Ch. 6..10: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 6-10

Chapter 6

"What?!" Chloe raised her voice, but toned it down.

"Goodness!" Judith said, taken aback. "Why are you so surprised? Vincent also apologized to Mackie because he was too busy at work," Judith added. "You have such a good husband, you know?"

Chloe's eyes widened out of reflex. She never expected Vincent to pick Mackenzie up from her Mom's house. It was such a shock because she thought Vincent was already ignorant about Mackenzie's existence at this point. The booze and fucking he had done all this time messed up his brain, but for him to act like cares….

She didn't know what caused Vincent to suddenly act like this, bringing Mackenzie to the mall for her birthday, and she got worried.

Judith noticed the long silence and asked, "Chloe, what's wrong?"

"Ah… it's nothing, Mom," Chloe replied with a lie. "I was just having trouble on the road. I'll call you again later, bye."

Beep.

Chloe ended her call with her Mom. She didn't like having to hide things, but what choice did she have? She clenched her phone for a second, unable to contain her anger. Bad thoughts started swirling in her head, as she was scared that Vincent might do something to her daughter to vent his anger.

She hated to call that bastard right after she left, but she had no choice.

She dialed Vincent's number, and only after one beep Vincent already picked it up.

—

"Yes?" Vincent asked as if there was nothing wrong between them just a few hours ago.

"Where's my daughter?" Chloe asked with a sharp tone, unable to hide her panic and anger.

"You mean our daughter, Mackie?" Vincent looked to his left and grinned, "She is still choosing whatever toys she wants for her birthday. We're in a toy store."

"Give the phone to her, NOW!"

"Sure," Vincent gave the phone to Mackenzie and told her about it.

"Hi, Mommy!" Mackie sounded so jolly because her dad didn't forget about her birthday. "Where are you now, Mom? I thought you'd pick me up at Granny's home."

"Ah, M—Mackie, are you good there?"

"Yup! I'm with Daddy! Why aren't you here? I want to celebrate with Mommy and Daddy together!"

"Ah— Uh… Mom has a little trouble on the road. You should have fun with your dad first, buy anything you want there," Chloe tried to act as if nothing was wrong. So, Mackenzie wouldn't notice any difference.

Mackenzie might be seven-year-old, but she was smart and often asked too many questions that Chloe couldn't answer.

"Dear, would you mind giving the phone back to dad?"

"Okay!"

Mackenzie returned the phone to her dad, Vincent, and then resumed picking a new toy she wanted.

"So, what else do you need?" Vincent asked, his light tone infuriated Chloe. This man seriously had no conscience. Even after she mustered up her courage to sign that divorce paper and reveal her angry voice, Vincent acted as if nothing bad ever happened.

They were just the two souls entangled in a cold relationship. It had been like that for the past 7 years, after all.

"What the hell do you want, Vincent?" Chloe asked, full of suspicion.

"What do you mean? I missed Mackie's birthday because I was busy. Of course, I have to keep my promise to her," Vincent replied. "What? Just because you left, that you can cut me out of my daughter's life? I'm not stupid, Chloe. If we get a divorce, I bet you'll do anything to prevent me from seeing Mackie, unless I send child support money. It'll happen sooner than you think. You should remember that you need me if you want the best for yourself and Mackie. Otherwise, you're nothing."

Chloe closed her eyes as she tried to curb her anger over Vincent's degrading words, but this was Vincent's normal way of speaking, though. He was always condescending and underestimated everyone in his life.

Yet, Chloe stupidly put up with it for a long time.

"Vincent, just tell me which mall you're at right now. I will take Mackie with me-" Chloe said.

"To where? A shabby motel where it's dirty and god knows who's crawling around there? Yeah sure, good luck leaving the luxury place we had." Vincent said.

"Any place is better than to live with you," Chloe retorted. "Just tell me where you are. I will bring Mackie!"

"Well, if you insist…." Vincent grinned as he leaned on the wall. Seriously, he didn't know what got into him right now. He was still disgusted with Chloe, obviously. He couldn't even look at her face the way he did when they were dating, but a part of himself still refused to sign that divorce paper.

