Chapter 19 Just Hold Her Hand Already
Finished
Chloe’s face fell. She lowered her head apologetically, her soft little face full of fear. “I’m sorry, Marvin. I’ve caused you trouble. You should go home. I can do this on my own.”
Marvin was caught off guard by her tearful look. He clicked his tongue. “Oh, please! With your level of intelligence, who knows where you’d end up if I left you alone!”
He turned and walked into the mall. “Come on!”
Chloe quickly shuffled after him on her short legs. The moment they stepped inside, the dazzling interior of the mall unfolded before her.
Her eyes lit up instantly, her mouth falling open in awe.
Was this where they sold clothes? The places she’d gone with her mom were all tiny, crowded alleys packed with people—not
this nice!
It was so beautiful! The floors were shiny enough to reflect her face!
Chloe stared at her reflection, then glanced down at her scuffed, grimy little shoes. Feeling a bit self–conscious, she looked at Marvin.
Without thinking, she put a little more space between them.
Marvin noticed she wasn’t keeping up. When he turned around, he saw Chloe walking carefully with her head bowed, like a droopy little puppy.
Her whole vibe was just… down. He let out an annoyed huff and grabbed her. “What are you doing?”
Chloe flinched, thinking he was about to hit her. She raised her hands quickly. “Mom said I had to keep my distance when we’re out, or I’d embarrass her. I’m sorry, Marvin! I shouldn’t walk so close to you!”
Her voice was trembling.
Marvin’s temper flared, but the moment he heard that, his expression shifted slightly. “Your mom wouldn’t let you walk next to her?”
When he was little, he wasn’t even allowed to be out of his mom’s sight. Why would her mom treat her like that?
Chloe shivered, scared of being hit. “I’m sorry, Marvin. Just tell me the rules–I’ll follow them. Please say it again.”
Something in Marvin’s chest clenched. Every scolding he’d meant to give her died on his tongue. He snapped instead. “The rule is you stay right next to me! Don’t leave my sight–understand?”
Chloe flinched. “I understand.”
Marvin grunted.
Afraid he was still mad, Chloe timidly rugged on the corner of his shirt. “I’m sorry. Marvin. I just… I thought I was too dirty to walk beside you.”
Marvin looked at her like she was ridiculous. “What the heck does your mom say to you all day? Why are you so insecure?”
Just hearing the word “mom” made Chloe’s nose sting. She mumbled, “Mom said I was a mistake… and mistakes don’t
deserve a good life
Marvin froze. All the anger drained from his face. This little thing she’s been growing up with that kind of treatment?
His mom praised him and his brothers eight hundred times a day.
Said he was handsome, smart, had personality-
Chloe saw he wasn’t talking and grew even more anxious. She gently tugged his sleeve again. “Please don’t be mad, Marvin.
Chapter 19 Just Hold Her Hand Already
Chloe won’t do it again.”
Marvin’s mouth twitched. He awkwardly looked at her tiny hand, then turned his head, acting aloof. “I’m not mad.”
Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re not mad! I promise–I’ll never try to avoid you again!”
Marvin gave her a sideways glance and kept walking.
Chloe scrambled to keep up with her stubby legs.
He walked fast, and her little legs could barely keep pace.
Marvin casually slowed down.
Chloe quickly ran up beside him, sneaking a peek at his face as she walked alongside him.
People passing by gasped aloud.
“Oh my, that little girl is adorablet”
Her brother’s gorgeous too! How do siblings end up this good–looking?”
“They look so much alike!”
“Ugh, I want a daughter now! How can she be this cute?”
“She looks kind of familiar…”
“She’s sooo cute! And she has long hair too!”
Chloe looked around in confusion. Were they talking about me?
She never heard compliments like that when she was with her mom.
Finished
Most people just pointed and whispered, saying she was the daughter of a prostitute and a murderer; that she’d grow up to be just as bad. Some said she was pitiful.
But compliments? Never. Her lips lifted without her realizing, and she pressed them together in a quiet, secret smile, trying not to let anyone see.
Marvin caught her out of the corner of his eye. She was smiling without a sound, eyes curved, dimples appearing faintly at the comers of her mouth. Her smile was so sweet.
His lips twitched too, then he quickly furrowed his brows and forced it back down. Just a little cute, that’s all! It’s nothing!
He glanced sideways at Chloe, slightly annoyed.
Though he didn’t even know why he was annoyed. Maybe because right now, he kind of wanted to hold her hand.
He pointed to a kids‘ clothing store he visited often. “Go wait for me over there. I need to use the bathroom. And hold your head up high, got it? You better look confident–if I find out you embarrassed me in any way, I swear I’ll smack you
