I hardly needed to think and was ready to refuse … but suddenly, the candles in front of the shrine flickered. So I smiled faintly and changed my mind.
“Okay.”
Leo was more talkative than before. His small movements also became more frequent.
While talking about a romantic trip with Kelly in Turkey last month, he used his fingers to apply her own lip balm to her lips while waiting for the traffic light.
“Every fall and winter, I have to remind you to use this. Last time, when I kissed you a bit too hard, it bled. When will you learn?”
Kelly swatted his hand away, as if a bit irritated. “Stop fooling around.”
"Ah, Honey. I completely forgot about it. Mac, you don't mind it, right? Kelly and I always act like this."
I interrupted him with extreme patience. “Of course not.”
“I've already seen the two of you rolling in bed back then. Why would I mind something this mild now?”
Silence filled the car.
Finally ... it’s quiet.
I looked at the scenery along the way and remembered that if my mother were still there, she would be amazed by the changes now.
Back then, when my father insisted on divorcing my mother for Emily, it almost drove her insane.
And the fact that I married Kelly behind her back—killed her.
At first, I hated my father and Emily because they betrayed my mother and forced her to change from an invincible woman to a resentful woman who made a fuss about a trivial matter in a short period of time.
Time seemed to pass on her with extra force, taking away her vitality bit by bit.
Later, I hated myself.
After a heartbreaking funeral for my mother, I went south alone during what should have been my honeymoon and stayed for a month.
During that time, I never once resented Kelly. After all, she was a pearl that had been covered with dust. A child who was burdened by a tragic fate but powerless to change it.
Before leaving, I entrusted Leo to care for her.
And he did an excellent job. In our newlywed apartment we shared, he cooked with practiced efficiency. He prepared five dishes and a soup that looked absolutely exquisite.
I was sincerely grateful to him.
That year, the bond between the three of us grew stronger than ever.