It never occurred to me that they deliberately chose to have an affair in his study for the thrill.
As I was in a daze. Pearl updated her Instagram again.
In the photo. Antonio, who was supposed to be at work, sat comfortably in her living room.
He was sitting on a couch, chatting with an old madam. Those who didn’t know might think he was her grandson–in–law.
I clicked on the live photo and heard Pearl’s voice, tinged with a smile. “Grandma, this is the fourth time Antonio is here this week. You still think he isn’t here enough?“”
A lump formed in my throat as tears spilled onto my phone screen.
Last year, my mother fell seriously ill and was hospitalized, undergoing four surgeries. Yet, Antonio, her son–in–law, never showed up once.
I couldn’t walk, so I begged him several times, asking him to check on my mom, but he refused me righteously.
He said. “What’s the point? I’m not a doctor. If you really are worried about her that much, ask the driver to take you to the hospital. Why are you forcing me?”
I thought he didn’t want to go because he wasn’t good at getting along with the elders. After my mom was cured, she was discharged. One day, she brought this up, and I even defended him.
It turned out he simply thought I was deliberately forcing him to make things difficult for him.
Antonio and I were married for three years. I showed off his love for me. to the others countless times, but now, it dwelled on me that I was a
complete joke.
My vision blurred, and my heart broke. I was overwhelmed by pain and bitterness.
At midnight, Antonio finally came back.
The cheap perfume on his clothes made me nauseated.
He placed his hand on my waist, saying in a titillating tone, “Grace, the baby is perfectly fine. What if tonight, we…”
grabbed his hand and slid it down.
The second his hand touched my motionless leg, he withdrew it at once. as if he had gotten an electric shock.
He looked displeased, and his tone turned cold.
“What’s this supposed to mean, Grace? Yeah, I didn’t celebrate your birthday with you today. But it was just a meal. Do you really have to be like this?”
I was stunned for a second before smiling self–mockingly, “Don’t overthink it. I’m just a bit tired.”
If it were before, I would have been flattered and pleased him already.
I thought the reason why he rarely got intimate with me was because he was concerned about my disability.
I was wrong; it was because his physical needs were already satisfied.
As I listened to his even breathing, I didn’t sleep a wink that night.
Early in the morning, he got up and washed up. He even was in the mood to dress me up.
Squatting in front of my wheelchair, he coaxed me, “I’m sorry for being so mean last night. Don’t be upset with me, OK? It’s the company’s. anniversary today. Let me take you there, maybe you’ll feel better.”
I wanted to refuse, but he took me to the office anyway.
The second those people at the company saw me, they whispered among themselves.
“What’s Mr. Kaufman thinking? There are plenty of pretty women out there, yet he married a cripple.”
The same thing happened every year. Antonio was right beside me, and I was certain he heard their whispers, too, but he didn’t respond at all.
Just then, Pearl, wearing an evening gown, walked over slowly, her obscure gaze sweeping over me.
“Mr. Kaufman, may I have the honor to dance with you?” she offered.
Antonio smiled; he didn’t notice my slowly clenched fists.
“The honor is mine,” he said.
Then he left me behind together with my wheelchair, took Pearl’s hand gently, and danced together with her in the center of the dance floor.
In the next second, all the lights in the room went out.
Meanwhile, fireworks outside the window bloomed brilliantly.
In the darkness, I followed them to the stairwell.
Antonio said, “Why would I lie to you? The fireworks are for you only.”
She complained, “Don’t touch me! You were in bed with that cripple, right? I don’t want to talk to you ever again!”
At the mention of me, he was obviously impatient. “It annoys me whenever I see her legs. Why would I be interested in her? Be good, Pearl. Let me see if you’ve missed me.”
His words broke me down. I lost it and burst into tears, covering my mouth.
Three years ago, when I saw the car rushing toward Antonio, I rushed to him and pushed him away without hesitation. After the accident, I became a cripple.
Back then, at my bedside, Antonio cried his eyes out, swearing he’d be good to me till the day he died.
It had only been three years, yet he had forgotten his vow completely.
After they left, I finally couldn’t help but cry loudly.
I didn’t get it. What did I even mean to Antonio?
After a long time, I wiped away my tears and wheeled myself out. Everyone had left.
Taking out my phone, I saw no new messages.
I could only hail a cab home.
On the way, the car passed by a famous restaurant, and I immediately spotted the two by the window. They were leaning against each other, looking extremely intimate.
I froze. Then I asked the driver to pull over and wheeled myself toward them.
At the sight of me, Antonio pushed Pearl away at once and said a bit awkwardly, “Grace, what are you doing here?”
I swallowed hard, my eyes sore.
