Chapter 13
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.”
1 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, spent a single night away with Dexter. So, whoever stayed at that hotel with him wasn’t me
I hadn’t
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.
1 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 t
those sweet but exhausting days when he was a newborn
Juno and me.
Back then, Dexter had an important work opportunity, so we had to spend some time apart. It was just ]
Lost in my thoughts, I drifted off to sleep. When I woke up, it was nearly 10 am. Juno was no longer in my arms, and his little slippers weren’t by the bedside. I quickly jumped up to look for him
you to cat, but you
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 yo 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?
his
1 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 h mouth
Juno was struggling desperately, but he was too small to resist. Kimberly grinned cruelly as she pushed the spoon toward his mouth.
I 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?”
1 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…
1 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 eu eggs‘ I remember Dexter told you”
