I carefully trimmed Ivan's fingernails on his hands and feet. I'm pleased that even though he's not entirely comfortable with me, he allowed me to do it. He remained quiet, only occasionally stealing glances in my direction.
"There we go, all finished," I said with a smile. It's his third day in the hospital, and he may be discharged tomorrow. He gazed at me unwaveringly, prompting me to divert my eyes."Um, are you hungry?" I inquired.He responded by shaking his head."Do you want me to peel some fruit for you?" I asked, and he nodded slowly as if speech was a challenge for him.I peeled an apple and an orange, placing them in a bowl on the bedside table for him.As I went back to the sofa to organize some mess, he called for my attention."Aren't you going to feed me?" he asked, furrowing his brow."Your hands are improving, aren't they?" I replied."It still hurts!" he complained. I wasn't certain if he was being truthful, but despite that, I approached him.To be honest, I nearly left last night. Maureen came over once again while I was asleep. It made me feel like my husband was betraying me.However, even though I am the legitimate spouse, I couldn't stop them because they might just remind me of my role in his life. So now, I can't comprehend his melodrama and his need for me to feed him. Perhaps he felt guilty about his infidelity, so he pretended to be affectionate with me.I moved closer to him and fed him slices of apple."Tell me, what kind of husband am I?" he asked unexpectedly."Huh?" I pondered. I had no pleasant memories from our year together, so I wasn't sure if I should answer his question."Moody. Cold. Distant," I replied candidly.Ivan remained silent for a moment.I continued, "In love with someone else.""What kind of wife are you?" he asked after a pause."I don't know. Only you can answer that," I replied."How did you endure my moodiness, coldness, and being distant from you?" Ivan inquired."I don't know, Ivan. I just let the days pass by, and it didn't even occur to me that a whole year had gone by. Why did you ask?" I continued to feed him."I was just curious. Why didn't you leave me?"I chuckled, saying, "I must be a masochist. Instead of leaving you despite how you treated me, I drew closer to you." I smiled, but it wasn't a sweet one. There was sadness in my eyes, and even though he had amnesia, I knew he could sense the bitterness and sorrow there. After all, he just forgot, but he wasn't blind."You know, honestly, it pains me that even with amnesia, I'm the only one you forgot, your wife," I paused for a moment to compose myself. I was trembling and afraid that I wouldn't be able to hold back my tears much longer.I took a deep breath and forced a smile."Rest now. You need to regain your strength," I advised him. I carried the bowl to the sink, aware of his continued observation, keeping myself occupied, and avoiding seeing pity in his expression or eliciting sympathy from him.That night, Maureen visited again. I stayed awake and didn't pretend to be asleep."I'll step out for a while," I declared. It was best to leave, so I wouldn't overhear their conversation.I went outside to get some fresh air, sitting on a bench while counting the stars in the sky to pass the time.It was midnight when I returned to the room. Maureen was still there, sitting beside Ivan on the bed. Even with the door open, she didn't make any effort to distance herself from my husband.She had the audacity. It felt as if I were the one experiencing shame.I avoided making eye contact with them and went straight to the bathroom. When I returned, I headed for the sofa and lay down. I closed my eyes and tried to rest, even though I was grappling with the overwhelming emotions that were on the brink of breaking my heart. The pain was sharp, as their actions were a blatant betrayal of my trust.Until I heard the door open, I thought it was just the doctor or nurse who had arrived. However, I then heard the angry voices of Ivan's parents."What are you doing here?!" my mother-in-law shouted."You shameless people! You didn't even respect Myla!""You have some nerve! You're disgusting!"As Mom uttered those words, tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't stop myself from crying. I just buried myself under the blanket and continued to weep."Get out! Leave this place!""They're going to break up anyway," Maureen reasoned."Who said they were going to break up? That will never happen!""Ivan and I made a deal; he'll break up with Myla after they've been together for a year. Your son loves me, not that orphan!"I heard the loud slap that my mother-in-law gave Maureen."Mom!" Ivan called out to his mother.I quickly got up and