Chapter 9
Chapter 9
84%
+13
Martha froze for a moment, then frowned. “What are you talking about? Juno is already this old, and you’re talking about divorce? Are you trying to make it so that when I’m gone, I’ll have no face to meet your father up there?”
“If you’re getting divorced, fine. I’ll discharge myself tomorrow and stop the treatment!” Martha snapped, getting upset.
I quickly tried to calm her down, apologizing and taking back what I’d said.
She eyed me suspiciously. “Why are you suddenly talking about divorce?”
“It’s nothing.” I waved it off. “I’m just a little upset.”
Martha immediately grasped my hand. “Silly girl, don’t let my illness stop you from being happy.”
After some coaxing, I managed to calm her enough to get her to sleep. Finally, I had a chance to breathe.
I lay down on the folding bed, the scent of the perfume Dexter had carefully prepared for me still lingering in the air. Slowly, I drifted off.
I had a nightmare. In the dream, Dexter took Juno away from me, walking off with another woman in his arms. I ran after them desperately, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t catch up…
I woke up in a cold sweat, and when I saw the daylight outside, I realized I’d slept through the night. At some point, Dexter had come in, and he’d already set up a small breakfast table for Martha.
This morning, Clara had an interview, so she couldn’t come to the hospital.
Dexter volunteered to stay at the hospital the whole day. When he saw me awake, he hurried over. “How did you sleep?”
“Good,” I replied, trying to sound normal. “I’m going to wash up.” I didn’t want to face him, so I rushed to the bathroom. Looking at myself in the mirror, I was horrified. My eyes were red and puffy, and my face was so pale I looked like a ghost.
‘Pull yourself together, Sylvia,’ I thought to myself. ‘Don’t give up now. This is just the beginning!
I quickly freshened up and came out to eat breakfast. Once I was done, Martha needed a check–up, so Dexter and I accompanied her. We waited outside while she went in for the exam on her own.
For the first time, I felt like being near Dexter made the air feel suffocating. The tension was so thick I wanted to escape.
Dexter broke the silence. “Sylvia, did I do something wrong?” His voice was suddenly soft, almost sounding hurt.
I blinked, surprised. “What do you mean?”
“This morning, when you were still asleep, Mom told me you were thinking about divorce… Why?” His voice cracked, full of confusion. “Why would you think about divorce?”
“I…” I was at a loss for words. I never expected Martha would go and tell Dexter everything.
It was just last night that I had been emotionally overwhelmed and said some incoherent things, and now Martha had repeated every word to Dexter.
It was obvious how much she appreciated his support during this hospitalization. Her years of resentment seemed to have melted away, and she had suddenly grown close to him–almost as if he were her own son.
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Chapter 9
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I took a deep breath and spoke carefully, “It’s not like that. I just worry Martha’s illness will become too much of a burden on you…”
I met his eyes, steadying myself before continuing, “You know, chronic kidney failure is a long–term condition. The treatment is expensive, and she’ll need to be on medication for the rest of her life.
“Even if we’re lucky and find a kidney donor, the costs will be huge. She’s my mom, not yours. I don’t want to drag you into all of this.”
Dexter panicked, gripping my hand tightly. “What are you talking about? We’re married, don’t you know what that means? Marriage is about sticking together. When things get tough, we face them together. How could you even think about divorce and push me out like that?”
He was getting worked up. “I’m telling you, I won’t agree to it.”
I lowered my gaze. “I was just saying it.”
“You can’t even say it.”
“Alright, I won’t say anything.”
I thought, ‘Of course, how can I divorce him? I still haven’t figured everything out. I don’t even know who the woman Dexter is seeing outside of our marriage. How can I just walk away without knowing the full story?‘
One thing was clear–Dexter had someone else. Even though the hotel records had my name on them, I hadn’t gone with him over a year ago.
At that time, I had just returned to work and was throwing myself into it, working tirelessly to seize an opportunity. From then until now, I hadn’t spent a single night away with Dexter. So, whoever stayed at that hotel with him wasn’t me.
After accompanying Martha to her check–up, and with Clara taking over in the afternoon, I finally had the chance to go home and rest. After giving the nurse some instructions, Dexter and I left the hospital.
I was completely drained. The past few days had stretched me thin. When I got home, I showered quickly, ate a little, and collapsed into bed. I thought, ‘At least Juno is with me.‘
I hadn’t seen him for a full day and night, so Juno stuck to me like glue. As soon as I lay down, he hurried to take off his shoes and crawled into bed beside me.