"If you want to meet with your daughter, either return home or you can meet her at my Mom's Birthday party tomorrow. I'll be there with Mackie."

"You!"

"Not like I wanted it, but my mother invited you, right? After all, you're her good daughter-in-law," Vincent said, and his tone got even more condescending. "Oh, how wrong she is."

Chloe bit her lower lip. Vincent put her in such a difficult situation.

Obviously, she couldn't return to the house because it would be difficult to explain to her daughter the whole problem. Mackenzie might even beg her to stay. She didn't know what Vincent would do in the home.

So, the only choice she got was at Irina's— Vincent's Mom, birthday party tomorrow. She could bring Mackie somewhere before telling her slowly that they would live separately from her dad.

"So, where do you want to meet Mackie? Home, or my Mom's birthday party" Vincent asked. "It's either one of those places or you don't see her at all."

Chapter 7

The moment Vincent made his offer, Chloe gritted her teeth. This man still had the audacity to play a little taunting game with her when she was so done with him. Obviously, she wouldn't return to Vincent's house because Vincent would use Mackenzie to hold her hostage, telling Mackie to start questioning her Mom until Chloe didn't have the heart to leave.

"You're so funny, Vincent. I thought I'd given you the golden opportunity to fuck your secretary all you want. Hell, you can fuck anyone without feeling guilty— not that you can feel guilt in the first place," Chloe mocked.

"Hmm? I will still fuck my secretary after this whole 'running away' thing you did. I just don't want my daughter to think that she lost her Mom," Vincent replied lightly, seemingly nonchalant to any mockery that Chloe tried to utter.

"She will never lose her mom, but she already lost her dad a long time ago!" Chloe retorted as she realized that Vincent didn't take her seriously. "Fine, I will go to your mother's party, and I will take Mackenzie with me!"

Beep.

—

Chloe clenched her phone and threw it on the bed as she covered her face with her palms. She thought she would quickly separate herself from the Gray family after this, but Vincent roped her in, easily using her daughter as a solid reason.

"Fuck, now I have to play the good wife and happy family with Vincent again," Chloe cursed her own misfortune.

The thing that she disliked the most about her mother-in-law was her expectations, as she always expected Chloe to behave well because she was a woman, that all of her complaints would be dismissed.

If Chloe dared to voice any displeasure about Vincent's treatment or the man himself, Dorothea Gray— Vincent's mother, would scold her and call her out for disrespecting the man of the house.

Chloe took a deep breath to calm down before giving herself a small encouragement, "It's okay, Chloe. This will be the last time you will meet and get involved with the Gray family. All you need to do is to take Mackenzie and put on a fake smile, so she won't notice the divorce too soon."

—

Vincent scoffed when Chloe hung up the call abruptly. He knew that Chloe wouldn't ignore her daughter, so it was easy to rope her back to attend his Mom's birthday party.

"Heh, dumb bitch," Vincent mumbled.

"Daddy, I want this one!" Mackenzie returned with a baby doll that had the function to make crying noises and ask for her pacifier.

Vincent smiled and checked on the toys, "You want this? My little princess wants to take care of a baby now?"

"No, Daddy, that's for Mommy!" Mackenzie explained. "Mommy and I will take care of the baby together!"

"Hmm? Only Mom? Daddy can take care of the Baby too, you know," Vincent said as he picked the baby doll from Mackenzie's hand.

"Nah, Daddy can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because Daddy is not a good daddy for this baby, Daddy's never home!" Mackenzie huffed innocently.

**

Chloe put on her small earring before getting ready to attend Dorothea's birthday party today. She called an Uber and called Vincent as she headed towards the party location, the Gray mansion.

The phone beeped a few times before Vincent picked it up;

—

Vincent felt the phone ring. It wasn't too long after he took Mackenzie to the mall. He grinned.

"Yes?" Vincent picked up the call lightly.

p "Vincent, where are you right now? I'm heading to your Mom's mansion," Chloe informed as she checked the road to estimate her arrival at the mansion.

