Chapter 6
His voice was as gentle as it used to be, just like every other time he and Lilian had crossed the line. He’d always use sweet talk to coax me.
Once, I was so furious I dragged him toward the Courthouse.
Yet, he became unusually tender, holding me close and whispering apologies, swearing he’d turn over a new leaf.
1:|:|:| 1:|:
I was so foolish back then that I believed his lies and dropped the idea of divorce.
He saw that I was reluctant to give up our relationship, so he used my love to repeatedly test my limits.
But not this time; I wouldn’t look back.
Jeremy, seeing my silence, misinterpreted it as hesitation. His face flushed as he moved closer, whispering, “Okay, you’ve always wanted me home, right? I’ll stay for a few days and keep you company…
I sneered and stepped back, creating distance between us.
“No, thanks. Go ahead and start a family with Lilian. Didn’t you say you wanted a child? I’ll grant your wish.”
Jeremy’s eyes widened, and he wanted to say something but found himself speechless.
Lilian’s eyes flashed with a hint of triumph, but realizing Jeremy seemed to be wavering, she jumped in to play peacemaker.
“Rosie, Jeremy and I are just colleagues. Where would a child come
from? Why don’t we sit down and talk calmly? There must be a better
solution.”
As she spoke, he reached for my arm.
I frowned and pulled back, avoiding his touch.
Unexpectedly, Lilian seized the chance, grabbed my wrist, and yanked me toward her, throwing herself to the floor.
Her head hit the coffee table with a muffled thud.
“Lilian! Are you okay?”
Jeremy quickly dropped to his knees to check on her.
Lilian covered her forehead, her face contorted in pain.
“It’s fine, Jeremy, don’t blame Rosie. She probably didn’t do it on purpose.”
Jeremy glared at me and shouted, “Rosie, what’s wrong with you? You knew Lilian wasn’t feeling well, but you pushed her!
“You just look down on her for being from the countryside and don’t want her to touch you, right?”
Jeremy’s mother moved to help Lilian onto the sofa, asking worriedly, “Lilian, are you okay? How badly did you hit your head?”
Jeremy sighed and began explaining Lilian’s past to his parents, his eyes filled with pity.
Jeremy’s mother patted Lilian’s hand, saying tearfully, “You’re a good child. If Rosie were only more like you, I’d have no worries.”
“Looking after family and treating Rosie well is my duty,” Lilian
murmured humbly.
Their hypocrisy disgusted me.
“Lilian, can you move? We need to get you to the hospital for a check–up, just in case there are any problems.”
Jeremy carefully helped Lilian out, and his parents followed them.
They ignored me, acting as if they were still furious with me.
That was fine; it saved me more trouble.
I packed my luggage and headed to the airport, ready to fly to my first destination, a small seaside town.
Just as the flight attendant reminded me to turn off my phone, I received a message from Jeremy.
“Lilian is fine. Let’s talk when I get home.”