positioned myself between them, embracing my mother-in-law."It's enough, Mom," I consoled her to prevent any further escalation. She was extremely angry, her face flushed red. It was fortunate that we were in a private room."Leave now!" she shouted again.Maureen exited the room, and despite Ivan calling after her, she continued to make her way out.I assisted my mother-in-law in taking a seat on the sofa and gave her a glass of water. Meanwhile, my father-in-law stayed near the door, holding onto his waist to calm himself.I asked my in-laws, "What are you doing here?""Somebody informed us about Maureen's visits here. Why didn't you speak up? You should have told me," she said tearfully.I was even more moved to tears by the care and love my in-laws were showing me, prompting me to hug her."And as for you, Ivan, I don't even recognize you anymore!""If only you hadn't pressured me into marrying her, it wouldn't—""Shut up! You don't know what you're saying, Ivan. You have no idea," my mother-in-law muttered, her body trembling.I suggested, "Maybe you should go home for now, Mom. Take a rest; you might become too overwhelmed. Please try to calm down.""How can you remain so composed, my dear?"She embraced me once more. "We should have married you to Dylan back then," she remarked.Dylan is their nephew, the son of my father-in-law's eldest sibling. He is kind and cheerful, unlike Ivan, who always appears angry.Despite what transpired last night, I continued to care for Ivan. I provided him with a meal and assisted him with dressing. The doctor has given the green signal for him to go home, so we're just waiting for his bills to be settled. I was seated on the sofa, Ivan occupied the edge of the bed while his sibling stood near the door, seemingly trying to gauge our emotions. I couldn't help but notice the tension in Ivan, yet I refrained from making eye contact with him throughout. "Let's go," my mother-in-law declared, clutching the receipt and a few prescriptions for Ivan's take-home medications. A nurse with a wheelchair awaited behind her. "You should head home and rest there." I remained silent, anticipating Ivan's complaint, but all he offered in response was a deep sigh. With help, he was settled into the wheelchair and went out the door ahead, propelled by his sibling. My mother-in-law gave me an assuring smile. She embraced me and guided me outside while I remained silent. I
"Is it delicious?" I inquired of Ivan, even though it was evident from his reaction that he was enjoying the meal I had prepared. He responded with a smile and a nod, taking another bite and grinning once more. His eagerness to eat was unmistakable, bringing a sweet smile to my lips."Why aren't you eating?" he asked."You go ahead and eat first because I'm not hungry yet," I replied. It was only six in the afternoon, and he needed to take his medication, so I helped him with his meal."Are you on a diet?" This man had many questions."Not particularly," I responded."You're quite slender.""What do you mean, slender? I'm sexy, you know," I retorted with a pout, suppressing a sigh. I was tempted to mention Maureen's slim figure, but I decided against it as I didn't want to bring up his mistress's name.He pouted. "Am I not sexy?" I raised an eyebrow. He simply smiled. Ah, whatever! "One last thing," I told him. The 'baby bull' had completed the meal I had cooked and prepared for h
While waiting for Ivan to finish his shower, I prepared his clothes for him. I also freshened up the bed sheets and pillowcases. They weren't soiled, but Ivan is very particular about his belongings, even before his amnesia sets in. He insists on having his towels and bedding laundered daily, and he's even more particular about these matters than the average woman. I was the one changing them, but the laundrywoman took care of washing them. As the bathroom door swung open, I couldn't help but steal a quick glance in his direction. However, the sight of him clad only in a towel prompted me to discreetly avert my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't make use of the bathrobe hanging in the bathroom.I discreetly cleared my throat, feeling a dryness in my throat, and then slowly approached him, keeping my gaze fixed firmly on the floor. I guided him towards the couch, where I had thoughtfully laid out his clothes. While he should have been capable of dressing himself, his dis
