His jaw tightened, anger flashing in his eyes.
“So this is my crime? Being close to Althea?”
“How many times must I tell you? There’s nothing between us—just pure friendship!”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“Pure friendship? The kind where you lick feet, hug, and fuck without condoms?”
His fury snapped. He grabbed me, shoving me onto the sofa. His breath burned against the tip of my nose.
“Jealous?”
“It’s just a kiss. I’ll compensate you.”
But in my mind, the image of him kissing Althea’s toes blazed like fire.
I shoved him away. “Don’t touch me!”
He crushed me tighter.
“Don’t pretend. Isn’t this what you’ve wanted?”
“You’re mad, but we already have a child. Why fight with that idiot over me?”
The ringtone cut through our struggle. Althea again.
“Where are you, you useless son of a bitch? The enemy’s already taken the high ground! If you don’t log in now, I’ll disown you!”
Evander shot me a look, then sneered.
“You’re breaking up? I’m the one who’s been robbed.”
He picked up the phone.
“Alright, alright. Women are trouble. Give me a minute.”
The moment the call ended, he grabbed his phone and dove back into the game.
“Stop being difficult. Tomorrow I’ll take you shopping—buy whatever you want.”
I didn’t answer. My body ached too much, my stomach cramping sharply.
I whispered his name, barely a breath.
No reply.
From the bathroom came bursts of laughter—his and Althea’s voices, tangled together, mixed with the shrill chaos of the game.
Each sound pierced through me, until I could no longer tell whether it was my stomach or my heart that hurt more.
I heard Althea’s voice through the headset.
“Did you coax him? His fighting power’s soaring. You really are my boy. Keep it up—Mommy’s going to be King tonight!”
Evander laughed.
“What’s there to coax? Just buy him a few gifts. Damn, dead again? Can’t you signal?”
I stayed up all night, listening. By dawn, Evander yanked me out of bed.
“I promised you a gift, didn’t I? I won’t break my word. My dear wife, I’m not angry anymore.”
Swallowing the bile rising in my throat, I followed him to the car.
The moment the navigation turned on, Althea’s voice echoed from the speakers.
“Boy, turn left ahead. Go straight. Damn it, you missed again! You’re getting hammered by mama!”
My stomach churned. He caught my expression and smirked.
“Relax. I lost a game to that idiot, so I have to use his voice pack for a month. Almost over. Be patient.”