The health club reserved a private room for me where I can drink coffee and receive treatments.
I have some distinguished patients who are personally cared for by me in this room.
As I opened the door, I found Emma in a loose robe enjoying a foot massage. Dave, too, was relaxed, even holding my tobacco pipe, with my gifted Pu-erh coffee on the table.
"James, are you sick?" Emma confronted me, "You actually came here. Do you not trust me that much?"
"Now you see, I'm just here with Dave for a foot massage. We did nothing wrong!"
When Emma saw me, there was still panic in her eyes, but it was immediately replaced by her arrogance.
I had no time for arguments, "Your father is dying in the hospital. He wants to see you one last time. If you don't want to regret it, come with me now."
Dave sneered, "Really, James? Your father-in-law treats you like his own son, and you curse him out of jealousy, don't you?"
Emma, moved by my words, suddenly pointed towards the door, "Get out. Don't embarrass me here!"
I took a deep breath, holding back the urge to lash out as I knew this woman could lose her sense once slighted, which could prevent her father from seeing her one last time. I gave her a deep look, knelt before her and said, "Emma, we've been married for years. You know how proud I am. Today, I kneel to prove I'm not lying. Come with me."
Seeing my gesture, Emma calmed down significantly and stood up. However, Dave interjected, "James, can't you come up with a better lie? Her father called her an hour ago asking what she wanted for dinner, how can he be dying?"
"People got drunk at the market and attacked, he defended them and got stabbed. It's only my acupuncture that's keeping him alive!" I explained.
I looked at her and said, "Emma, if you leave with me now, I'm even willing to divorce you so you can be with Dave openly. Isn't that enough?"
"What are you talking about? When did I say I wanted a divorce? I've told you many times, Dave and I are just old friends. It's not what you think," Emma replied, her panic intensifying.
"Just come with me now, no matter what you say, I'll agree," I pressed.
"Emma, you should go with him. He's even threatening you with divorce. I don't want to be the one breaking up your marriage, even though I always felt he didn't deserve you," Dave suddenly suggested.