I refrained from returning to our room for the time being. Instead, I spent some time in the garden and came back once I was certain that Ivan was asleep. With each passing day, the burden I carry grows heavier and heavier. Honestly, I'm causing harm to myself with my actions. Rachelle was right; I truly became a self-sacrificing individual in matters of love. However, all of this is temporary. Soon, I'll be leaving this house. I'll be leaving Ivan. And eventually, everything will become a part of the past, memories to look back on and laugh about. For now, Ivan needs me, so I'll stay to take care of him. I'm still his wife until I leave, and he said he's going to file for an annulment. My gaze ascended, fixing upon the star-studded heavens above, where the moon shone resplendently, its silvery roundness casting a luminous glow."How are you up there in heaven, Mom and Dad?" I reminisced about the time when my grandfather departed from this world during my tender years. My mothe
I woke up later than usual, finding that Ivan had already left our bed. It had been nearly dawn when I drifted off to sleep, and I hadn't noticed him getting up.After a refreshing shower, I left our room with a smile gracing my lips, but it quickly faded upon seeing the scene before me. Maureen was here! She and Ivan were sitting together on the couch. It was already past nine, so my in-laws had left, and Ivan's siblings had also gone to work. I watched the two of them for a moment; Ivan was smiling, and Maureen was talking non-stop. Whenever they laughed, Maureen would hug him, and Ivan would put his arm around her. Once again, I was seized by a sudden, profound ache in my chest. I had hoped to become emotionally numb, yet it appeared impossible. The pain was still very real. Uncertainty gripped me, unsure whether to make my way to the kitchen and feign ignorance or retreat to the room and wait for Maureen to leave. Why does this woman persist in constricting my world? It's not
Seeing Maureen, I walked directly, without glancing back, leaving the house in annoyance since I was supposed to have breakfast in the garden. Upon spotting a taxi, I quickly hailed it, clutching my phone containing my ATM card, and directed the taxi driver to make a brief detour to the nearest ATM for cash. I headed to the church, fervently praying and wrestling with the tears I had bottled up. Eventually, I let my emotions flow, relieved that only a handful of people were entering the church, sparing me the discomfort of shedding tears before the Lord. By noon, I resolved to leave the church, lighting a candle on the side to pray for my parents before my departure.Afterward, I made my way to the mall, where I enjoyed a meal and watched a movie. As the clock approached five in the afternoon, I decided to head back home, assuming that Maureen had likely left the house.On the way back, I pondered whether I should stay or break the commitment I had made to remain for a month,
I remained in the living room while the doctor examined Ivan. Inside, his parents were with him, while his siblings stood by the door. It had been twenty minutes since the doctor entered the room, and I hoped Ivan's condition would improve. Perhaps he was shocked, which caused his headache. I stood up as the doctor emerged with my in-laws. "Take him to the hospital for a thorough check-up tomorrow," the doctor advised Ivan's parents. Dr. Cheng nodded at me before leaving the house. "Mom, how is Ivan?" I inquired. My mother-in-law smiled. "He's doing better now and is looking for you. Go inside your room." "H-Hasn't his memory returned yet?" Mom shook her head. "He just had a headache. I told him not to pressure himself to remember. Myla..." She held my hands and said, "I know you're going through a tough time, but..." Her eyes pleaded as she looked at me. "Can you stay a little while longer? Please, dear, just until he recovers as you promised before." I looked away and could
"Your dad and I are headed to Vietnam this Friday for a conference," my mother-in-law muttered as we enjoyed a snack. "And I was thinking that you two should join us... What do you think?" That would be the next day. I turned to look at Ivan, who responded with a nonchalant shrug. When he noticed my gaze, he raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Do you want to go?" I asked. "How about you?" But this plan would be his decision because there are lingering wounds on his body that had yet to heal. "If you want to go, then let's do it." "But won't it be tough for you?" I expressed my concern. "I'll be fine. A little getaway won't hurt me," Ivan reassured me. "Thank you, love," I hugged him tightly, and he patted my back affectionately. After our snack, I began packing our clothes for the trip, but I found it difficult to concentrate because Ivan was playfully teasing me. He kept hugging me and stealing kisses, filling my heart with overwhelming love. Never did I anticipate that Ivan