Chloe woke up the next morning feeling stuffy as always. Vernon and his bear hug were truly something that was unbearable.

Because no matter how many times Chloe struggled to get some air, Vernon would instinctively pull her deep into his embrace and bury her face inside his chest, barely giving her time to breathe. 

Chloe had to wiggle her way out until she could finally slip out and roll to the end of the bed to avoid getting bear-hugged again. She quickly got up from the bed because Vernon's hand was about to reach her again. 

She let out a relieved sigh once she was finally free from the bear. But Vernon frowned in his sleep once he realized he couldn't find his beloved woman around him anymore.

He grunted and opened his eyes slowly, "Chloe… Chloe…"

"Yes, I'm here, Vernon," Chloe replied as she opened the curtain. "You should wake up, you told me last night that you have things to do this morning."

"Ugh," Vernon grunted again. Last night was wild. Chloe could finally take three fingers of his, just one more, and then he could finally ram his cock inside her without tearing her in two. 

He thought that Chloe would wake up much later, but it seemed she had gotten used to their play, so she didn't get too exhausted after a long night. 

Chloe realized that Vernon wanted to sleep again. She sighed and approached Vernon on the bed.

She patted his cheek a few times and said, "Wake up, sleepyhead. It's time to go to work."

Vernon said nothing but suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. 

"Ah!"

Chloe lost her balance and fell right on top of Vernon's body. Vernon wrapped his arms tighter around her hips and his legs around hers, so Chloe couldn't even wiggle her way out.

"Vernon—ugh, Vernon!" Chloe tried to slap his chest, but Vernon felt nothing but a feather tickling his chest. 

"Sleep a bit more, okay? I'm tired."

"… Fine, I'll make breakfast while you're sleeping. Can you let me go now?"

"Not unless you give me a kiss," Vernon said. 

Chloe rolled her eyes. She gave Vernon a peck on his lips and chin, much to Vernon's pleasure. 

He finally released Chloe and pulled the blanket up to his chest. He fell asleep in less than ten seconds, much to Chloe's bewilderment.

'He's like a big oaf when he's relaxed,' Chloe thought. He gave him another kiss on the forehead before adding, 'Which is why I love him so much.'

Chloe washed her face in Vernon's bathroom before she left for the kitchen. She put on her apron and started making avocado toast and scrambled eggs for three. She had already asked Dorothea about the boys' food, and Dorothea said she could handle a simple breakfast for the boys. 

So today, she only needed to make three.

'Well, of course we can always tell the receptionist to bring them food everyday. Vernon even told me not to tire myself with cooking for them, but… homemade cooking is always more special than any restaurant food, right?'

Chloe finished serving three avocado toast and scrambled eggs on three plates when her daughter went upstairs. 

"Good Morning, Mommy!" Mackie greeted cheerfully in the morning. 

Chloe smiled at her and patted her head, "Morning, dear. I made you avocado toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast, you should eat it while it's warm."

"Yay! I love avocados! Thank you, Mommy!" Mackie jumped to the dining chair and started digging in.

Chloe joined in and ate slowly while watching her daughter.

"Mommy, where is Uncle?" Mackie asked innocently. 

"He's still sleeping. He's too tired, so he'll have a late breakfast," Chloe replied. She glanced at her daughter, who seemed to have something in mind. So she asked, "What's wrong, dear? Do you want to tell me something?"

Mackie didn't answer immediately. She was thinking whether it was fine for her to ask Mommy about it. Because she didn't want Mommy to keep dodging her questions.

But Diamond told her that her Mommy only needs reassurance, so she will be honest.

Thus, Mackie said, "Mommy, how long will my cousins stay with us?"

"Uh… that is… indefinite, Dear," Chloe replied hesitantly. "They're going to stay here for a long time."

"Then what about Aunt Chelsea and Gran? Won't they be mad if my cousins stay for too long?" Mackie asked. 

"T—They won't be mad, haha…."

"Mommy, don't lie," Mackie knew well that her Mommy was lying right now. It was all on her face, and she probably forgot about one thing. "Aunt Chelsea doesn't like us, she won't let the boys stay with you for a long time."

"Mackie…" Chloe was speechless, knowing that Mackie already understood how much Chelsea hated them both. She stared at her daughter, who had grown a bit taller since they left Vincent's mansion. 

The cute little girl that Chloe raised also had some seriousness in her eyes, unlike the innocent and ignorant Mackie that Chloe coddled.

'At some point, I have to tell her about everything. She doesn't have a normal family growing up, she will eventually learn about many things and that should come from me, not from other people, especially not from Vincent who can twist the truth to brainwash my daughter,' Chloe thought.

She took a deep breath to prepare herself and asked, "Dear, do you want to meet Gran?"

"Yes!" Mackie replied with glimmering doe eyes. "I want to meet Gran!"

Chloe smiled bitterly, "But you shouldn't be surprised by what happened, okay?"

Her Mommy's words stopped Mackie from getting too excited. Though she was still young, she could see the seriousness of this topic. She knew that something must've happened to her Gran.

Mackie began to worry. She thought that Gran must be sick in the hospital because she had a frail body. Her Mommy tried to hide this because she didn't want Mackie to be sad.

'But I have to show Mommy that I'm strong! I can take it!' Mackie told herself.