"Oh, Mackie and I are already at the party. Mackenzie is with her grandma right now. My Mom has been asking about you many times," Vincent replied. He smirked and lowered his voice for his next sentence, "She said that you're a lazy woman who can't take care of yourself and your family. I mean, she's not wrong."

Beep.

—

Chloe hung up the phone call again. She wanted to fight with Vincent on the phone but then realized there was no use in it. Since she and Vincent would separate soon, it would be better to cut all the toxicity as soon as possible.

Chloe arrived at the mansion after 30 minutes. She looked at the rows of expensive cars parked around the mansion. It didn't surprise her, though. She knew that The Gray family was old money. They were filthy rich for generations, and Dorothea Gray became the current matriarch after the death of Vaughn Gray— Vincent and Vernon's late father.

"Wow, all these expensive cars, haha…" the uber driver commented nervously as he drove Chloe to the mansion's front porch.

Chloe gave a sigh, "You get used to it after a while. They're nothing but bootlickers."

Chloe stepped out of the car after arriving at the front driveway. The party was full of chatter. People in expensive suits and dresses talked in groups, on their jobs, lives or who's got the higher income.

Chloe ignored the judging eyes of a few women who realized that Chloe's dress wasn't as expensive as theirs. Some of them pointed at her and whispered to one another. Chloe paid them no mind. Chloe didn't take any expensive gowns from her wardrobe because they were all Vincent's gifts. So, she wore an old black dress she had before getting married, good thing it fit.

She strutted straight to the main hall, and a man suddenly stepped in and blocked her way, "You actually came, huh?"

Her ears burned at the voice. Chloe looked up and saw Vincent smirking at her, "That old dress looks good on you though… Reminds me of that crazy time we had in my car back in college."

Chapter 8

"Ditch your shitty nostalgia, Vincent. Where is Mackenzie?" Chloe asked while glaring at Vincent.

But the man's eyes were full of arrogance. In fact, it seemed that Vincent saw everything as nothing but a joke. He didn't laugh, but a small smile was there.

"Mackie is with my Mom right now," Vincent replied smoothly. "She's been waiting for you in her room."

Chloe looked at the cake in the middle of the hall that had been sliced. Dorothea had returned to her room, allowing the rest of the guests to enjoy the party.

She clicked her tongue and left without saying a word. Vincent watched her back. Chloe was wearing a dress that revealed her back. Chloe had a voluptuous figure when she was young. Sadly, it changed after she gave birth.

But the continuous depression and eating disorder gave her that original bombshell beauty body that all men like.

"See? I'm doing her a favor," Vincent chuckled lightly before emptying the wine glass in his hand.

**

Chloe strutted towards a long corridor whose marble tiles were covered with red carpet. She saw the huge door at the end of the corridor. The security who guarded the door recognized Chloe immediately.

They opened the door for Chloe, and she entered without hesitation.

She saw her mother-in-law eating snacks with her daughter. She stopped smiling when she saw Chloe, though.

"Happy birthday, Dorothea," Chloe said with a thin smile.

Dorothea didn't say a word. She scanned Chloe from head to toe and patted Mackenzie's head, "Dear, would you mind leaving for a moment? You can return to your dad in the main hall or just ask the security outside to carry you everywhere."

"Oki, Granny! I'll take the cookies!" Mackenzie snatched a bag of cookies and ran toward her Mom. "Mommy! Where have you been?"

Chloe crouched and cleaned the chocolate stain around Mackenzie's lips with her palm, "Mommy had some things to do. I need to talk with your Grandma first, okay?"

"Okay!"

After Mackenzie left, there were only two women in the room. They observed each other. Honestly, Chloe already knew how sophisticated Dorothea was, she wore accessories that didn't show any brand in her blue dress, but it was sure to be damn expensive. She wore a dangling diamond earring and also a fur shawl.

Dorothea only had a few wrinkles despite celebrating her 56th birthday today.

But Dorothea didn't give the same energy as Chloe. She looked at Chloe head to toe before speaking.

