"Listen to me; you must never argue with your husband. A wife should be more understanding. He works so hard outside; it’s not easy for him! Do you hear me?"
I opened my mouth to tell her about the divorce, but before I could, she broke into a violent fit of coughing.
I swallowed my words.
"My health is getting worse and worse. Looks like I’ll be joining your father soon."
We spoke for a while before I set my phone down. I walked out onto the balcony, letting the cold night air bite at my skin. Sleep never came.
By morning, Ophelia arrived.
When I opened the door, the first thing I saw was the dress she had on—one I had custom-made for myself.
"Good morning, Sister Clara!"
Following my gaze, she glanced down at the dress, then smiled even more smugly.
"You have such great taste, Sister Clara. This dress is beautiful. I casually mentioned liking it and Nathaniel handed it right over."
Faced with her mockery, I saw no reason to be polite.
"When it was finished, I realized it looked awful and planned to throw it out. I never expected him to pick it up. Thanks for saving me the trouble."
Her smile stiffened, then darkened into something sharp and venomous.
"But there’s one thing you can’t bear to throw away—Nathaniel."
She let out a slow, taunting laugh.
"Seven years, Clara. Every night since I came back, he’s been in my bed. He’s practically my husband now."
"But the funny thing is…" She leaned in slightly, her voice dipping into something sickly sweet. "Even when he holds me at night, I’m thinking of another man."
"Even if he's trash, I won’t let you have him, not even as scraps. I’d rather see your child mocked as a bastard."
At that moment, I finally understood Ophelia wasn’t in love with Nathaniel. She was only toying with him.
If Nathaniel hadn’t cast Ophelia aside, there had to be something more to it, something to gain.
Just as I was about to lash out, Nathaniel strolled in. Without a hint of concern for my presence, he pulled Ophelia into his arms and kissed her.
"Ophelia, you're here."
The two of them exchanged sweet whispers, their words laced with affection. I thought I would be burning with rage, but instead, I felt nothing. My heart was as still as a stagnant pond.
After dropping Aurelia off at kindergarten, I headed to the office.
But all day, my eye twitched. Restlessness gnawed at me, unease wrapping around my chest like a vice.