What mattered was Naomi's surgery.
In Leonard's eyes, my breast was Naomi's entry ticket—her one shot at keeping her place at Provincial General Hospital.
"Go take a shower. Don't catch a cold."
"These next few days, take care of yourself. No colds. No fevers."
He gave me another push.
Naomi smiled from the side of the room, chiming in helpfully with one pre-surgery reminder after another.
"Leo, I'm hungry…"
"I want your plum-glazed ribs."
Naomi's wheedling voice drifted from behind me, followed by the low, indulgent murmur of Leonard's reply.
My feet felt like they'd been filled with lead.
Eight years together—and I didn't know Leonard could cook until Naomi came back.
The day she returned to the country, Leonard brought her straight to our place.
I'd thoughtfully booked a restaurant ahead of time, but Naomi pouted, "I want to eat Leo's cooking"—and just like that, my reservation meant nothing. Leonard was already in the kitchen.
Eight dishes. Three hours.
The last one was the plum-glazed ribs.
"All those years abroad, your cooking is what I missed the most."
"Leo, you haven't forgotten your promise to me, have you?"
Leonard took off his apron and wiped his hands. "How could I forget the princess's wishes?"
"I've never cooked for anyone else. Ask Constance if you don't believe me. She didn't even know I could cook!"
They both laughed, and Leonard reached over to ruffle Naomi's hair.
At the table, I sat across from Naomi, wishing I could crawl into a hole and never come out.
They talked and laughed the whole evening. I couldn't have gotten a word in if I'd tried.
After my shower, the cloying sweetness of plum and braised pork hit me the moment I stepped out.
"Connie, come eat!"
Naomi was sitting next to Leonard, waving me over.
I glanced at their shoulders pressed together and managed a thin smile.
There was no place for me at that table.
"No, thanks."
"I'm not hungry."
I turned back toward the bedroom, only to find it filled with someone else's things.
"What is this?"
Leonard didn't even look up. "Oh, Naomi's place has a leak."
"She's staying here for a while."
"Once you've had your surgery and recovered, she'll move out."
The hand gripping my towel wouldn't stop shaking. When I spoke, the words came out cracked.
"Leonard, this is our shared condo."
Every word landed heavy and raw.
But Leonard didn't hear it.