Holding him in my arms, I was instantly taken back to those sweet but exhausting days when he was a newborn.
Back then, Dexter had an important work opportunity, so we had to spend some time apart. It was just Juno and me.
Lost in my thoughts, I drifted off to sleep. When I woke up, it was nearly 10 a.m. Juno was no longer in my arms, and his little slippers weren’t by the bedside. I quickly jumped up to look for him.
As I entered the living room, I heard the voice of Kimberly Cook, my mother–in–law, from the kitchen. “You little brat, I told you to eat, but you refuse! Such a picky eater.” Then, she muttered something in her hometown dialect.
My mind went blank. The phrase she used meant she was calling him a “bastard,” a child without a father.
I couldn’t believe it. A grandmother is calling her own grandson that? Even if she dislikes me, how can she curse her own
flesh and blood like that?‘
I stepped forward and saw her sitting in a chair with a bowl in her hands, forcing Juno between her legs. She was trying to shove food into his mouth.
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Chapter 9
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Juno was struggling desperately, but he was too small to resist. Kimberly grinned cruelly as she pushed the spoon toward his
mouth.
1 rushed over, knocked the bowl from her hands, and scooped Juno into my arms. Juno had been force–fed egg custard and was crying so hard he couldn’t catch his breath.
“What the hell are you doing?” I shouted. “Didn’t you know he’s allergic to eggs? Are you trying to hurt him?”
I quickly carried Juno back to the bedroom, searching through the drawers for allergy medicine, calming him as I gave it to
him.
Once I saw he’d taken it, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. I gently wiped the egg custard from his face and clothes, holding
him close.
Kimberly was standing in the doorway, looking flustered and uneasy. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t know he couldn’t eat eggs. I just thought it would be a shame to steam it and have him not eat it. Back home, this is how we feed children. Sylvia, I didn’t
mean to…”
I felt bad for Juno, but since she was an elder and was apologizing so sincerely, I couldn’t stay angry. Still, I had to ask, “You really didn’t know Juno couldn’t eat eggs? I remember Dexter told you.”
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Chapter 9
Chapter 9
84%
+13
Martha froze for a moment, then frowned. “What are you talking about? Juno is already this old, and you’re talking about divorce? Are you trying to make it so that when I’m gone, I’ll have no face to meet your father up there?”
“If you’re getting divorced, fine. I’ll discharge myself tomorrow and stop the treatment!” Martha snapped, getting upset.
I quickly tried to calm her down, apologizing and taking back what I’d said.
She eyed me suspiciously. “Why are you suddenly talking about divorce?”
“It’s nothing.” I waved it off. “I’m just a little upset.”
Martha immediately grasped my hand. “Silly girl, don’t let my illness stop you from being happy.”
After some coaxing, I managed to calm her enough to get her to sleep. Finally, I had a chance to breathe.
I lay down on the folding bed, the scent of the perfume Dexter had carefully prepared for me still lingering in the air. Slowly, I drifted off.
I had a nightmare. In the dream, Dexter took Juno away from me, walking off with another woman in his arms. I ran after them desperately, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t catch up…
I woke up in a cold sweat, and when I saw the daylight outside, I realized I’d slept through the night. At some point, Dexter had come in, and he’d already set up a small breakfast table for Martha.
This morning, Clara had an interview, so she couldn’t come to the hospital.
Dexter volunteered to stay at the hospital the whole day. When he saw me awake, he hurried over. “How did you sleep?”
“Good,” I replied, trying to sound normal. “I’m going to wash up.” I didn’t want to face him, so I rushed to the bathroom. Looking at myself in the mirror, I was horrified. My eyes were red and puffy, and my face was so pale I looked like a ghost.
‘Pull yourself together, Sylvia,’ I thought to myself. ‘Don’t give up now. This is just the beginning!
I quickly freshened up and came out to eat breakfast. Once I was done, Martha needed a check–up, so Dexter and I accompanied her. We waited outside while she went in for the exam on her own.
For the first time, I felt like being near Dexter made the air feel suffocating. The tension was so thick I wanted to escape.
Dexter broke the silence. “Sylvia, did I do something wrong?” His voice was suddenly soft, almost sounding hurt.
I blinked, surprised. “What do you mean?”
