Just As We Were Married (COMPLETED)

Chapter Seventeen

Nathaniel was barely around these days.

Marinette felt relieved.

She twirled her ring around her finger as she stared at the wall.

"You know, Marinette, I've never paid attention to the ring on your finger," Juleka stated, breaking Marinette away from her thoughts, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Marinette held her hand out to Chloe and Juleka and they looked at it with wide eyes.

"It's so pretty,"  They cooed in unison. Marinette cracked a small smile before placing her hand back in her lap. She then studied Chloe.

"Chloe, are you gonna tell us what Nathaniel did to you yesterday?" Marinette asked softly and the smile dropped the blonde's face.

"He just hit me and whipped me. That's about it," Chloe muttered, staring down at her bruised hands. "He did it because of what I did before he brought me here."

Juleka hesitated, but asked anyway, "What did you do?"

"I threatened to rat him and Lila out to the Agrestes," Chloe chuckled dryly. "I shouldn't have said anything! I should've kept my mouth shut until I left that damn place! Maybe Marinette wouldn't be here suffering right now! None of us would be here and Nathaniel and Lila would be at the wrath of the higher ups!"

Chloe's eyes welled up with tears and she buried her face into her hands.

Marinette wrapped her arms around the crying blonde and drew her into a hug. "It's oka-"

"No it's not!" Chloe exclaimed, buring her face into Marinette's shoulder. "If I had just used my brain when I was supposed to none of us would be here! I always open my big mouth at the wrong moments and never for the right reasons!"

Marinette went silent as Chloe shook in her arms.

"It's not your fault. Nathaniel is just as sick bastard and he would've found a way to shut you up about my kidnapping anyway. You weren't the one to kidnap me. Yeah, you could have done something to prevent it, but you just weren't thinking and I won't hold it over your head. It's okay," Marinette said, holding her tighter. Chloe cried harder, clutching onto the princess.

Marinette and Juleka shared a look when Chloe started to calm down.

Chloe sniffed and sat straight  letting Marinette go in the process. "How are you so forgiving?"

Marinette shrugged, "It's better to forgive and to never forget rather to hold a life long grudge that might slowly kill you."

"Agreed," Juleka jumped in, making Chloe smile.

"I won't stay here forever, Chloe," Marinette gave her a look. "We'll get out of here. I'm sure Adrien's looking for me right now and I'll try my best to stay sane. Nathaniel needs to suffer for his crimes and Adrien will make sure he does just that."

* * *

Lila grinned as she saw the large castle. She was so happy for her date with Adrien, she was practically glowing.

The driver parked in front of the castle and notified her that they have reached their destination. Lila took a deep breath and studied her outfit.

She wore a tight, red crop top and black skinny jeans, a black blazer accompanying the outfit. Adrien had told her to dress casually and she did just that.

The driver rounded the car and opened the door for her then helped her out. The bottom of Lila's blank heels met the gravel and she started to walk up the stairs of the castle. At the large doors stood a petite maid with blonde hair.