They didn't talk to each other for the rest of the day. Marie had come home about two hours later and found Chloe locked in her room scoffing chocolates, hugging Mr. Cuddly. The only thing that had stayed with her for her whole life.

"We're going to have dinner together again, come on Chloe!" Marie sang as she knocked on the door. "Is everything okay?" She asked as Chloe emerged slowly.

"I'm fine." Chloe didn't even care about her lie being obvious. Today, she sat 6 seats down from where Adrien usually sat, but her attempt was failed when Gabriel insisted that she sit closer to the rest of them.

Since she had come to live with him, he had been trying to stop calling her "Miss Bourgeois" as much. It was obviously difficult for him, but it was much better being called Chloe instead. "Bourgeois" reminded her of her dad; she still didn't fully understand why he had to kick her out, but she didn't want that reminder.


"You're both awfully quiet today..." Marie broke out of her giggly chatter with Gabriel and addressed the two silent teenagers.

Adrien yawned. "I'm just tired from Fencing. And I've got homework due on Monday."

"See, Gabriel, he's worked too hard! Give him a break." Adrien looked taken aback. Nobody ever had the nerve to say that to his father, not even Nathalie. Only his mom had ever said anything along those lines. The room fell silent, until it was broken by Gabriel.

"Chloe, how about you?" The girl cleared her throat.

"I, just uh, I've been... kinda bored today." She tried to sound like she didn't care about anything.

"Well then maybe you could help me." He suggested as he took a sip of water. "After dinner I need your help... with some designs." He paused suspiciously. "It's very secret but I thought you'd have an eye for it. And that could... give us a chance to bond, as you suggested, Marie."

Marie looked very pleased with the suggestion, so Chloe smiled and accepted. She was, after all, a big fan of Gabriel's work and helping him would have been an honour at any stage. "I'd love to."


After dinner, before Chloe went to the atrium, Adrien pulled her to the side. "It was nothing, okay? Please can we forget it?"

"Why?" He obviously didn't want to talk about it, and was talking extremely hushedly considering the room was empty.

"Chloe, you know I appreciate your friendship, and we've known each other our whole lives, but you know I have a girlfriend..." he knew he couldn't use the excuse that they were the couple of superheroes to back up their love story, but that fact should have been enough. "Plus, our parents are dating! I can't date my step sister, even if I... wanted to."

The pause gave Chloe hope, but he seemed adamant. "They aren't married, they aren't even engaged." Adrien's eyes flickered to the side, and he stepped back as if he'd been caught doing something wrong. Chloe turned to follow his gaze, and saw Gabriel in the doorway.

He ushered Chloe towards the door and the atrium. While she passed Adrien, she looked back, and whispered, "I have changed though... you know that." He must have heard, but didn't show any indication of it, just staring at the ground.

"Let's go, Chloe. Adrien, please make sure to practise your piano." Gabríel announced.


"What do you think about these designs, Chloe?" The mysterious man cautiously called up some designs on his screen. She could see the inspiration from the previous villains of Paris. Strange. She shivered at the sight of the inverted black and red pattern she had once worn when she was akumatised.

"They're very interesting." She replied.

"I, uh... want to ask you something." He was looking at the floor. Gabriel wasn't usually one to be nervous...

"Okay?" She shrugged.

"I... really like your mother, Chloe. I want to propose to her."

"What?!" Everything started spinning? "Um..." she gulped, taking a step back, and lay a hand on the wall beside the painting of his ex wife.

"I won't do it unless you're okay with it. I want you to be comfortable, and know that I do love her." He was being so kind for one reason.

"Did... you ask Adrien yet?" Was all she could think.

"I will... but look at this." He pulled a small box out of his pocket. She took it and opened the lid. Inside was a beautiful diamond ring. Her mom would love it. Her mom loved him.

She ended her own world with the two words that followed.

"Do it."


Hey look, I'm not dead!