A while later.
A message from Melanie lit up my phone: Boyd took a fall just now. I'm worried something might be wrong, so I'll stay with him tonight.
This wasn't the first time.
Every weekend, without fail, Boyd would suddenly feel unwell here or uncomfortable there, clinging to Melanie and refusing to let her go.
And Melanie always said yes.
The next morning.
Sylvia and I were eating breakfast.
The moment Melanie stepped out of the bedroom, her brow furrowed. "Where's mine and Boyd's?"
"You want to eat, make it yourself."
I didn't even look up.
What?
Melanie's temper flared. She slammed her palm on the table. "You've completely lost your mind over that woman."
"Ignoring your own wife for some stranger."
Sylvia scrambled to her feet. "I'm sorry, Melanie. Here, take mine."
She picked up her untouched bowl of soup noodles and held it out.
"Get lost!"
Melanie swatted the bowl out of her hands.
"Ah!"
Scalding broth splashed across Sylvia's body.
The skin on her arms turned an angry red almost instantly.
"Melanie."
"What is wrong with you? Sylvia offered you her food out of kindness, and you knock it all over her?"
I berated Melanie while digging ice out of the freezer to press against Sylvia's burns.
Melanie stood frozen, watching the scene.
A vein throbbed at her temple. She screamed, "Valentine, listen to me."
"It's either her or me in this house."
"Pick one!"
I'd been this hysterical once, too.
But Melanie, secure in how much I loved her, had barely reacted. She'd said, "Can you grow up? You think I can't survive without you?"
Now I felt about the same level of nothing.
Before I could respond, Boyd wheeled himself out of the bedroom.
"Valentine, Melanie, are you two fighting because of me again?"
"If I'm the reason you end up divorced, I'll never forgive myself."
"Maybe I should just leave."
His face was a picture of guilt.
On the surface, he seemed concerned for both of us. In reality, he was stoking the fire.
"Boyd, this has nothing to do with you. It's all because this man is too petty."
Melanie comforted Boyd with a few words, then turned a cold gaze on me.
"Boyd just reminded me. If you insist on going against me, then let's get divorced."
"I'll have the papers drawn up today."
And with that,
she pushed Boyd's wheelchair toward the door, calling out smugly, "Come on, let's go have a nice dinner out."
"Melanie, please don't misunderstand. There's really nothing between me and Valentine."