"Today is a special day for me, so out with it. Did you come here just to shame my son?"

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb with me. He bought you a lot of good dresses, and all you wear is that thing from years ago. That's so old-fashioned, ugh!" Dorothea fretted.

Chloe turned around for a moment. After ensuring that Mackenzie had already left, she boldly claimed, "I won't take anything from him, Dorothea."

"Him? You mean your husband, Vincent?"

"He's not my husband, not anymore," Chloe claimed. Since there was nobody around them, she didn't need to hold back. "I've decided to file for divorce. You heard me right! I'm waiting for him to give his signature on the divorce papers, so I can leave that bastard as soon as possible!"

Chloe expected Dorothea to look surprised, yell and curse at her like she was the trashiest bitch ever existed. Because Dorothea loved her sons so much, and Chloe was ready for that.

but Dorothea only chuckled, as if she just heard a joke.

"I—I'm not lying, Dorothea. I'm here to take Mackenzie with me and leave!" Chloe threatened, and yet, Dorothea only replied with another chuckle.

"Oh, Chloe Gray, you're so funny," Dorothea said. She looked straight at Chloe with a smile, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Your problems aren't my problems. You think I care who my son would marry? That I care how he runs his life? I don't give a damn if Vincent married you or whatever. I just need him to continue his late father's legacy and give me a grandchild."

"Well, obviously, Vincent is a great son and man. He maintained control and stability over all of his father's businesses, and he gave me a beautiful granddaughter," Dorothea sneered at Chloe. "Thus, your job here as a woman is done. You're not needed anymore."

"But—"

"Chloe, let me tell you something since we're both women. You aren't like those rich, educated young ladies that my friends have, nor are you a movie star that makes everyone drool," Dorothea said as she lit up a cigarette. "You're just another poor woman to a useless degree. You can't be called educated for that. So, the only thing you got that's worth something is between your thighs."

Chapter 9

Dorothea's words felt like poison for Chloe's ears. They were stated as she blew cigarette smoke towards Chloe. "If you want to live a good life, stick with my son. Kiss his feet if needed because that's the place where you can live."

…

"Even if he is a cheating bastard that ignores his family?" Chloe said. She thought Dorothea must've not known about the adultery that Vincent did for 7 years straight. Because Chloe never talked about it to anyone.

Dorothea paused for a second. She smoked again and looked away, dodging Chloe's gaze, "A powerful man like Vincent needs to wind up a bit, even from his responsibilities as a husband. One woman— especially an uninteresting woman like you won't be enough for him."

"So, he sees other women, that's his business. It's regular behavior for men, especially a successful one like him. You feel it's out of control? Just ignore it and live your life as usual," Dorothea said. She looked up and stared at the family picture, her husband— Vaughn Gray, Vincent, Vernon, and herself. "You know, even my late husband often cheated on me so many times in his life, maybe more than Vincent. Loyalty didn't matter as long as he gave me money and the luxury I needed and wanted. Isn't that the most important thing for us women? We need money to get through life"

"Even so….," Chloe said. She clenched her fist as she was holding so much anger right now. "But I don't want to live my whole life trapped with someone who doesn't love me."

"Whatever, Chloe. You're being so immature right now," Dorothea shrugged. "Vincent's given you money and a luxury life and you're whining about love. I won't have my birthday be tarnished with this conversation. Leave, now."

"You don't need to say it. I already want to leave this hellish mansion in the first place," Chloe turned around and opened the door, leaving Dorothea Gray alone as she busied herself staring at the family picture.

**

Chloe ran into the empty corridor, wiping the tears that started to stream on her cheeks. She felt so powerless as she realized that she had no support here. Even Dorothea was no different than Vincent.

'This family, they are all bastards!' Chloe cursed in her heart. 'I need to find Mackenzie and leave. This will be the last time I will entangle with this crazy family!'

Thud!

"AH!" Chloe fell to the ground after hitting something tough in front of her. She thought she had hit a wall, but when she saw expensive shoes and slim-fit black trousers right in front of her, she looked up instantly.

