5. Numb

Cigarette smoke drifted slowly in the afternoon air.

Ethan stood on the side terrace of the house, his back leaning against a pillar. One hand was tucked into his trouser pocket, while the other held a cigarette that was already half-burned. His gaze was fixed straight ahead—empty, yet turbulent.

“Forget that night,” she had said coldly. “Pretend we never did it.”

Liora opened the door.

But before she truly left, she turned halfway.

“And never think that I forgive you,” she continued softly but sharply. “Because you took something most precious from me.”

The door closed.

He did not know since when, but his chest felt uncomfortable. Liora’s words from a few minutes ago began to haunt his mind.

“Shit,” he cursed under his breath. “Why do I keep thinking about her, when what happened was her own will?” Ethan rubbed his face roughly.

It was not anger. Nor was it mere irritation. But his heart felt unsettled.

More like disturbed. Soon after, Ethan exhaled the smoke slowly, his jaw tightening.

“Liora … why did it have to be you, my sister-in-law?”

That face appeared again without permission—the face that looked down, trembling hands, eyes trying to appear strong despite being clearly wounded.

Ethan’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard footsteps approaching.

“Brother?” Daren called out. “Why do you look restless? Is something wrong?”

Ethan did not turn immediately when he heard Daren’s voice. He stubbed out his cigarette in a metal ashtray, then glanced sideways.

“Nothing. I just want to be alone,” Ethan replied casually, because it was impossible for him to talk about Liora, who was, in fact, his brother’s wife.

“I thought you had problems at the office. Honestly, these past few days—more precisely, this past month—I’ve also had a lot of problems at work,” Daren confessed.

“Really?” Ethan began to take interest.

Both of Ethan’s hands slipped into his trouser pockets as he waited for Daren to talk about the company.

“Actually, my company has—”

Daren’s sentence stopped when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, a name he knew very well, then stepped slightly away from his brother.

“Yes?” Daren’s voice turned more serious.

Silence for a few seconds.

“What?” his brows furrowed. “You’re sick?”

The tone was not overly panicked, but enough to make Ethan glance at him.

“Work can be postponed,” Daren continued. “Don’t go anywhere for now,”

he rubbed the back of his neck anxiously.

“Alright. I’ll come there.”

The call ended.

Daren turned to Ethan. “Brother, I have to go. Something urgent came up,” Daren said.

“Now?” Ethan asked flatly.

“Yes. It’s important,” Daren said convincingly.

Ethan’s gaze sharpened for a moment, but he chose not to care.

“Hm, go,” Ethan replied coldly.

Daren nodded, then hurried inside the house to get his car keys. Near the stairs, Liora saw Daren rushing, and at that moment, curiosity began to creep into her mind.

“Why are you in such a hurry? Do you have a problem?” Liora asked, wanting to know, even though she had already guessed that it must be related to Camelia.

“There’s no problem. I just have to go to an important meeting. My client just contacted me and is already waiting at a café,” Daren lied. “I’ll get my car keys from the bedroom. Keep Brother Ethan and your sister-in-law company, okay.”

After saying that, Daren ran to the bedroom. Liora could only stare at her husband’s back sharply.

“You’re lying, Daren. I’m sure the person you’re meeting is not a client, but Camelia, right?” Liora clenched both her fists.

A few minutes later, the sound of an engine faded from the yard.

Ethan went back inside. He felt the house was quiet. And at times like this, his mind was once again filled with a single name—the one he should not be thinking about.

“Control yourself, Ethan!” he reminded himself.

Ethan let out a long breath, clenching his jaw. Not long after, he saw the woman who had begun to occupy his thoughts walking up the stairs.

“Why does she look sad and angry? Is this related to what I did in the storage room earlier? Is that why she’s upset?” Ethan thought.

Inside the second-floor bedroom, Liora closed the door slowly.

She did not come down to see Ethan and Stevani off. It was pointless. Daren was not there either. And she had no desire at all to face that man again—not today.

“It’s better if I just sleep, so I can forget everything,” Liora dropped herself onto the bed. She tried to lie down but stopped herself.

Her heart suddenly recalled the man who had dared to kiss her. Liora held her lower lip, remembering how hard she had bitten Ethan’s lip.

“It must hurt so much. Well, it’s his own fault for kissing me,” Liora muttered awkwardly, annoyed at the same time.

She sat on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees. That narrow storage room still felt close—too close. Just as she tried to steady her breathing, the sound of a car engine echoed from below.

Liora stood up, walked a few steps, then stopped near the window. She did not know what impulse drove her, but she peeked down below.

Ethan stood beside his black car. Stevani had already gotten in, but the man had yet to follow. He stood still, looking up at the house—exactly toward the second floor.

Thump!

Liora’s heart pounded hard.

That gaze was directed at her.

“Why is he looking at me like that? Does he still think I’m a seductive woman?” she monologued inwardly.

Meanwhile, Ethan kept staring at Liora until the woman hid herself after hearing Stevani’s voice.

“Dear, why are you still standing there? Come on, get in. Let’s go home now,” Stevani followed her husband’s line of sight, but she did not see anything.

Her heart grew curious.

“What is Ethan doing? Is he looking for Liora, his sister-in-law?” Stevani guessed silently.

Ethan snapped back to reality. He opened the door and got in without saying anything. The car drove away.

Only then did Liora dare to move after the yard fell silent again.

Afternoon turned into dusk.

In the dining room, Martina once again showed her sour expression. As soon as she saw Liora pass by carrying a glass of water, the woman spoke loudly.

“You really have no shame.”

Liora’s steps stopped.

“You know there are guests, yet you chose to sleep instead,” Martina continued sharply. “Useless woman. I’m sure it won’t be long before Daren throws you away!”

Liora ignored her, too lazy to argue. Especially responding to what she considered a crazy mother-in-law. She continued walking, dismissing her harsh words.

Feeling ignored, Martina grew even more annoyed. “Look at Stevani. The way she speaks, her attitude. She knows how to carry herself as a wife, especially toward her in-laws. Very different from you, who have no sense at all!”

Liora’s fingers tightened around the glass.

“Are you satisfied now? If so, I’m going back to my room,” Liora said coldly, sarcastic.

“You! How dare you!” Martina snorted and walked away.

Once alone, Liora clenched her fists. Her chest burned—aching and humiliated. But she tried to hold it in.

“Be patient. I have to be patient,” Liora encouraged herself, then returned to her room.

As soon as she entered and dropped her body onto the bed,

her phone vibrated.

A new notification appeared. Liora stared at the screen for a long time before opening it.

A photo of flowers appeared—red roses with a neat ribbon. On top of them was a small card with a short but meaningful message.

“Get well soon, my dear. I will always be by your side.”

Liora let out a soft, bitter laugh.

“So this is your client, Daren?” she muttered.

Liora did not look sad now. She did not cry either.

Because her heart had gone numb.

And there was something darker than that.

Her gaze sharpened, as a desire for revenge against the two of them flickered within her.