I quietly responded; this was how I had numbly lived through the past two years.
He missed my birthday, and I remained silent.
I was allergic to perfume, but when he gifted it, I still said it was okay.
He forgot to pick me and the child up, and I only said he was busy.
Ignoring everything had become my way of holding this marriage together.
As the driver was about to drive off, sudden loud shouts for help came from afar, from the spot where Heidi was selling.
“Someone come fast, something collapsed! Help!”
As soon as he heard it, he seemed to lose his senses, and without a word, he tried to step out of the car.
“Evie, I suddenly recalled the wedding ring was left behind, I’m going to get it!”
My heart raced, and I reached out to firmly hold his sleeve.
“If it’s gone, we can just buy another, don’t go.”
Vera asked in an innocent voice, “Daddy, where are you going?”
His eyes grew red, his expression became uneasy, and he spoke to me, “Evie, that’s our wedding ring. I have to go find it!”
With that, he pulled his hand away from mine, hurried out of the car, and ran into the alley, leaving a determined figure behind.
I froze, and in that instant, the wedding ring had clearly been in his hand.
Vera asked with pure innocence, “Mommy, will Daddy come back?”
At that moment, I stayed silent.
I also did not know if he would come back.
When I saw him again, his face was covered in dust, and the sleeve of his tailored suit was torn in several places, as he carried Heidi in his arms and walked out.
My hand clenched as I stepped out of the car and walked toward them.
In a cold tone, I asked, “Did you find the ring?”
“Or was it her you wanted to find?”
He gave no reply.
Heidi weakly slipped out of his arms and stood in front of me.
With her head lowered and voice shaking, she said, “Sorry, sister. Don’t blame Brother Ezra…”
“I was the shameless one, I begged him to save me, it’s all my fault!”
I moved one step closer, and Ezra reacted by protecting her behind him.
Watching their close gesture, some bitterness filled my heart.
“Evie, someone’s life is in danger; don’t let jealousy blind you.”
“If there’s anything, come at me, Heidi is innocent!”
I saw how anxious he was to explain, lowered my head, and smiled faintly.
At that moment, I suddenly felt that loving Ezra was too tiring, and I did not want to continue loving him.
I pushed him away at once and struck Heidi across the face.