Chapter 3 Argument

The door swung shut, and I picked up the stained pregnancy report and tossed it into the bin. When he stepped on it, my heart shuddered. The last sliver of hope I had for him disappeared.

He did not come back that night. Instead, he texted, "It's too late, so I won't disturb you. I'll be back at the Riverson Residence tomorrow."

Three years ago, he had once taken a flight that lasted more than ten hours just to come back and wish me a happy birthday. Now, he had forgotten to come home. He had forgotten it was my birthday, and his excuse was that it was too late.

I turned the phone off and massaged my heaving chest. Tears drenched my pillow.

…

The next day, I handed in my resignation letter at the firm.

The owner was surprised. "If you leave, Ms. Shaw becomes the firm's partner. Are you sure? And does Mr. Riverson know?"

"Of course." I only joined the firm because I loved Yves. The position did not matter.

Now that the love was gone, I could throw everything else away too.

…

At eleven o'clock, I arrived at the Riverson Residence. Yves was at the entrance, but not because he was waiting for me.

He stopped me from going in. "Samantha wants to see what it feels like to have dinner with a family, so don't go in."

I was stunned. "But I'm your wife."

"And her best friend. Her cat just died, and she's depressed. She only got better after coming here. Put yourself in her shoes."

I did that plenty enough. My house was filled with traces of her. She had her bedroom, her favorite bedding, and the flower Yves gave her lived on our balcony. I pretended not to be bothered, even when she gave him razors, aftershave, and even underwear behind my back.

I pretended not to know, but that did not mean I had to tolerate this forever. I had tolerated enough.

Yves went away, but the door was still open. I noticed the presents I picked sitting beside the main table, but now Samantha was the one giving them away like she picked them herself.

My mother-in-law's laughter came from the antechamber. "I wish Yves married Samantha. She's likable, unlike Melinda. She spends all her time working like our family needs it."

Samantha smiled. "Guess I'm just not lucky enough."

"And Melinda's not either. Three years and not even a child to show for it."

Yves did not defend me. He stayed quiet and peeled the seafood for Samantha. From where I stood, I could see the side of his face—tender and filled with a smile.

Samantha had a sweet smile on her face too. That was the smile she had every time she would win a case in court.

This time, what she won was my family. My man.

…

When I got home, her apology text came. "I had no idea he would stop you from coming in, Melinda. It's okay. I yelled at him. He swore he'd never do anything that stupid again. Don't fight on my account."

I stared at the apology.

My stomach was empty, yet it churned with disgust. I was reminded of my senior introducing a VIP client to me last year, but Yves made that client Samantha's when it was time to file it.

I argued with him, and after that, a crying Samantha came to apologize. "All I did was bring it up casually. I didn't think he'd remember it. I just yelled at him and told him to stop meddling, but he wouldn't listen."

That apology was more disgusting than anything in life.

It was twelve when he came home.

He smelled like flowers and was holding a paper bag. He noticed me on the couch and frowned. "You're still up."

I looked at him. "I was waiting for you."

He changed his shoes and walked past me, then he handed me the paper bag. "I bought some snacks while I was taking Samantha home. She didn't finish it, so here you go."

I raised my eyebrow. "You're giving me her leftovers?"

His frown twisted his forehead. "Is it that time of the month again? You're being awfully sarcastic."

Even now he still thought I was in the wrong. "Because you haven't sorted out your priorities. I'm your wife, but you stopped me from going in while bringing my 'best friend' to the main table."

I was holding a glass, and my hand shivered with rage.

"It's just a seat, and she's not a stranger. Look at you. Jealous, narrow-minded, and petty. You don't look anything like a lawyer. If this is what you're really like, I should've married Samantha instead!"