Chapter 5
Chapter 5
She was wearing a mask, but I knew–it was Ophelia. Her stomach was visibly swollen, and even the loose hospital gown couldn’t hide it. I pulled out my phone and called Stephen. The ringtone played, but he didn’t pick up, only lowering the volume. He waited until I hung up on my own before he turned off his phone, laughing and chatting as he walked with Ophelia into a hospital room.
So, when I was desperately reaching out to him for help, he ignored my calls on purpose.
I didn’t dare confront him right then. I was terrified of losing him completely. As the elevator doors slowly closed, a dull ache filled my chest, spreading relentlessly.
That night, I pretended as if nothing had happened, lying in bed. Stephen held me, his chim resting against my forehead.
I asked him, “Stephen, do you love me?”
“Why are you suddenly asking this? We’re married, aren’t we?” He then reached over, trying to unbutton my shirt.
I quietly pulled away, shifting to the edge of the bed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just tired today.”
He said nothing more, but I knew he was upset. Normally, he’d tease me a bit and hold me
close as we slept, but tonight he didn’t. He just turned his back to me, facing away.
In our three years of marriage, he’d never said he loved me. He hadn’t even said he liked.
- me. I had once believed that three years would be enough to make him love me, so I
worked tirelessly to capture his attention. But in the end, my companionship couldn’t compete with the rose he held in his heart. And I, just a pitiful clown, didn’t mean anything.
I felt so exhausted, and suddenly, I wanted to end it all.
15.12
