ManyWriters

In the third year of our marriage, I discovered I was pregnant. With my husband away on a business trip in another state, I had no choice but to go to the hospital for a check-up alone.
Little did I expect to see my supposedly out-of-town husband outside the examination room, fingers intertwined with his pure love.
I dialed his number once more. He answered, lowering his voice in irritation:
"Faye, are you incapable of understanding English? How many times do I have to tell you I'm in a meeting! A meeting!"
"You may be blind, but you're not deaf!"
A wave of sorrow washed over me as I slowly spoke:
"Where's this meeting? What kind of meeting?"
"If you're sick, go to the hospital. Stop acting crazy here."
He rudely hung up the phone, then turned to Pure Love's inquiry with a gentle smile.
"Just a blind woman. She's nothing compared to you."
The moment he turned and our eyes met, River's smile froze on his face.

Love's Withered Bloom

I answered the call without much thought.


"Faye, Serenity was just messing around with that social media post. Don't take it seriously."


I had blocked River, but he must've gotten a new number.


Watching the latest reality show, I chuckled stupidly, then gave a half-hearted reply after he finished speaking:


"Oh, I wasn't really bothered by it anyway."


Grandma handed me a peeled apple, taking the opportunity to snatch my phone away.


"Stop playing with your phone while watching TV."


"Faye is doing just fine now, so please stop harassing her."


Too bad River wasn't listening - he's way too busy these days.


He comes by my place every week. When I don't see him, he stands under the streetlight all night.


That's why there's always a fresh bouquet of roses at my doorstep.


Of course, this is all according to what the neighbors tell me.


Chapter 10