I only learned to cook three years ago.
It was always Sebastian who cooked before he returned to the Chesson residence. He used to say that my hands were meant to heal people, and were too precious to be scarred by cooking oil. He said he loved the scent of herbs on me and didn’t want me smelling like grease.
And now, he wanted me to cook for Roxanne.
My chest felt tight. It was like I couldn’t breathe. I opened my mouth and sucked in a deep breath.
As I looked at Roxanne and Sebastian, wrapped around each other, I smiled and said, “Okay.”
I still remembered how he carried me out of a burning building on his back 12 years ago. But the moment I lit the stove in the kitchen, whatever affection remained went up in flames, too.
He leaned against the doorframe and said apologetically, “Sorry. Rox’s has always had a poor appetite, but she really likes your cooking.”
My hands froze for a moment. My arm, which had just begun to recover, was starting to ache. I couldn’t believe that he was apologizing to his wife for another woman.
Sebastian stepped closer, gently brushing my hair back. “Hadn’t you always wanted to visit Newland? I’ll take you at the end of the month.”
Men always seemed nicer when they’d done something wrong. I remembered that. In the early years of our marriage, when Sebastian and I had no money, we dreamed about traveling together.
Then, when we finally had money, he always said that he was too busy. But over the past three years, he’d traveled the world with Roxanne, his secretary.
I didn’t say anything for a long while. Eventually, I just nodded.
That trip was a promise between me and the man who once loved me. I wanted to see it through. But once again, he let me down.
…
I waited at the gate until the plane took off. It was only then that he called me.
“Tess, Rox’s scared of thunder. I have to stay with her. We’ll go to Newland next time, okay?”
I could hear Roxanne’s voice in the background, saying, “Mr. Chesson, where did you put the pads you bought me?”
He chuckled. “Silly woman, they’re in the cabinet in the bathroom.”
I heard the shuffle of slippers, then the sound of a loud smacking kiss. Roxanne giggled. “A kiss to thank my Mr. Chesson!”
Sebastian sounded helpless as he said, “You’re not a kid anymore. So stop acting like one. Go change. I’ll make you some lemon tea.”
I walked out of the airport into the downpour, dragging my suitcase behind me, letting the rain soak me to the bone.
My voice sounded distant and cold, like raindrops tapping on a stone surface. “I got it.”
