Chapter 19 Smooth–Talker
The phone call shocked Matthew and me. His eyes narrowed, while mine grew sharper as I looked at him
and demanded, “Answer it!”
Matthew froze again.
“You will answer this call in front of me if you have any conscience left. I’ll give you one last chance!” I
stared at him, holding my still–crying daughter close.
After a while, I straightened up and continued, “I used to believe my husband would never betray me, even
in a world full of lies. You’ve let me down.”
I finally uttered the words I never wanted to face. I never expected the concept of betrayal to affect us
too. I cried as the words left my mouth. My cries mixed with Ava’s in a symphony of heartache and
brokenness.
Matthew slowly took his phone, and the ringtone was even more jarring in the tense atmosphere. I looked
motionless husband staring at me. Gradually, his fingers clenched into a fist as I growled through
at my
gritted teeth, “Answer it!”
Matthew glanced at the phone and said, “I–It’s Melanie.”
“Answer it!” Regardless of who it was, I wouldn’t give him another chance to reject the call.
Although he hesitated, he saw my determination and reluctantly answered, “Mel, I’m in the middle of
something with Chloe right now. Can we talk later?”
“Oh, sure. I’ll call you tomorrow then!” It was indeed Melanie’s voice on the other end.
After hanging up the phone, Matthew looked at me innocently.
I felt lost in the face of this unexpected turn. Ava’s cries for me made it impossible to continue
confronting him, so I stood up and carried her to our room before slamming the door. 1
“C–Chlo… Chlo!”
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