Smooth–Talker


    The phone call shocked Matthew and me. His eyes narrowed, while mine grew sharper as I looked at


    him


    and demanded, “Answer it!”


    Matthew froze again.


    “You will answer this call in front of me if you have any conscience left. I’ll give you onest chance!” I


    stared at him, holding my still–crying daughter close.


    After a while, I straightened up and continued, “I used to believe my husband would never betray me,


    even


    in a world full of lies. You’ve let me down.”


    I finally uttered the words I never wanted to face. I never expected the concept of betrayal to affect us


    too. I cried as the words left my mouth. My cries mixed with Ava’s in a symphony of heartache and


    brokenness.


    Matthew slowly took his phone, and the ringtone was even more jarring in the tense atmosphere. I


    looked


    motionless husband staring at me. Gradually, his fingers clenched into a fist as I growled through


    at my


    gritted teeth, “Answer it!”


    Matthew nced at the phone and said, “I–It’s Mnie.”


    “Answer it!” Regardless of who it was, I wouldn’t give him another chance to reject the call.


    Although he hesitated, he saw my determination and reluctantly answered, “Mel, I’m in the middle of


    something with Chloe right now. Can we talkter?”


    “Oh, sure. I’ll call you tomorrow then!” It was indeed Mnie’s voice on the other end.


    After hanging up the phone, Matthew looked at me innocently.


    I felt lost in the face of this unexpected turn. Ava’s cries for me made it impossible to continue


    confronting him, so I stood up and carried her to our room before mming the door. 1


    “C–Chlo… Chlo!”


    I couldn’t hold back my tears as the door closed. I was so close to exposing Matthew, yet he twisted the


    situation. I suspected Mnie must be covering for her brother. I would expect such things from his


    sister, especially since Mnie and I never liked each other.


    At that moment, Matthew seemed like a stranger to me. He was cunning and a convincing r, making


    me shudder just thinking about it. I had shared my bed with that man for many years, but he led a


    double life while I clung to my fantasies.


    Matthew stood outside and called for me continuously, but I didn’t acknowledge him. I held my


    daughter


    close that night, and the scene of her falling haunted me. My heart ached with regret, and I couldn’t


    sleep


    a wink.


    The following morning, Matthew prepared breakfast and innocently stood outside Ava’s room as he


    woke


    us up.


    Once I got Ava dressed and carried her out of the room, Matthew guiltily hugged us. “Chlo, please don’t


    be mad. I was wrong. Please forgive me.” 3)


    He pressed his face against Ava’s cheek and continued, “I feel even worse for you, little one. I’m so


    sorry.”


    Matthew looked at Ava’s lips and gently touched them while his eyes reddened. After all, his deception


    caused Ava’s injury.


    “Chlo, please believe me. I would never betray you. Please stop overthinking things. It hurts me when


    you’re like this, so I’ve been reflecting on myself all night. Maybe I’ve been neglecting youtely, and


    I’m


    sorry.


    “How about we go on a vacation to Tarantino this weekend, just the three of us? We can visit the


    amusement park and then go to the spa.”


    I felt conflicted, seeing him beg like this. However, I reminded myself not to believe his lies and to fight


    for Ava’s justice. I collected my emotions before saying. “All right. Hurry and eat your food before you


    go to work. I think what Mnie said to mest night got to me. Well… Forget it!”


    I purposely brought up Mnie.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    However, Matthew didn’t react to it and cheered as if I had forgiven him. Immediately after, he hugged


    and kissed me nonstop.


    “I knew my reasonable wife would understand! Don’t lower yourself to her level! Honey, I can’t live


    without you. I couldn’t sleepst night. You can’t let your thoughts wander, okay? I love you more than


    anything.”


    Ha! I’m so reasonable that I let him cheat on me. 2


    suppressed myugh and said, “Okay, let’s eat.”


    Although Ava was young, she was preceptive. She noticed our expressions and babbled on while


    hugging us. Soon after, we enjoyed our breakfast together, which was almost harmonious.


    However, Ava’s swollen lips still bugged me. It was a constant reminder that the man before me had


    inflicted irreparable wounds on me and my daughter. Despite that, I was already thinking of ways to


    uncover the other woman’s identity.