She saw a man with a perfect facial feature sculpted by God looking down at her with a pair of jet black pupils. He stared down at Chloe with such a deep gaze that would drown anyone in the abyss of fantasy.

"Sister-in-law! Are you alright?" he asked in his deep and somewhat husky voice. He grabbed Chloe's hand and pulled her up.

"Ah—" Chloe jolted a little when the man suddenly put his hand on her back. She could feel his hot palm because her dress exposed her back, and the man even slid his finger between the strings that tied the dress from behind.

The man smiled and put his hand away after Chloe stood still as if he just wanted to make sure that Chloe could stand on her high heels and act gentlemanly after that.

"Be careful. You're wearing high heels," he said.

…

Chloe recognized the man instantly, but that was because she saw him often on television as he was a celebrity because he dated a lot of female celebrities, and he happened to be the second son of the Gray Family-- Vincent's younger brother.

"Vernon? Vernon Phoenix Gray?"

"Yes, it's me," Vernon nodded. He smiled at Chloe, "You still remember my full name even. It's been a while, Sister-in-law."

Too long, Chloe thought she would never meet this man anymore. Ever since he had a rift with his family, this would be the first time after 10 years that he finally attended his mother's birthday party.

To her, Vernon was like a little brother when they first met, when he was 7 years old, but he suddenly left to study abroad a few days after Chloe and Vincent got married. He was never heard from again after 7 years when he finally returned to the state to start a business here, and he was 25 years old now.

Though, Chloe never talked with him even after he returned, because she was too busy dealing with her own problems.

"Vernon, why are you here?"

"Well, it's my mother's birthday. I just want to say hello and leave, cause business." Vernon replied lightly. He stared at Chloe before commenting, "But enough about me, I saw you crying after leaving my mother's room. Did something happen?"

"Ah, it's… it's nothing, just a little argument there," Chloe replied as she quickly wiped the tears at the edge of her eyes. "Then you should meet her soon. Your mother must've been waiting for you. I'll have to leave now. I have something to do."

Chloe sidestepped Vernon as she wanted to leave this hellish place as soon as possible, but Vernon suddenly grabbed her wrist, "Sister-in-law, wait!"

Chloe turned around spontaneously, "Yes?"

Vernon fished his business card out of his pocket and put it on Chloe's palm, "We've never talked even after my return to the state. I want to catch up with you, maybe you can call me later? I can always help you if you need anything, including a job."

'A job?' Chloe frowned. 'Why would he offer me a job? Did Vincent tell him about our divorce, or is my face saying it all?'

"Well, if you need anything, call my office. I'll be off to see mother now, take care, sister-in-law."

Vernon released Chloe's wrist and walked away with his confident— and somewhat arrogant gait. Chloe looked at his back until he entered Dorothea's room, and the door was closed.

"Vernon, why did he suddenly attend the party? I thought he already cut contact with everyone…." Chloe wondered. She checked the business card that Vernon handed.

Chapter 10

—

"19… 3… 1987? Isn't that…" Chloe frowned when she read the office phone number. But she shook her head quickly to dispel the thought. "No, that couldn't be. That's probably just a coincidence."

Chloe put the business card in her small purse and searched for Mackenzie. She didn't want anything to do with this goddamn family anymore, including Vernon.

She walked around the crowd, and she looked around to find her daughter, but she couldn't find her.

'No, Mackie visited her grandma a lot. She must've known her way around the mansion. There's no way she'd get kidnapped knowing she is definitely guarded by security,' Chloe thought as she kept searching.

Chloe felt her phone was vibrating from inside the purse, she checked the caller and rolled her eyes, but she still picked up the call;

—

"What now?" Chloe asked rudely. "I'm still searching for Mackie, don't bother me."

"Searching for our daughter?" the man across the phone call chuckled. "Well, she is with me. We're in my room, come and fetch her."

"… Fine, don't go anywhere. I will take Mackie and leave."

Beep.