“This morning, when you were still asleep, Mom told me you were thinking about divorce… Why?” His voice cracked, full of confusion. “Why would you think about divorce?”
“I…” I was at a loss for words. I never expected Martha would go and tell Dexter everything.
It was just last night that I had been emotionally overwhelmed and said some incoherent things, and now Martha had repeated every word to Dexter.
It was obvious how much she appreciated his support during this hospitalization. Her years of resentment seemed to have melted away, and she had suddenly grown close to him–almost as if he were her own son.
1/3
84%
Chapter 9
+13
I took a deep breath and spoke carefully, “It’s not like that. I just worry Martha’s illness will become too much of a burden on you…”
I met his eyes, steadying myself before continuing, “You know, chronic kidney failure is a long–term condition. The treatment is expensive, and she’ll need to be on medication for the rest of her life.
“Even if we’re lucky and find a kidney donor, the costs will be huge. She’s my mom, not yours. I don’t want to drag you into all of this.”
Dexter panicked, gripping my hand tightly. “What are you talking about? We’re married, don’t you know what that means? Marriage is about sticking together. When things get tough, we face them together. How could you even think about divorce and push me out like that?”
He was getting worked up. “I’m telling you, I won’t agree to it.”
I lowered my gaze. “I was just saying it.”
“You can’t even say it.”
“Alright, I won’t say anything.”
I thought, ‘Of course, how can I divorce him? I still haven’t figured everything out. I don’t even know who the woman Dexter is seeing outside of our marriage. How can I just walk away without knowing the full story?‘
One thing was clear–Dexter had someone else. Even though the hotel records had my name on them, I hadn’t gone with him over a year ago.
At that time, I had just returned to work and was throwing myself into it, working tirelessly to seize an opportunity. From then until now, I hadn’t spent a single night away with Dexter. So, whoever stayed at that hotel with him wasn’t me.
After accompanying Martha to her check–up, and with Clara taking over in the afternoon, I finally had the chance to go home and rest. After giving the nurse some instructions, Dexter and I left the hospital.
I was completely drained. The past few days had stretched me thin. When I got home, I showered quickly, ate a little, and collapsed into bed. I thought, ‘At least Juno is with me.‘
I hadn’t seen him for a full day and night, so Juno stuck to me like glue. As soon as I lay down, he hurried to take off his shoes and crawled into bed beside me.
Holding him in my arms, I was instantly taken back to those sweet but exhausting days when he was a newborn.
Back then, Dexter had an important work opportunity, so we had to spend some time apart. It was just Juno and me.
Lost in my thoughts, I drifted off to sleep. When I woke up, it was nearly 10 a.m. Juno was no longer in my arms, and his little slippers weren’t by the bedside. I quickly jumped up to look for him.
As I entered the living room, I heard the voice of Kimberly Cook, my mother–in–law, from the kitchen. “You little brat, I told you to eat, but you refuse! Such a picky eater.” Then, she muttered something in her hometown dialect.
My mind went blank. The phrase she used meant she was calling him a “bastard,” a child without a father.
I couldn’t believe it. A grandmother is calling her own grandson that? Even if she dislikes me, how can she curse her own
flesh and blood like that?‘
I stepped forward and saw her sitting in a chair with a bowl in her hands, forcing Juno between her legs. She was trying to shove food into his mouth.
2/3
84%1
Chapter 9
+13
Juno was struggling desperately, but he was too small to resist. Kimberly grinned cruelly as she pushed the spoon toward his
mouth.
1 rushed over, knocked the bowl from her hands, and scooped Juno into my arms. Juno had been force–fed egg custard and was crying so hard he couldn’t catch his breath.
“What the hell are you doing?” I shouted. “Didn’t you know he’s allergic to eggs? Are you trying to hurt him?”
I quickly carried Juno back to the bedroom, searching through the drawers for allergy medicine, calming him as I gave it to
him.
Once I saw he’d taken it, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. I gently wiped the egg custard from his face and clothes, holding
him close.
Kimberly was standing in the doorway, looking flustered and uneasy. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t know he couldn’t eat eggs. I just thought it would be a shame to steam it and have him not eat it. Back home, this is how we feed children. Sylvia, I didn’t
mean to…”
I felt bad for Juno, but since she was an elder and was apologizing so sincerely, I couldn’t stay angry. Still, I had to ask, “You really didn’t know Juno couldn’t eat eggs? I remember Dexter told you.”
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