CROSSING LINES

CHAPTER 16

Chloe felt a deep sense of calm as the train glided through the rolling hills toward Bristol. Jobe sat beside her, his hand entwined with hers, as they prepared for a short holiday at her parents' estate. The past few months had been a whirlwind—between training, matches, and her recent relationship with Jobe becoming public, Chloe hadn't had much time to slow down. But now, she was looking forward to spending a few weeks with her family in the countryside.

The Hervey estate was as grand as she remembered—lush, sprawling gardens and the stately manor standing tall against the sky.

 As the car pulled up, the familiar sight of her parents waiting on the steps made Chloe's heart swell with affection. It felt good to be back home.

Her father, the Duke of Bristol, greeted them first, wrapping Chloe in a warm hug. "Welcome home, darling," he said with a smile, his voice deep with affection.

Her mother, the Duchess, followed, her eyes lighting up when she saw Jobe. "Jobe welcome," she said, going in for a hug with a gracious smile. "We've heard so much about you now that you're official."

Jobe hugged her and shook her father's hand, trying to hide his nervousness. "It's nice to see you both again."

Chloe glanced at her parents, their smiles full of warmth and welcome. She had been a little nervous about introducing Jobe to them as her boyfriend since they knew him as her close friend, but all her worries faded as she saw how genuinely happy they were for her.

The next few days were peaceful and filled with laughter. Chloe cherished every moment she spent with her parents, but her time with her mother stood out the most. 

They would take long walks in the garden, her mother pointing out flowers and herbs she'd planted herself. Chloe listened, soaking in every word, feeling closer to her than ever before.

One afternoon, as they sat by the lake sipping tea, her mother turned to her with a thoughtful expression. "You know, Chloe," she began, her voice soft. "I've waited so long to have you back in my life. It means everything to me."

Chloe smiled, reaching out to squeeze her mother's hand. "I feel the same way, Mum. I'm so happy to be here."

They spent hours like that—talking about life, love, and Chloe's career. Her mother asked about the pressures of being a football star and dating someone like Jobe, and Chloe found herself opening up in ways she hadn't before. They laughed, shared stories, and even talked about Chloe's childhood in France. It felt like healing, reconnecting with her roots.

Jobe stayed with Chloe for a week, soaking in the tranquil life at the estate before he had to head back to Sunderland for the new season. On the last night, they sat by the fire in the living room, her parents having gone to bed early.

"I'm going to miss this," Jobe said, his voice low. "It's been a perfect break."

Chloe smiled, snuggling closer to him. "I'll miss you, too."

He tilted her chin up, planting a soft kiss on her lips. "I'll call every day. You know that, right?"

"Promise?"

"Promise," Jobe said, sealing the promise with another kiss. "Now go get some sleep before your mum thinks I'm keeping you up too late."

The next morning, after one last breakfast with her family, Jobe hugged her tightly before stepping into the car. "I'll see you soon, Clo," he whispered. "Take care of yourself."

Chloe waved as the car pulled away, her heart full but heavy with the sting of goodbye.

With Jobe gone, Chloe spent more time with her parents, finding comfort in their company. One evening, as they sat together after dinner, she brought up a question that had been on her mind for a while.

"Mum, Dad... do I have any siblings?" she asked cautiously, her eyes scanning their faces.

Her mother exchanged a glance with the Duke before nodding. "You do, Chloe. You have a sister—Fiona."

Chloe's breath caught. "Fiona?"

"Yes," her father chimed in. "She's married to a wonderful man, Mateo. They live abroad most of the time, but they'll be visiting soon. We were hoping you'd meet her."

Chloe's mind raced. A sister—another piece of her family she hadn't known. "I'd love that," she said softly. "I can't wait to meet her."

Toward the end of her stay, Chloe was invited to a charity event hosted in Bristol. It was a formal event, and it marked her first official appearance as a member of the Hervey family. 

She wore a sleek, elegant dress, her nerves fluttering as she stood by her parents' side.

As they walked into the hall, photographers snapped photos, and whispers filled the air. 

The press had caught wind of her presence—and the fact that she wasn't just Chloe Mbappé, football star, but Lady Chloe Hervey, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Bristol.

She smiled politely for the cameras, feeling the weight of her title, but also the pride of carrying her family's name.

BristolTimes Instagram Post

BristolTimes Instagram Post: BREAKING: Lady Chloe Hervey, formerly known as Chloe Mbappé, football superstar and girlfriend to Jobe Bellingham, has been revealed as the daughter of the Duke of Bristol. The footballer is officially part of the British aristocracy!

liked by 13.2million people

footballfanz123 Wait, what?! Is Chloe actually a Lady? No way.

jude_bellingham Royalty and a baller. Respect, sis. 😎👑

jobebellingham My girl's got class. ❤️

=pina  Royal flex, love it. 💫

hatersgonnahate33 Ugh, she's so overrated. Footballer turned royal... seriously?

love4footballfans  Royal blood and skill on the pitch. No one can top that.

toomanytitles So tired of seeing her face everywhere. She's just famous because of her connections.

Chloe spent the last few days of her holiday soaking in the peacefulness of her parents' home. They had gone for walks, hosted intimate dinners, and had long conversations by the fire.

 For the first time in a long time, Chloe felt grounded—anchored by her family, her history, and the love she had rediscovered.

When her three-week break finally came to an end, Chloe hugged her parents tightly. "I'll come back soon," she promised. "And next time, I'll meet Fiona."

"We'll be waiting," her mother said with a smile, holding Chloe close. "We're so proud of you, darling. Always remember that."

Chloe's time in Bristol was one of healing and discovery. She had not only introduced Jobe to her parents as her boyfriend, but she had grown closer to them, found a new bond with her mother, and learned that she had a sister.

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