—

"Shit, now I have to meet him in that room," Chloe cursed again. But she had no choice, so she braced herself and walked towards Vincent's old room in this mansion before they got married.

Chloe still remembered the path she needed to take because she had already visited that room often when she was in high school and university.

Chloe took a deep breath as she grabbed the door handle and opened it.

Vincent was on a sofa. He leaned on the backrest and crossed his leg as he saw Chloe open the door, "Why are you standing still like that? Come in and talk with me."

"Where's Mackie?" Chloe asked, straight to the point. She had a lot of memories in this room with Vincent, and despite it being a bunch of sweet memories, she had no intention of reminiscing about the past.

"Mackie is in another room, she's waiting for you, but I won't specify which room she is in right now," Vincent replied, knowing well that this mansion had a lot of rooms. "Come here. Let's talk for a moment before you leave."

…

Chloe advanced a few steps into the bedroom but dared not get close to Vincent.

"Close the door."

"No, I don't know what you're going to do if I close the door," Chloe said.

"HAHAHA!" Vincent laughed freely as if he had just heard a funny joke. "Chloe Gray, you know that I've fucked many women more beautiful than you. You're nothing compared to them, especially after you aged and got pregnant with Mackie! You know what they say, men aged like wine and women aged like milk."

Chloe clenched her fist again, Vincent had already said the same thing to her a lot of times in the past, but it still triggered her so much. Those kinds of words only made her question her self-worth.

"Just tell me where Mackenzie is, and I'll leave," Chloe said.

"Chloe, do you still remember this bedroom? This is the place where you and I fucked for the first time, a place where you lost your virginity," Vincent said.

"Vincent, if you're holding me here just to say bullshit like that, we can save our time and tell me where mhy daughter is."

"Oh, come on, I'm just reminiscing about the past. Have you forgotten who you were before you married me? You're the one who begged to marry you, since you've lost your virginity," Vincent got up from the chair and walked toward Chloe. "And I married you even if some of my family disagreed. You should be grateful. Don't ever forget that."

Chloe spontaneously took a step back, ensuring that she was unreachable for Vincent, "Step back, Vincent, or I will scream."

"Scream for what? This is my mansion, remember?" Vincent chuckled, but his eyes darkened as he started to lose his patience. "Do you not realize what an idiot you are, Chloe Gray? I'm being patient enough with you, especially you! Tell me what you want, and I'll get it, so you can stop being a bitch."

Chloe bit her lower lip, mustering her courage as Vincent's broad figure and scary gaze naturally scared her, "My… My decision is final, Vincent. I don't want to be with you anymore, not after you've ruined my life and our marriage that I desperately cling to. I am simply done with you."

Vincent took a deep breath. He didn't understand how a submissive woman like Chloe could become so erratic and stubborn. She used to be so accepting and tolerant about his cheating ordeal.

'She wants to learn the hard way huh?' Vincent thought as he raised an eyebrow.

"Fine. Mackie is in the next room. She already has big luggage full of her clothing and other necessities. Make sure that she is well fed, understand? Otherwise, you can always go back to me for money." Vincent looked down at Chloe, and his gaze became even more hostile, "This is the last warning, Chloe Gray. Don't think there won't be any consequences after you turned away from me."

"Anything is better to face than being with you." Chloe turned around and looked over her shoulder, "And it's Chloe Carlson for you. I don't need your surname or your money. You Grays can rot for all I care."

Chloe strutted out of the room and closed the door. She breathed in relief. She was under so much pressure under Vincent's hostile gaze.

She went to the next room and opened the door.

"MOMMY!" Mackenzie screamed.

"Mackie!" Chloe crouched as Mackenzie ran towards her, and they reunited with a warm hug.

Chloe checked on Mackenzie, hoping that nothing had happened after the whole day of not seeing her.

"I'm sorry, Mackie. Mommy had a problem yesterday, so I couldn't take you with me," Chloe said as she patted her daughter's head.

Mackenzie nodded, "It's okay, Mommy. Daddy took me to play in the mall! But I'm tired now. Can we go home, Mommy?"