Leland called for me, and I stumbled to the door.
“Is your stomach still hurting? What’s wrong with your eyes?”
He cupped my face, his touch gentle and full of concern.
I threw myself into his arms, making up an excuse. “I had a dream about Mom and Dad. I miss them so much.”
Leland held me tightly, his eyes glistening with tears. “It’s okay. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
Tears fell again. The familiar scent of gardenias on him had been replaced by roses.
Was it her perfume?
I scoffed inwardly. I was leaving in a month anyway. Why was I still obsessing over this?
I pushed him away, wiped my tears, and forced a smile. “I’m hungry.”
He picked me up and took me downstairs, his eyes swollen with redness, and placed me in front of the dining table.
He looked at me.“Try your favorite cake and juice.”
I nodded, taking a sip of the cherry juice. It was tasty.
“The cake is good too,” I said, letting him feed me. He kissed my lips gently.
“I tasted it too. You aren’t lying. It really is good.”
He had always been like this, even finishing my leftovers when I was a child. He still loved me deeply, but my heart was aching unbearably.
Just then, his phone rang. Whether it was intentional or not, the ringtone was a song about cheating, making me feel even worse.
It was Caitlyn calling.
Afraid I’d misunderstand, he quickly picked up.“It’s probably about work. Caitlyn usually doesn’t call this late.”
I nodded. When he wasn’t looking, I dumped the juice and cake into the trash can.
I got into the car and asked the driver to take me home.
I checked the time, and it was already 10 p.m.
At that time, Caitlyn sent another provocative message.
“Ms. Perez, are you pretending to sleep? No worries. Once you’re asleep, Leland can come to me. I’m planning to wear a maid outfit tonight. It should be exciting!”
I turned off my phone, my throat very dry.
The driver’s phone rang. It was Leland calling. “Kevin, have you seen Ms. Perez? Her phone is off.”
“She’s in the car, Mr. Pearson. Her phone died. She said you had work and asked me to take her home.”
“Alright, drive safely. Have Lara make her some soup when she gets back. Make sure she doesn’t catch a cold.” Leland was always so thoughtful.
Since I was ten, he had treated me like a treasure, never scolding me.
< Chapter 5
He was like a father, tolerating all my whims.
Even though he was a matrilocal husband, I never allowed the staff to disrespect him.
They called me “Ms. Perez” and him “Mr. Pearson“. He was my husband, and I was his wife. But now…
