The Truth Hurts


    I hurried back to the bedroom and answered the call toin, “You’re something else, huh? You left


    me hanging!”


    “Something came up at work, so I was in a rush.” Ivanna sounded tired. “I just finished settling it. That’s


    why I’m calling you now. Why are youining? Do you think my life is as easy as yours?”


    I hesitated to reply but couldn’t hold back and asked her, “Um, you mentioned seeing Matthew two


    days ago. Where was he? What time was it?”


    This question had been bugging me all day.


    Ivanna paused on the other end before she answered calmly, “Honestly, I forgot the exact location. It


    was just a fleeting glimpse while I was driving.”


    “Oh.” For some reason, her answer left me a bit disappointed. Although my heart dropped, I


    unclenched my fists and realized my palms were cold and sweaty. I chuckled and wondered whether or


    not I wanted to prove Matthew was having an affair.


    I must admit he was my everything, and I feared losing him.


    “I realize how obsessed you are with your husband. You seem to light up whenever I mention Matthew.


    Can’t you prioritize yourself more? Since Ava is already in kindergarten, you should do something for


    yourself.


    “Don’t tell me you n on being Matthew’s essory for the rest of your life. I think you’re bing a


    fool. You seempletely disconnected from the outside world because Matthew is the only person in


    yours,” Ivanna mocked me.RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    I smiled awkwardly and sighed. “Matthew said…”


    “See?! Matthew said this, Matthew said that. Was I wrong to say you’re obsessed with him? Your life


    revolves around him, and whatever he says goes. Will you jump off a cliff if he says so? Will you count


    the money for him if he sells you off?” Ivanna didn’t hold back.


    “Ugh, you’re such a jinx! Matthew will never sell me!” I retorted.


    “Yeah, you’re right. Your beloved Matthew will never sell you, but I will!” Ivanna sneered disdainfully.


    “The truth hurts sometimes, but you must have values. Your life shouldn’t revolve around being a


    housewife and doing chores. That’s not love. That’s being a fool!


    “It’s only love if he cares about you. How can you keep his interest if all you do is stay home and do


    chores? Let me ask you something. Besides your child and husband, do you even know who you are


    anymore?”


    Ivana babbled, and I had no time to refute.


    She noticed my silence and softened her tone. “Chloe, I want to see your confident and radiant self


    again. You used to be a top student, my superstar! I just think it’s a shame to see you wasting your


    time, ving away at home like this.”


    “Enough. This is like giving me a pat on the back after pping me. I don’t know who got on your


    nerves, but you’ve decided to vent it on me.”


    We bothughed when I said that.


    Still, I knew Ivanna always spoke her mind. Although she had mentioned simr things before, hearing


    them again today felt different. I didn’t know why I felt flustered and wondered if Ivanna was trying to


    imply something.


    Just then, Matthew knocked on the door and walked in with a gentle smile. “Honey, it’s time to eat!”


    Ivanna heard his voice from the other end of the call and said, “All right, go have your dinner.” Then she


    lowered her voice and advised, “Consider what I said. Take my words to heart, and don’t get blinded by


    the shining things before you!”


    With that, she hung up.


    Matthew pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “Who was it?”


    “Ivanna.”


    “What did she say? Was she nagging again?” Matthew smiled tenderly, seemingly casual. He knew


    how close Ivanna and I were because three of us were former ssmates. “I haven’t seen her in a long


    while.”


    My mind began to spin. Matthew said he hadn’t seen her in a while, so Ivanna was far away when she


    saw him. I felt relieved and knew I was overthinking.


    “What’s wrong?” Matthew noticed my absent-mindedness and leaned down to look at me. He pinched


    my cheeks yfully with both hands and leaned in for a kiss, showing utmost concern.


    Then he asked, “What’s distracting you? What are you thinking about?”


    His gaze was careful, and I snapped out of my thoughts. I smiled and said, “Nothing. Let’s eat!”


    Matthew pulled me close and kissed me again before we walked outside together. Even so, my doubts


    somehow grew heavier.