Chapter 4

Two days passed and Damien never said a word about the incident.

Everything had happened just forty eight hours ago, yet he carried on as though none of it had ever happened.

Every morning, he left for work at exactly eight and he would return every evening, just before seven.

They ate at the same table and slept in the same room with their backs against each other and a curtain between them. 

This was the new norm since Damien made love to Shirley three weeks ago in a drunken state. 

But between them, silence had become another person in the house.

Shirley had stopped asking where he went after work and she stopped waiting for him to return home. 

Even her tears had become scarce…all that was left was emptiness she could not explain.

The only person who still managed to draw a smile from her was Cindy.

The little girl sat on the kitchen floor, surrounded by wooden blocks.

"Mommy, look."

Shirley turned from the stove.

"I built a castle", Cindy said, proudly holding up a crooked tower she built. 

"You did." Shirley smiled and crouched beside her. "It's beautiful."

"For you."

Her heart clenched.

She kissed Cindy's forehead before returning to the pot simmering on the stove.

Another wave of nausea rose in her throat and she gripped the edge of the counter until it passed.

The baby growing inside of her was announcing its presence every now and then. 

Yet, she hadn't told Damien and she wasn't sure she ever would.

Then the front door opened.

Heavy footsteps came through the hallway.

And oh, it was Damien.

He loosened his tie out of habit and entered the dining room, looking as composed as ever.

His eyes briefly met Shirley's before moving away.

Not once in two days had he apologized and not once had he asked how she was doing.

To him, the conversation with her had settled everything.

He had told her the truth and that was enough.

"I'm home," he announced.

Cindy abandoned her blocks and ran toward him.

"Daddy!"

A faint smile appeared on Damien's face.

He bent down, lifting her into his arms.

"There's my princess."

She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too."

Shirley watched them from the kitchen doorway.

It amazed her how effortlessly he loved their daughter.

If only a fraction of that love had found its way to his wife.

Damien carried Cindy to the dining table before setting her down.

"We'll be having a guest for dinner tonight”, he said looking toward Shirley. 

She paused briefly.

"I've already started cooking."

"Good."

He placed his car keys on the table.

"I want you to prepare braised lamb, roasted potatoes and mushroom cream sauce."

Shirley frowned.

Those weren't the regular meals Damien ever requested. 

"You don't even eat mushrooms."

"I know."

He removed his watch.

"It's for our guest." 

The way he spoke made Shirley feel uneasy.

"Who is coming?"

Damien finally looked at her.

"Violetta."

Everything inside her went still.

For a moment, she wondered if she'd heard him wrong.

"...What?"

"Violetta will be joining us for dinner”, he repeated so casually as though she was just a random business associate…no hesitation whatsoever. 

No guilt and there was no trace of shame in his voice. 

Shirley's fingers tightened around the wooden spoon in her hand.

"You want me...", her voice faltered.

"...to cook dinner for her?"

"I've already told you what to prepare."

"Damien..."

"It's business”, he cut her off.

She laughed and it was hollow.

"You brought your mistress into our marriage."

Now she looked him straight in the eyes.

"And today you're bringing her into our home."

A muscle flickered in Damien's jaw.

"Keep your voice down. Cindy can hear you. She's around, so don't make a scene.”

Those words hurt far more than Shirley could imagine. He was not bothered about how she felt and he was not even considering what this would do to her. 

His only concern was avoiding a disturbance.

Shirley scanned his face one more time and she hoped to find even the smallest trace of remorse but still, there was none…only impatience.

"I expect dinner to be ready by seven. Ask Daisy for assistance if you can't manage everything on your own."

With that, Damien walked upstairs, leaving Shirley standing alone in the kitchen.

The spoon slipped from her hand and clattered against the tiled floor.

Cindy peeked around the corner.

"Mommy?"

Shirley forced the corners of her lips upward.

"It's okay, sweetheart."

But it wasn't, not even close.

In a few minutes, Daisy came into the kitchen to help out with the meal. She prepared everything as Shirley was too furious and exhausted to work.

“You seem tired ma’am”, Daisy said when she realized Shirley had her head on the table. 

“I'm fine.”

“Okay ma’am. But I think you should get some rest. I'll handle the rest.” 

Shirley nodded and just as she was about to go upstairs, she heard a knock on the door. 

Before she reached the door, Damien stopped her. 

“It must be Violetta. I'll get it and yes, be on your best behavior and try not to create a ruckus”.  

She stood rooted in the same spot…unable to believe that her husband spoke to her so dismissively. 

When Violleta stepped in, she laid a soft kiss on Damien’s cheek and he smiled sheepishly before welcoming her in. 

He was so caring and gentle with her as they discussed a new project.

Their conversation stretched into dinner and for the first time ever, Damien's full attention was on someone else aside from their daughter. 

Shirley watched the whole scene with a broken heart – Violetta wiping off something off Damien’s lips and holding his hand as if she was invisible. 

She could no longer bear the pain so she packed up her plate and after everything, took Cindy to the nursery. 

She stayed there until Violetta left late into the night.

“I told you not to pull a stunt but you never listen to me!” Damien said when he saw Shirley descending. 

“What did I do now?” 

“You walked out on our guest.” 

“I walked out on you and your lover”, Shirley shot back. 

“You were both in your own world and I couldn't allow my daughter to witness all of that.”

Damien sighed. 

“Don't use Cindy as an excuse for your rude behavior. Violetta didn't say it but I know she felt bad.” 

Shirley couldn't believe her ears. Her husband was more concerned about his lover’s feelings than hers. 

She was about to speak when she felt a sharp pain in her tummy. 

Damien noticed her hand placement yet again and he rushed to get water for her. 

But she insisted she was fine and barely sipped the water before heading to the bedroom.