe couldn't take her eyes off the window as she watched the bright lights. Eric watched her smile gently.
This day was very quiet.
They had quarreled a little earlier in the day, but it ended amicably, and they had dinner quietly. Eric felt that today was a lot of fun. He enjoyed it more today because he saw an unexpected side of Chloe, but anyway.
The day passed peacefully because Eric himf was able to relax and feel at ease. Chloe wasn't the problem, it was him himf. Therefore, Eric decided to be kinder and more affectionate towards Chloe.
“It's time for bed already. It's too late.”
He pointed to the clock, which, unbeknownst to them, showed midnight approaching. Chloe inadvertently looked away from the window.
"I know. It's way past bedtime."
Chloe answered feeling a little tired.
“If I knew balloon rides were this much fun, I would have gone more. Can you take me with you again next time?”
Eric stared into Chloe's sparkling eyes and burst into a chuckle.
“As long as I can see your face.”
"My face? Why?"
Chloe looked at her reflection in the hand mirror. As usual, she looked pale and sick. What was Eric talking about now? Chloe couldn't quite understand
Eric didn't mean it. How could he say that she looked as innocent as a child now, with her face shining like a star? Never in his life had he said something so embarrassing.
“Anyway, let's go to sleep now. It's getting pretty late.”
"Good."
Chloe sat quietly on the bed. Then she looked around slowly.
It was a spacious room. There was a sofa set, a desk, and some paintings on the wall as well
But there was only one bed. Does this mean she will sleep with her husband?
Her heart was beating hard.
Chloe raised her head slightly and glanced at Eric.
"What about you? Aren't you going to sleep?"
“I still have some work to do.”
Chloe looked at the devices on his desk. She frowned.
“Daniel told me you rarely sleep.”
“He seems to have a hobby of talking nonsense. I asked him to be careful with his words, but he seems to be deliberately ignoring me.”
“Of course, because it has to do with your health. And I’m your wife, so it’s natural for him to tell me.”
Eric didn't disagree with her because she was right. Chloe pointed to Eric.
"Come here and get some rest. I'll be by your side."
Eric hesitated for a moment. Then he looked at his right leg. Because he was wearing long pants, his prosthetic leg probably wouldn't show. He nodded and headed towards the bed.
“Lie down.”
At Chloe's words, Eric lay down in bed without saying a word. Naturally, Chloe lay down next to him as well. She pushed Eric's bangs back. It was a cold touch, but it was nice. With a slight smile, Eric took her hand, like a purring cat
“This doesn't look bad.”
Chloe was very surprised when he took her hand. She never expected him to accept her touch!
Beats, beats. Her heart started beating fast again.
Will tonight be the night they do it? Her heart was pounding, even in her head. Slowly and carefully, I traced Eric's forehead. Eric slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
How much time has passed?
It was only half a turn of the minute hand before Eric opened his eyes again.
"I can't sleep. I have work to do."
Chloe sighed briefly as if she didn't want to let Eric escape her touch.
But nothing could be done. He said he had something to do, so it was right for her to retreat here.
She felt ashamed, but she tried to hide this feeling from her eyes. Then she turned towards the office.
“What are you making?”
There were different types of machines on the desk – things Chloe didn't even know the names of when she looked at them cloy. Eric replied curtly.
“Nutritional supplement for prosthetic leg.”
“An artificial leg?”
“Do you want to see her?”
“Yes, I want that.”
Eric got out of bed and retrieved the prosthetic leg from his desk.
As a prosthetic, it seemed very advanced. It had an outer iron plate, but it was filled with many gears inside. Some were so small they could barely be seen. How did he make something like this?
“Wow...”
Since it was her first time seeing a prosthetic up close, Chloe expressed her admiration
“This is amazing.”
Hearing Chloe's admiration, Eric felt his shoulders rise
“It's amazing,” she said. He was the only one in the whole world capable of doing something like this, so it is not enough to say “amazing.” But he was absolutely sure of that.
“But if you wear something like that on your leg...”
Chloe's afterthoughts brought Eric back to his senses after he was cocky.
"It must be annoying. I think it might be painful, too."
His right leg started to hurt. It didn't usually hurt, but strangely, it now felt like it was pulsing.
Eric took a deep breath. His hand trembled as he held the prosthesis.
“Does that disgust you?”
“Huh?”
Chloe shook her head in surprise.
“No, that's not what I think. It's just...”
She explained with a sad smile on her lips.
“I feel sorry for them.”
Chloe clasped her hands together.
“For someone to lose a limb...it's sad, because they must have suffered unimaginable pain. That's why you're amazing, my dear. You gave these people hope. Hope that they can walk on their feet again.”
As she looked at Eric, Chloe's eyes were shining with tears. Although he knew she was not letting those tears flow, Eric thought she was crying out of pity.
Empathy. correct. Like the pity one could feel for a mere dog.
He bit his lower lip hard. Eric's deep-rooted inferiority complex began to flare up again.
If I had known that one of his legs was artificial, I would have felt sorry for him. Instead of admiring him and telling him he's great the way she is now, she would just feel sorry for him.
It made him feel f-pity, small, and inferior...
Damn.
“My dear, you are a very good person.”
Eric shook his head and muttered
"Go to sleep first. I'll go back to work."
Chloe didn't know why his mood had suddenly changed, and she had no choice but to nod in response.
Chloe thought to herf.
No wonder her husband was angry.
She thought the reason he was angry was because she said something wrong.
Once again, I made him angry.
She buried her face in her pillow, blaming herf for this stupidity.
It was a stifling night.
The starlight is no longer beautiful.
* * *
The next day, they left the airship. They did not exchange a word of conversation until they returned home
The carriage was completely silent. It was very annoying.
Chloe kept looking at Eric the whole time. But he contented himf with reading the group of telegrams he received the moment they left the balloon.
He didn't look at her even once.
So, Chloe thought again. That the mistake was her fault.
She was convinced that the good atmosphere had been ruined and he had become embarrassed because of her. It was her fault.
Those beautiful moments were just a dream. Eric will soon be back to his usual f.
If she had known that she would disappear completely as a mirage, she would have enjoyed the moment more...
Chloe smiled bitterly to herf and bowed her head.