He was unwilling to get a divorce, so we didn't reach an agreement.

My father said I needed to talk it through with Maurice.

Thus, I returned with Maurice first.

I started to give him the silent treatment for the first time.

That night, he returned home drunk.

Even so, his eyes were sparkling like stars, full of gentleness.

As he looked at me without blinking, I couldn't stand such deep affection.

I was reluctant to look at him, but he didn't allow it and held my face, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"I miss you so much, Ree."

"But I don't."

I replied nonchalantly.

He instantly revealed a delighted smile, cuddled me, and kissed me on the forehead and the cheek.

"My dear Ree, Please don't be angry with me anymore!"

...

9

In the early morning, his phone rang again.

I was certain the call that could come to him at this time was not for business.

He rejected it over and over again. Several times later, he got impatient. He put his phone down and went straight to the bathroom.

I had to admit that my intuition was sensitive as a woman.

The phone began vibrating again.

I picked it up.

"Hello, I'm Irene Quinn, Maurice Shannon's wife."

I spoke into the microphone in a frigid and distant tone in an attempt to make the caller understand that she had crossed the line.

However, the person on the other end of the line seemed not to hear and spoke merrily, "Maury, come and pick me up. I'm drunk...

"Maury, why did you disappear halfway through our drinking..."

I didn't hear what she said afterward.

It was because the owner of the phone got it back.

Maurice hung up without hesitation and said, "Don't listen to her nonsense."

I didn't know how to respond, but what I learned from Tina was that they drank together tonight.

Reluctant to argue with him, I lay down, staring blankly at the ceiling.

I didn't fall asleep until dawn.

Another day of sleeping in the same bed with him but dreaming different dreams.

10

Maurice got up before me. "Good morning, Ree."

Still immersed in thought, I couldn't be bothered to talk to him and just walked past him straight into the bathroom.

"Are you still mad at me, Ree?

"It's impossible for me to be with her. I just care about her as a friend. As you know, she is sick."

He held my hand, squeezing it gently. I knew I couldn't break free from his grip, so I didn't resist.

"So, please don't leave me, okay?"

He whispered in my ear and buried his head in my neck.