"Chloe, I… I have been in lo—" the word love was so hard to get out of his throat. He swallowed his saliva that had suddenly thickened and repeated, "I have been in lo—"
"MOMMY, I'M DONE WITH BATH!"
Chloe's attention was instantly diverted towards the kitchen, where she saw her daughter appear with slightly wet hair after a bath and a bunch of colorful markers in her hand.
She waved the markers excitedly, "Mommy! Let me draw on your cast!"
Chloe giggled and quickly ignored Vernon, who stood like stone. He clenched his fist, not that he was angry at Mackie for ruining the moment, but he was disappointed and frustrated at himself for being too nervous.
He could be flirting with countless women before he reunited with Chloe because he felt nothing for them. They were all flings, past loves to fill his boredom and destress while venturing into this harsh world.
