Nine

But I ignore his words as I find my way to the bedroom. Once inside, I pace around the room in frustration.

"What's this about?" Leonard's voice cuts through as he walks inside the bedroom and shutting the door behind him.

My plan is to ignore him but this is Leonard. He hates me ignoring him and I don't like him being upset because of me. So, instead I'll express myself the way I can.

"Stop asking me that. I told you I don't feel well. I've lost my appetite?" I reply.

He ignores my response. "Just cut that Eve, you never say no to home cooked meals" he snaps "You just embarrassed me in front of Clara and my mom. Why will you just walk out like that?"

My mouth falls open, disbelief washing over me. "I embarrassed you? Leonard, do you hear yourself? Do you realize how humiliating it is to sit there while she—"

"She what?" he cuts in, stepping closer. "Tell stories about our childhood? Evelyn, she wasn't trying to offend you. She's just being herself. Why can't you see it?"

"That's the problem!" I snap, my voice breaking. "I don't like that she is acting like this is her home, like she belongs here more than I do. And you—you just let her!"

Leonard exhales sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Evelyn, you're overreacting and it is exhausting. I thought we understood each other, why are you making this hard for us—for me? Clara isn't a threat to you. I've told you that before. Clara will always be family."

"And where does that leave me?" I demand, my voice rising and shaking. "Do I just sit there, smiling politely, while she—while she acts like she knows you better than I do?"

He looks at me, his gaze hardening like I'm puking an abomination. "She's not acting like that. That's how she has always been."

"I wonder who's side you are on, your wife or your…" I mutter as my voice trails off, not knowing what or how to address her.

I turn around and make an attempt to walk away from him into the closet but he grabs my hand and pulls me back.

I've never seen him like this. His eyes flicker to anger and something else. Why is he so upset? My heart jumps in fear.

"You are hurting me Leo…your grip is too tight" I cry out in a whisper. I watch him slowly let go of my hand.

He takes a step back, as he runs a hand through his hair.

"Evelyn, this isn't about sides. It's about basic courtesy. You walked out on a dinner Clara prepared for everyone, and now my mother probably thinks you're being petty. I need you to come back down and finish dinner."

I stare at him, incredulous. "You want me to sit there and pretend to be fine?" my voice is shaky too.

"Yes," he says with a clipped tone. "Just because it's the right thing to do. And because I don't want to have this argument in front of them. Okay?" With that, he walks out of the bedroom.

"Unbelievable" I breathe out, placing a hand on top of my forehead as my eyes barter up and down.

I stand there for seconds unable to move, my heart pounding as I replay the conversation in my mind. Anger, hurt, and frustration war within me, but beneath it all is a lingering ache—a longing for him to stand by me, to defend me instead of scolding me for not eating a meal cooked by Clara.

I breathe in and out three times before smoothing my dress and deciding to go back to the living room. I don't want to be on Leonard's bad side. He's my husband after all.

"Do you feel better now?" Clara asks as I make my way to my seat.

I nod my head and fake a smile "yea, thanks."

After the dinner, I find my way upstairs as Margaret and Clara leave the house. I decide not to sleep in the same room as Leonard. I feel so upset that he had to pick sides instead of supporting me. And he doesn't even make any attempt to go after me.

The next morning when I wake up, Leonard is already at the dining having breakfast. He's fully dressed, all set for work. I ignore him and find my way to the kitchen. I don't plan on having dinner with him in the same table.

"I'll have breakfast upstairs in the mini dining" I tell Anabel before leaving the kitchen.

Just as I'm about to climb the stairs, I feel a hand grip my wrist. I know it's Leonard so I remain as I am, waiting for him to speak first.

"Good morning, wife," he says. His voice makes my inside tighten, threatening to betray me and forget about everything but I bite down on my lip determined not to give in.

When I don't respond, he clears his throat "Turn around. Look at me." He releases my wrist.

Slowly, I turn around to look at him.

"About yesterday, I don't want you to store it in your heart" he says.

"I should say sorry for the way I acted which I'm doing now. I just want you to meet me halfway. See where I was coming from. Clara is not like any other female and you know this, I only let her come because, right now—"

"It's fine" my voice cuts through surprising the both of us.

But that's a lie, it's not fine. I want him to tell me more than just what he's telling me now except I'm also too tired for any of that. But Leonard is not the type to apologize easily or accept his wrong. So, this makes me have a conviction that he didn't mean to hurt me.

"Are you sure? Because she'll be staying here for a while" He looks at me firmly.

"Wait, what? She will?" I flash my eyes open. "Why? For what reason? Doesn't she have a home?"

"Errr…" he doesn't look disturbed by my numerous questions "it's just for a while okay?" he rubs the bridge of his nose.

I'm confused and upset. So his apology was only so that I can let Clara into our home?

"I don't want this. I don't want her here."

"But I thought you said you understood me. She needs a friend's support right now. I'm only trying to give her what she—"

"Why? Are you the only one on earth?" I don't let him finish.

His brows furrows "don't do that…she won't be a bother to you. I'll make sure she doesn't—"

"I understand. It's fine." I reply, sucking in a breath. I know there's nothing I'll say to change his mind. There's nothing I can do right now, except kill Clara if I can. Because so long as she's alive, Leonard will always care so much for her.

Just then, Anabel emerges from the kitchen with a tray of my food. As she's about to walk past us, Leonard stops her.

"There's no need, she'll have breakfast here at the table. We'll eat as a family" he says, glancing at me "right?"

I nod my head. "Yeah."

Without any questions, Anabel nods her head and starts walking back to the kitchen.

He takes my hand and leads me to the dinning. He pulls out a seat for me and we get seated. Soon, our food arrives and we start eating.

Seconds later, I get a message from the head of finance at the textile company. They want me at the office today, there's an important meeting and I need to be there to sign documents since my father's incompetence has kicked in again.

I look at the message and then at Leo. I know that I have to tell him first especially when he doesn't want me there but I am caught between worry and fear.

Finally deciding to tell him, I clear my throat. "They need me at the company" I say slowly. "But I'm not working, I just need to go through a few documents then I'm out"

He looks at me for a while as if he doesn't understand what I said but I know he did so I wait for his response.

"I've told you before, your father has ruined everything about the reputation of that place. I can't have you still getting involved with them, for my image and your safety too" he says.

I swallow dryly. I like that he's looking out for me which makes me. But I can't stop feeling like I'll be betraying my late mother if I just abandon the company like that even though what he has said is true.

"By the way, you look beautiful this morning" he says almost nonchalantly. I wonder if he's saying that to pin down my loyalty right now.