Booki Chapter6
My phone suddenly rang. It was James. “Autumn, where are you?” Ryan just called me, asking why you’re not home yet. I told him my mom wanted you to stay over tonight. He asked you to call him when you can. After a pause, he asked hesitantly: “Did you two fight?” No. “Hmm…” He’s cheating on me. “…Fuck.” James’s chest heaved with anger. After a moment, he called out urgently: Autumn, where are you? I’ll come get you. I’m outside my building. “It’s cold out. Go inside first, I’ll be right there.” looked up at the silhouettes moving behind the floor–to–ceiling windows and smiled bitterly. Ryan… he brought his mistress home. “Uncle James, I don’t have a home anymore.”
James took a deep breath, trying to stay calm as he comforted me. “Don’t move. I’m coming to take you home.” I tugged at my lip: “Okay, but I need to get some things from the apartment first. I’ll wait for you at the complex entrance.” “Autumn, please, I’m begging you don’t go up there. At least wait for me if you must go!” He was worried about me, afraid I’d be devastated seeing what was happening inside. But–I clutched the prenatal exam papers I’d found in the passenger seat. The housekeeper had tried so hard to make sure I’d see them. How could I disappoint her?
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Booki Chapter7
Before entering, I put on disposable shoe covers. From the living room to the bathroom, clothes were scattered everywhere. A woman’s sultry voice came from the balcony. “Baby, can we go to your bedroom next? I want to do it in front of your wedding photos.” Through the wind–blown curtains, I could make out two naked figures entwined. “No, the sheets are new. She’ll notice if she comes back tomorrow.” “But I want to… I want to do it on your bed…” Her words were cut off by his kiss.
Seeing they weren’t coming in yet, I went straight to the bedroom to pack. Steam filled the bathroom, rose petals floating in the tub, suspicious marks on the sink and mirror. In the walk–in closet, dresser drawers hung open, lingerie scattered about. Nausea welled up inside me. I put on gloves, retrieved my documents, and disinfected them. As I was sanitizing things, the tw finally came inside. Even in late fall, they’d stayed out there quite a while.
Under the bright lights, Ryan walked in carrying Emma. When they saw me, he stumbled back in disbelief. Emma shrieked, scrambling to hide in Ryan’s arms. Ryan and I stared at each other across the space. His sharply defined features were still the face I’d loved for so many years. Hair falling carelessly across his forehead, features deep and striking. But his usually composed expression now showed rare panic. “Autumn, let me explain. I ignored him and smiled at Emma: “Using my things, wearing my lingerie, sleeping with my husband aren’t you just trash?” She hid her face behind her hair, curled up in Ryan’s arms, trembling. Ryan’s face went ash–white: “Autumn, I’m sorry… she’s young, it’s my fault.” I looked him up and down, unable to hold back a sneer: “Ryan, have some dignity.” Ignoring his face cycling through white, blue and red, I threw the prenatal exam papers at him and turned to leave.
