Mad Dog


    Ryan and I turned to see where the sound came from and saw a few people hurrying back into the


    yard. We exchanged a smile, and he said, “Uh–oh, they caught us!”


    I chuckled and yfully took his arm. “Let’s go home.”


    Once inside the house, everyone acted as if nothing had happened. However, we knew they were


    curious.


    Laughter and chatter filled the room once again.


    Vacations always seemed to pass quickly because they were full of joy andughter. Before we knew


    it, the vacation ended, and it was time to return to work. This time, we were swamped.


    Ryan’s parents had returned to their small town with ns to reunite for the next celebration.


    Ryan and I had developed a better understanding of each other. We had different roles this time: he


    was in charge of the projects, I handled the suppliers, and Grayson assisted Ryan with his projects and


    market


    analysis.


    I hadn’t received any news from As in a while. I avoided thinking about him and ignored anything


    concerning him. But deep down, I knew he was still in the background. I still carried the pen he had


    gifted


    1. me.


    It remained in my hand as long as I was in the office.


    The first time I saw Matthew after the vacation was at the hospital. I went for an ultrasound to check my


    gallstones. I asionally felt some difort, perhaps due to the meals that were too oily during the


    celebration.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    The ultrasound room was a shared space, and he had brought Mnie for her prenatal checkup.


    Mnie’s belly had grown significantly this time, and she hobbled by Matthew’s side.


    Mnie clung to Matthew’s arm as soon as she saw me. It was as if she feared I would steal him away.


    Matthew was still in a suit, looking dignified and attracting a few nces. His eyes were restless when


    he


    entered the corridor and saw me.


    He searched for an opportunity to make eye contact with me and speak. However, I deliberately


    avoided.


    looking at him


    Mnie’s current appearance was unttering, and I couldn’t help but question life. I wondered if I


    looked


    ke that when I was pregnant. After some thought, I knew I looked better than her,


    had brown spots on her face and looked highly unattractive without makeup. Her curly hair was despite


    her trendy hairstyle. Her maternity clothes matched her hair color, which was


    I couldn’t bear to look at her. She was different from the rest in a crazy way. Mnie fixed her vicious


    gaze on me the whole time.


    Ivanna had always told me to care for my appearance since my divorce. With Lauren in my life, my


    sense


    of fashion had improved significantly. I looked refined and elegant in my fitted professional attire, neatly


    styled hair, and radiant skin.


    I couldn’t tell if Mnie envied or hated me, but she rolled her eyes and asionally made several


    sarcastic remarks.


    “I can’t believe someone still has the guts to seduce other people’s man, even after getting dumped


    multiple times. She’d still get dumped, no matter how she dresses up!”


    I wondered what she meant since anyone would dress up well before leaving the house. I remained


    calm


    and utterly ignored her. However, a woman beside me observed the situation, asking, “Do you know


    her?”


    I shook my head lightly and replied, “No, I don’t. Just ignore her. She’s like a mad dog.


    The woman smiled. “You’re right. People these days aren’t self–aware. What kind of child do you think


    someone like her would raise?”


    Mnie couldn’t hear us since she was pretty far away. She only saw usughing. Still, Mnie could


    guess it wasn’t anything positive. She shouted, “Chloe, what are youughing at?!”


    She let go of Matthew’s hand and approached me. Matthew was shocked and quickly followed her.